Diagnosis And Possible Explanations

Migraines are not an exact science, research evolving around the topic of migraines is constantly being unveiled and new information is then tested to see if accurate. The diagnosis of migraines is often done by the symptoms of a migraine; when migraine symptoms are felt often enough to warrant concern or remark. Another clue as to whether or not the pain being felt in your head has to do with a migraine is if you fall into any of the common risk factors for migraines such as your gender, age and family history.

Headaches and migraines tend to follow a pattern so if you are or have experienced symptoms not common to headaches or migraines such as a loss of hearing, vision or any other sensory issue seek medical attention to insure that nothing more complex is going on in your nervous system.

Through clinical studies and research, doctors and scientist have come to understand that though they are unable to pinpoint exact cause’s biological events may play a role in the development of a migraine.

Migraines can be triggered and if knowledge exists of what triggers the onset of migraine possible migraine prevention could occur. Migraine triggers differ from person to person as well as from male to female. A migraine trigger could be influenced by one’s environment or any physiological upset that can lead to the onset of a headache; those who are prone to headaches are more susceptible. Migraine triggers are difficult to distinguish and very few migraine sufferers are aware that they even exist.

Take note of the migraine triggers listed below, clinical studies have shown that the triggers listed are common ones that if aware of could help lessen the debilitating effect a migraine could have. Possible Triggers:

• Stress
• Sleep – one’s sleep habits have much to do  with migraines, whether it be: sleep deprivation, too much sleep or broken   up sleep they are all connected to headaches. Studies have shown that when   sleep habits are improved migraine headaches are less current and have  shorter duration.
• Fasting – caution should always be had when headache prone individuals take to fasting. A lack of nutrients to the  body can reduce blood sugar levels setting off a series of stress-related   hormones.
• Hormones – for women who experience migraines  once a month around the time of their menstrual may be aware of menstrual  migraines and how they can affect functionality. Some women during their  monthly cycle lose estrogen and the loss of estrogen sets off a chemical  imbalance and the result is a migraine.
• Lighting – lighting has been known to enhance mood and is often used as a mood enhancer however, flashing, bright high  intensity and visually stimulating light sources can be a factor in  developing painful migraine symptoms.
• Smells – cigarette smoke
• Alcohol – Tyramine is a chemical found in  wine that has been proven to activate a migraine quicker than if no  alcohol was used.
• Foods
  • Aged cheese
  • Chocolate
• Caffeine – often used to help improve energy  levels can have the reverse effect on headache prone people. Caffeine in  small doses may have little effect on migraine sufferers but if  overindulgence is had one can expect regular migraines.

Risk Factors

Migraines, we have learned, can be triggered by one’s environment or a physiological change, now we are going to go a step further and talk about common risk factors. Migraine headaches can happen to anyone; however, there are factors that play a part in increasing the risk of some individuals such as:

Gender – out of the millions of people that suffer with migraines 18% of the migraine sufferers are women. This statistic is not limited to the United States only but relevant to women across the globe. During childhood or adolescents, the frequencies of migraines between sexes were not that different but a drastic increase in migraine headaches in females become apparent as they neared puberty.

The reason being that as a female enters puberty her hormone levels especially her estrogen levels. It is common for women to complain of migraines during her monthly menstrual, these headaches are often referred to as menstrual migraines.

Age – one’s age can be a risk factor, if you are between the ages of 15 and 55 you are still in an age group where migraine headaches can be common occurrences. During childhood, migraines are less frequent but not nonexistent. Research has shown that children who suffer from migraines typically will grow out of them as they age, unless other factors are involved.

Family Genetics – a rather large statistic says that those individuals that come from a family history of migraine sufferers will most likely be at risk of suffering from chronic migraines as well.

Medical Concerns – men and women that have a history of medical concerns such as depression, anxiety, stroke, epilepsy and high blood pressure are more susceptible to migraines than people who have not suffered with any of the listed medical concerns.

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