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A migraine headache is a severe pain felt on one, and
sometimes, both sides of the head. The pain is mostly in the front around
the temples or behind one eye or ear. Besides pain, you may have nausea and
vomiting, and be very sensitive to light and sound. Migraine can occur any
time of the day, though it often starts in the morning. The pain can last a
few hours or up to one or two days.
Types of Migrain:
There are many forms of migraine headache. But, two common forms are:
1- Classic migraine:
With a classic migraine, a person has these visual symptoms (also called an
“aura”) 10 to 30 minutes before an attack:
o sees flashing lights or zigzag lines
o has blind spots or loses vision for a
short time
The aura can include seeing or hearing strange things. It can even disturb
the senses of smell, taste, or touch. Women have this form of migraine less
often than men.
2- Common migraine:
With a common migraine, a person does not have an aura, but does have the
other migraine symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting.
What causes migraine?
One theory about the cause of migraine is the blood flow theory, which
focuses on blood vessel activity in the brain. Blood vessels either narrow
or expand. Narrowing can constrict blood flow, causing problems with sight
or dizziness. When the blood vessels expand, they press on nerves nearby,
which causes pain.
Another theory focuses on chemical changes in the brain. When chemicals in
the brain that send messages from one cell to another, including the
messages to blood vessels to get narrow or expand, are interrupted,
migraines can occur.
More recently, genes have been linked to migraine. People who get migraines
may inherit abnormal genes that control the functions of certain brain
cells. And something the person’s body is sensitive to in some way triggers
the actual headaches.
Some things are more common in people who have
them:
o Most often, migraine affects people
between the ages of 15 and 55.
o Many people have a family history of
migraine.
o They are more common in women.
o Migraine often becomes less severe and
frequent with age.
Migrain headache triggers:
Migrain headache can vary from person to person.
Many patients with migraine tend to have attacks brought on by:
o lack of food or sleep
o bright light or loud noise
o hormone changes during the menstrual
cycle
o stress and anxiety
o weather changes
o chocolate, alcohol, or nicotine
o some foods and food additives, such as
MSG or nitrates
To help pinpoint your headache triggers, it may be helpful to keep a
headache “diary.” Each time you have a migraine, write down the time of day,
point in your menstrual cycle, where you are at the time, and what you were
doing when the migraine started. Talk with your doctor about what sets off
your headaches to help find the right treatment for you. |
