Understanding Migraine Headaches

There are millions of individuals worldwide who suffer from migraine headaches on a regular (also referred to as chronic) basis. In fact, studies have shown that just within the United States alone nearly 30 million individuals suffer from migraine headaches and the symptoms that these migraine headaches produce. The problem with many of these individuals who suffer from migraine headaches is that many of them do not fully understand the causes, triggers, or warning signs, must less the different stages that take place during migraine headaches. All they know are the symptoms, and of course all these individuals want is for the symptoms of their migraine headaches to go away, and go away immediately without returning. However, in order for symptom reduction from migraine headaches to take place, first the individuals who suffer from migraine headaches must understand all the different aspects of migraine headaches in order to properly treat them.

Causes of Migraine Headaches
While there is still much research that is being done regarding migraine headaches, there are some risk factors, or causes, that many scientists and physicians believe to be the cause behind individuals experiencing migraine headaches. Some of these factors include:

• Family History – becomes a risk factor or cause because studies show that nearly 80% of those who suffer from migraine headaches come from a family of those who also suffer from migraine headaches.
• Gender – studies show that about 70% to 80% of those who suffer from migraine headaches will be females.
• Age – most occurrences of migraine headaches take place between he ages of 15 to 55. While migraine headaches to occur in children it occurs much less frequently, and studies show that if an individual is to experience a migraine headache the first attack will more than likely occur by the age of 40.
• Other Medical Issues – another common cause or risk factor to individual experiencing migraine headaches are other medical issues such as depression, anxiety, high blood pressure, stroke, or even epilepsy.

Triggers of Migraine Headaches
Triggers of migraine headaches can vary among individuals; however the most common triggers include hormonal changes, certain lighting, foods, as well as stress or caffeine. Most triggers of migraine headaches begin with a specific source (or combination of sources) that stem from physical, environmental, or physiological events.

Warning Signs of Migraine Headaches
Just as the triggers can vary among those who suffer from migraine headaches, so do the warning signs. However, the most common warning signs of migraine headaches include fatigue, depression, mood changes, obsessive yawning, irritability, drowsiness, as well as food cravings (especially cravings that are high in salt or sugar).

The Stages of Migraine Headaches
Another misunderstanding of migraine headaches concerns the four different stages that migraine headaches are broken down to. These stages of the migraine headaches are discussed below:
#1 Prodrome – the first of the stages of migraine headaches is the prodrome stage. During this stage symptoms that occur will usually appear anywhere from one to two days before the actual migraine attack takes place in full force. The symptoms that usually occur during this first stage of the migraine headaches include constipation, depression, diarrhea, food cravings (especially cravings that are high in sugar or salt), hyperactivity, irritability, as well as neck or back stiffness. However, some sufferers of migraine headaches may experience the opposite of these symptoms and will portray signs of giddiness, happiness, or be full of energy during the prodrome stage.
#2 Aura – the second of the stages of migraine headaches is generally defined as being visual in nature, however this stage can also involve sensory, motor, as well as verbal disturbances. The aura stage commonly lasts anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes. The symptoms associated with the aura stage comprise of visual occurrences (such as seeing various shapes, bright spots or flashes of light), loss of vision, sensations including pins and needles (usually in the arms or legs), as well as speech or language problems.
#3 Attack – the third of the stages of migraine headaches is the stage where the most pain and discomfort is felt by the migraine sufferer. Symptoms of this fourth stage include head pain (usually unilaterally and often either pulsating or throbbing in nature), sensitivity to light, sounds, and sometimes even smells, Vomiting, Nausea, Blurred Vision, Diarrhea, Lightheadedness, and sometimes even fainting. This stage can last anywhere from 2 – 71 hours in adults or 1-48 hours in children.
#4 Postdrome – the fourth stage of migraine headaches includes symptoms or feelings of the migraine sufferer being drained or washed out, reporting impaired thinking or concentration, mood changes, weakness, gastrointestinal symptoms, as well as experiencing tenderness in the head, neck, or stomach.

Tags: Drowsiness, migraine headache, migraine symptoms, migraine triggers, migraine warnings, Mood Swings, preemptinve warning sign