THE HISTORY OF MIGRAINE

Migraine dates back to the very origins of mankind

Migraine is one of the most interesting illnesses to study, known since the dawn of time, having accompanied mankind throughout its history. The majority of great medical thinkers have expressed opinions about it, something which does not happen with other illnesses.

The development of migraine through time In the Archean Era, headache was known only too well, and it was accredited with having a supernatural explanation: possession by an evil being. Trepanation was one of the home remedies used at that time to exorcise the diabolic spirit. The Greeks also considered headache to be the result of possession, and Hippocrates was the first to recommend bleeding as a treatment. In the Roman Empire, the use of opium as an analgesic began.

In the Middle Ages, the classical teachings were discarded and the hypothesis on the supernatural origins of illnesses resurfaced.

In the Arab culture of Andalusia from the 9th to the 13th century, medicine was once more steered towards the path of natural science, and it was at this point that some of the causes of migraine were established.

In more recent times, migraine has been linked to personalities such as:

- Thomas Willis, considered to be the founder of neurology in the 17th century, and author of the first modern monograph on migraine.
- Samuel Tissot, who continued to recommend bleeding.
- Edward Flateau, who advocated the use of arsenic and other metals, until the ergotamines appeared.

Anecdotes related to migraine

Isabel de Valois, the young and loving wife of Felipe II, died as a result of the bleeding to which she was subjected in an attempt to palliate the frequent migraines from which she suffered throughout her life. The Greek god Zeus suffered a violent headache, which forced Hefesto (Vulcan) to open his cranium with an axe, so that Palas Atenea could be born.