Observations on the treatment of an acute attack of migraine.
In 1976, 310 patients attended the Princess Margaret Clinic for treatment of an acute headache. 90% were either symptom-free or had only slight residual headache after 4 h. The treatment given was metaclopramide and an effervescent analgesic. 69% of patients had some form of sedation and 10% ergotamine tartrate. Those patients who had treatment between 6 and 12 h following the onset of an attack had significantly fewer attacks in the next 7 days. Patients who slept during an attack, with a sedative where indicated, recovered more quickly than those who did not sleep. The depth of sleep did not affect the rate of recovery. A higher percentage of patients with migraine compared with those with tension headache were either symptom-free or had only slight residual headache on leaving.
D000208:Acute Disease; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003975:Diazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004878:Ergotamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008787:Metoclopramide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D012146:Rest; D012890:Sleep
D000700:Analgesics; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D008787:Metoclopramide; D004878:Ergotamine; D003975:Diazepam