Migraine Information

Migraine headaches are one of the most common problems seen in emergency departments and doctors’ offices. Migraines are due to changes in the brain and surrounding blood vessels.

Migraine headaches typically last from 4-72 hours and vary in frequency from daily to less than 1 per year. Migraine affects about 15% of the population. Three times as many women as men have migraines. More than 80% of people with migraines (called migraineurs) have other members in the family who have them too.

Different types of migraine headaches
o Common migraine accounts for 80% of migraines. There is no “aura” before a common migraine.
o People with classic migraines experience an aura before their headaches. Most often, an aura is a visual disturbance (outlines of lights or jagged light images). Classic migraines are usually much more severe than common migraines.
o Status migrainosus is a migraine that does not go away by itself

Migraine Headache Causes
The exact cause of migraine headaches is not clearly understood, though experts believe they are due to a combination of the expansion of blood vessels and the release of certain chemicals, which causes inflammation and pain.

The chemicals dopamine and serotonin are among those involved in migraine. These chemicals are found normally in the brain and can cause blood vessels to act abnormally if they are present in abnormal amounts or if the blood vessels are unusually sensitive to them.
Various triggers are thought to bring about migraine in certain people prone to developing migraine. Different people may have different triggers:
Certain foods, especially chocolate, cheese, nuts, alcohol, and MSG, bring on headaches in some people. (MSG is a food enhancer used in many foods including Chinese food.)

Missing a meal may bring on a headache.
Stress and tension are also risk factors. People often have migraines during times of increased emotional or physical stress.
Birth control pills are a common trigger. Women may have migraines at the end of the pill cycle as the estrogen component of the pill is stopped. This is called an estrogen-withdrawal headache.
Smoking may cause migraines or interfere with treatment

Migraine Headache Symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person and from migraine to migraine. Five phases can often be identified:
Prodrome: A variety of warnings can come before a migraine. These may consist of a change in mood (for example, feeling “high,” irritable, or depressed) or a subtle change of sensation (for example, a funny taste or smell). Fatigue and muscle tension are also common
Aura: This is commonly a visual disturbance that precedes the headache phase. Some migraineurs develop blind spots (called scotomas); see geometric patterns or flashing, colorful lights; or lose vision on one side (hemianopsia).
Headache: Although migraine pain usually appears on one side of the head, 30-40% of migraines occur on both sides. Throbbing pain may be present. More than 80% of migraineurs feel nauseated, and some vomit. About 70% become sensitive to light (photophobia) and sound (phonophobia). This phase may last 4-72 hours.
Headache termination: Even if untreated, the pain usually goes away with sleep.
Postdrome: Other signs of the migraine (for example, inability to eat, problems with concentration, or fatigue) may linger after the pain has disappeared.
When to Seek Medical Care
Call a doctor if any of the following occur:
A change in frequency, severity, or features of the migraine commonly experienced

A new, progressive headache that lasts for days

A headache brought on by coughing, sneezing, bearing down, straining while on the toilet, and so on

Large, unintentional loss of body weight

Weakness or paralysis that lasts after the headache
Go to a hospital emergency department if any of the following occur:
Having the worst headache ever, especially if the headache came on very quickly

Headache associated with trauma to the head

Trauma to the head with loss of consciousness

Fever or stiff neck associated with headache

Decreased level of consciousness or confusion

Paralysis of one side of the body

Seizure
Self-Care at Home
Most migraineurs can manage mild-to-moderate attacks at home with the following strategies:
Using a cold compress to the area of pain

Resting with pillows comfortably supporting the head or neck

Resting in a room with little or no sensory stimulation (light, sound, odors)

Withdrawing from stressful surroundings

Sleeping

Drinking a moderate amount of caffeine

Trying certain over-the-counter headache medications

Tags: migraine headaches, migraine symptoms, migraine treatment, migraine triggers, Migraines, natural treatment, symptoms of migraines