Turkish neurologist Mustafa Özdemir urges proper migraine treatment

Dr. Mustafa Özdemir, an associate professor at Fırat University Hospital, warned that migraine is a neurological disorder that should not be dismissed as a simple headache. He highlighted typical symptoms such as unilateral throbbing pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound, and stressed that frequent use of painkillers—more than ten days a month—can worsen the condition and lead to chronic headache. Özdemir recommended keeping a headache diary to track attack frequency, duration, and medication use, and advised patients to seek specialist care when migraines become severe or are accompanied by fever, neck stiffness, or weakness.

Similarly, Dr. Burcu Polat, a neurology specialist, emphasized that lifestyle factors—regular sleep, balanced nutrition, exercise, and stress management—can reduce migraine frequency and severity. She warned that over‑use of analgesics may provoke new headaches and encouraged non‑pharmacological treatments such as neuromodulation. Polat noted that migraine affects roughly one in five women and one in ten men, and that sustained lifestyle changes can improve quality of life for sufferers.