Headache and Migraine
MS patients are more likely to suffer from chronic headaches than the general population, and this is often the first indication of the disease. Migraines, clusters, and tension headaches are prevalent in MS patients, especially in women.
According to studies, brain lesions caused by MS are linked to an increased risk of migraines and tension headaches. Additionally, some patients report that migraines during MS relapse are the most debilitating symptom, lasting up to 72 hours. The postdrome phase occurs after a migraine episode has subsided and involves symptoms such as weariness, irritability, difficulty focusing, sensitivity to light and sound, and dizziness.
Cluster headaches often start with a sharp, stabbing pain in the corner of one eye or the side of one’s nose. Their durations vary from 15 minutes up to three hours. Lesions in the brainstem, specifically on the trigeminal nerve, have been associated with cluster headaches in people with MS. This type of headache shows pain resembling electric shocks in or behind the eye and often occurs persistently every day, usually at night.
Lastly, tension headaches typically last from 30 minutes to a whole day or even a week. It causes moderate or mild discomfort and feels like a tight pressure band above the eyebrows.
