Migraine information
Migraines are an insidious and painful process and they should not be confused
with the more common types of headaches, such as tension headaches or sinus
headaches. The word process was used above deliberately because migraines are
not a disease; they are a process where one internal manifestation leads to
another and then to another and so one until the pain becomes excruciating.
The truth is that no one knows exactly what causes migraines, and there is no sure-fire cure that works on everyone. The symptoms that one migraine sufferer may experience may not match those of another sufferer. Migraine headaches can be as unique as the individuals who suffer from them, and this makes these types of headaches very hard to understand and to treat.
At times, you might hear migraine headaches referred to as vascular headaches. Vascular is a word that is used to refer to the blood vessels, and in the case of migraines, it is the blood vessels that are located in the head that are in question. When blood vessels constrict (become smaller) or dilate (become larger) they can cause pain. However, most experts agree that the constriction or dilation of blood vessels is just one factor that can lead to a migraine attack. For most migraine sufferers, it is over dilation that causes the pain. This increased dilation of the blood vessels does not just happen.
Migraines are often brought on by what are called "triggers". These triggers may be certain foods, certain light levels, drastic and sudden changes in ambient temperature such as moving from a hot outdoor environment to a cool indoor environment. The list of possible triggers is long, and not every trigger will bring about a migraine to all people who encounter the trigger. In other words, triggers are usually specific to the individual person. But even this can be somewhat ambiguous because triggers can change within the person as well. What this means is that what was not a trigger in the past may become a trigger in future. It is important to keep in mind that nearly all people who suffer from migraines will have at least one trigger.
Migraines are also believed to be genetic or hereditary in nature. There is a lot of evidence to support this belief. Well over half of the people who suffer from migraines also have a close relative such as a parent or sibling who suffers from migraines too. There is also evidence that migraines occur more often in women than they do in men. In fact, it has been suggested that 70% of migraine sufferers are women. Studies are currently underway to try to identify the possible reasons for this higher occurrence. Some research has suggested that the cause may be linked to hormone levels in women or to the use of birth control pills which affect the menstrual cycle.
Menopause, birth control medications, pregnancy, menstrual cycles, and certain replacement therapies of hormones have been studied and found to be links to migraines in women. The conclusion of many of these studies is that hormone variations may be a causal factor to migraines. There are also studies which suggest that lower estrogen levels may be a definitive factor in why women get migraines so much more often than men.
There are two basic types of migraines: the classic and the common. The so-called common type of migraine may begin as a somewhat dull or non-throbbing headache. It will gradually increase until it becomes an excruciating and throbbing pain. Those who suffer from this type of migraine will often feel nauseous and have a lower tolerance to light.
The so-called classic type of migraine is a bit different. It begins with the famous aura that you have probably heard about. These auras can take many forms and may present themselves as a halo or as flashing lights. The interesting thing about auras is that the person actually sees the flashing lights or objects. Once the aura has taken place the person will begin to feel numb on one side of his or her face. The pain will begin slowly but build as time passes. These headaches can last from a few hours to a week.
The prevention and treatment of migraines are two areas of study that are in constant flux. The simple truth is that no one knows how to prevent all migraines in all sufferers. The same is true for treatment options. What works for one person may not work for the next person. This does not mean that there are no regimes available for prevention or treatment it simply means that each person will have to find what works and what does not work.
As you might imagine, persons who suffer from migraines also suffer in other areas of their lives as well. Migraine sufferers will often have to miss work or leave work when an attack takes place. This can cause huge problems not only with their employers but also with their pay. The problematic issues with migraines will also follow the person home where they must all but seclude themselves from their family and friends. Family members and friends often feel helpless as there is very little they can do to relieve the suffering of the person other than to leave them alone in a dark and quiet room. The impact of migraines, as you can see, goes far beyond the person who is having them.
If the subject of migraines sounds confusing to you, it is because it is confusing. Migraines have plagued mankind since there was a mankind, and over the years hundreds of studies have been conducted, all hoping to come to some concrete conclusions about this malady. There have been some breakthroughs, and more is known today about migraines than ever before, but there is still much that is unknown.