Migraines And What Causes Them

A migraine is a long lasting condition described by persistent moderate to severe headaches time and again in connotation with a number of autonomic nervous system symptoms. Symptomatically the headache is unilateral which means that it is affecting only one half of the head. Migraines characteristically are pulsating in nature, lasting from 2 to 72 hours. Other than pain on one side of the head with migraines the other associated symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, photophobia which is increased sensitivity to light, phonophobia which means amplified sensitivity to sound. Some migraine sufferers say that the pain is commonly aggravated by physical activity; stress and alcohol can also intensify the already severe pain of a migraine. Research shows that up to one-third of the individuals with migraine headaches notice an aura which is described as a transient visual, sensory, language, or motor disturbance which signals that the headache will soon occur.

What causes them?

Migraines are thought to be due to a combination of environmental and genetic factors; however what causes a Migraine for one person may not trigger one in another. Many believe that fluctuating hormone levels can also play a part; migraine affects slightly more boys than girls before puberty, but then about two to three times more women than men. Research shows that migraines do run in families in about two-thirds of cases and rarely occur due to a single gene defect. Several psychological conditions are also associated including depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder as are many biological events or triggers. Other changes that can prompt a migraine attack are the changes in sleep patterns, missing meals, as well as exercise or additional physical stress. Migraine headaches can also be triggered by certain foods. A few of the most common foods that can activate a migraine attack are pretty much any type of processed, fermented, pickled, or even marinated foods, likewise foods that contain monosodium glutamate; which is usually denoted as MSG. In the same manner baked goods, chocolate, nuts, peanut butter, and dairy products can also be causes for migraines. As well as, foods containing tyramine, which includes red wine, aged cheese, smoked fish, chicken livers, figs, and certain beans are also among some of the migraine triggers. Dehydration is also a more common, yet very often overlooked cause of migraines.

Some individuals can be more at risk to dehydration than others, and it is something so many often overlook as a probable reason for migraines. Both alcohol and caffeine can be dehydrating, so there is a great need to be careful to consume enough liquids that don’t contain them; therefore water is always a better source of hydration. Alcohol, stress and anxiety, certain odors or perfumes, loud noises or bright lights, and smoking can all be great sources for migraine attacks. As states above some of the most common triggers for migraines are stress, hunger, and fatigue however these by the same token contribute to tension headaches as well.

Hormonal And Genetic Concerns

As believed shifting hormones can lead to migraines, hence migraines are more likely to occur around menstruation. Other hormonal influences, such as menarche, oral contraceptive use, pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause, also play a role. These hormonal influences seem to play a greater role in migraines without aura though. Migraines characteristically do not occur during the second and third trimesters or after menopause. One other cause of migraines is the changes in weather or the changes in barometric pressure this is a very common trigger and unfortunately, one that can’t really be avoided. While research has yet to reveal the exact known mechanisms of migraines so they are still not known. It is, however, assumed to be a neurovascular disorder. The key philosophy is associated to amplified impulsiveness of the cerebral cortex and anomalous control of pain neurons in the trigeminal nucleus of the brainstem. Doctors used to believe migraines were linked to the opening and narrowing of blood vessels in the head. Now they believe the cause is related to genes that control the activity of some brain cells. Medicines can help prevent migraine attacks or help relieve symptoms of attacks when they happen. Since anxiety or stress is considered one of the chief sources of migraines for many people, treatments to relieve stress have been proved to help most.

Tags: aura, cause of migraines, enlarged blood vessels, genetics, Hormonal, menstration, migraine, migraine triggers, stress, Weather