Migraine Triggers And The Treatment Thereof

A migraine headache is caused by an enlargement of blood vessels that creates a series of chemicals to be released and attack arteries in the brain. Once the chemicals have been released to wreak their havoc, the enlarging of the arteries begins to send painful symptoms that only magnifies until the arteries have stopped expanding or migraine relief has been found.

What Is Causing Your Migraine?

For years, doctors and scientist have been trying to discover what causes some individuals to experience chronic migraines but have turned up empty handed. 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. For example: A women during her monthly menstrual could experience a decrease in estrogen affecting her normal blood levels resulting in the start of a Migraine also referred to as a menstrual migraine.

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.

Migraine 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.

Migraine Treatment

Migraine sufferers have several treatment options when looking to find relief from their migraine pain. Migraine sufferers must be careful when looking for a migraine treatment, if he or she is not careful they may stumble on a harmful treatment and find his or herself struggling with other complex health concerns. For a safe and effective migraine treatment plan consider the following treatment options:

Acupuncture

Acupuncture as a therapy originated as traditional Chinese medicine. Acupuncture is based on the premise that there are patents of energy that flow through the body are and essential to total body health. Acupuncture uses stimulation of specific acu-points on the skin by inserting needles that range in length from 1 cm to 10 cm. A typical treatment involves the use of 5 to 15 needles and the generally the acu-points vary during each treatment session.

Massage Therapy

The two main symptoms that are presented by the condition of Migraine are fatigue and pain. Massage therapy can aid in lessening both of these symptoms by helping the Migraine suffer to be able to experience less pain, obtain more sleep, and also to help relax some of the tightened and stiff muscles that can contribute too much of the pain. Research has proven that the use of massage therapy as a form of Migraine treatment can help Migraine sufferers experience deeper levels of sleep and lessen levels of pain and fatigue. The way that massage therapy accomplishes this is by using the different forms of massage to help oxygenate the body as a whole which can decrease the severity of symptoms that a Migraine sufferer will experience.

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