What Are Migraines?

Article by Donald Saunders.

Migraines trouble women about 3 times more often than men and migraines are not restricted to adults with a sizeable number of children experiencing them as well. A migraine attack lasts anywhere from a just few hours to several days and with longer attacks victims commonly have secondary effects for much longer. Despite the fact that migraine headaches are so common close to half of all victims never see a doctor about the condition.

A frequent symptom of a migraine is an acute and throbbing pain to one side of the head which is often localized in the region of the temple. This pain is also frequently accompanied by other symptoms like nausea and vomiting and sensitivity to light and noise.

Just what causes migraines is not known and, in spite of the fact that for a long time it was thought that they were the result of a dilation of the blood vessels, contemporary research now favours other explanations. As well, In spite of the fact that there is no general consensus of opinion, many researchers believe that the migraine is a genetic disorder that affects the way in which some brain chemicals like serotonin interact with the nerve cells.

The complexity in solving the mystery of migraine headaches is amplified by the fact that migraines come in two different types.

The first form is known as 'classical migraine' and is linked with something which professionals call an 'aura'. This has nothing to do with mystical fields surrounding the body but refers to the symptoms experienced by sufferers before the arrival of a migraine headache. For these migraine victims it is normal to have visual hallucinations like bright spots and flickering lights or even to suffer loss of vision just before the onset of a migraine headache.

When these visual symptoms are absent victims are said to suffer from the second class of migraine headaches.

Striving to pin down precisely what causes migraine headaches is anything but simple although data collected over the years could point to the final answer. For example, individuals who do not get enough sleep can be at greater risk, as are individuals who experience too much sleep which has been correlated with a greater incidence. Attacks are also commonly associated with eating certain food items such as cheese and to missing meals.

Many researchers also consider that various hormonal factors influence the start and severity of migraine attacks and one piece of evidence for this is the much higher incidence of migraine headaches among women than men. In fact, one particular study reported an incidence of 17% in men as opposed to only 6% in men. In addition, studies have shown a link between the contraceptive pill and migraines and we known that Estrogen, which is a main component of birth control pills, has an effect upon blood vessels.

But the list of triggers does not end here and many everyday activities like walking up stairs or more intensive physical activity can trigger an attack, as can stress, extremes of heat and cold and loud noises and flashing lights. It has also been noted that migraine headaches occur more often when there is a combination of these triggers at work.

Fortunately, there are a variety of medical treatments available, although none has been shown to be overwhelmingly effective in all cases, and writing a diary of when attacks occur will often help you to identify lifestyle changes that might help in curing migraines. If changes to your lifestyle alone do not do work then there are various medications that your doctor can prescribe.

print