Trying To Unravel The Migraine Mystery

Migraines can attack anyone at any time regardless of age. For decades medical professionals have studied the migraine condition and have looked for answers surrounding the migraine mystery and possible causes, however they have not been able to pinpoint the exact cause for migraines. Through clinical studies and research, doctors and scientist have come to understand that 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.

Possible Migraine Triggers

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.

• 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 For The Migraine Prone Individual

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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