So many people spend their health gaining wealth, and then have to spend their wealth to regain their health. A.J. Reb Materi, Our Family
What is a Migraine Headache?
One typical migraine symptom is intense pulsing pain that occurs near the temple area on one side of the person's head. There are many other symptoms that accompany migraines that you should be aware of. Sensitivity to sound and light, nausea, and vomiting are all fairly common symptoms associated with migraines.
Over 28 million Americans suffer from migraine, nearly 10% of the population. It inflicts women three times more than men, but children and adolescents can experience them as well. Despite its commonality, nearly half never see a physician about the condition. Attacks last anywhere from a few hours to three full days, and with longer attacks victims suffer subsidiary effects for longer periods.
The exact causes of migraines aren't known. For many years it was suspected they were the result of dilation of blood vessels, but contemporary research leans to other explanations. Though there's no general consensus, many researchers believe the condition is a genetic disorder, affecting how certain brain chemicals (neurotransmitters such as serotonin) interact with nerve cells.
A puzzling condition, the complexity is increased by the fact that migraines come in two different types. The first type, the so-called 'classical migraine', is associated with something professionals term an 'aura'. Nothing to do with mystical fields around the body, it refers to the symptoms sufferers experience before the onset of a migraine.
For these migraine victims, it's common to have visual hallucinations such as seeing bright spots, flashing lights or even to suffer loss of vision. Once they occur, the migraine is usually not far behind. When these pre-cursor symptoms are absent, the sufferer fits in the second class of migraine cases.
What brings on migraines is equally complex and at least as mysterious. Those who have experienced lack of sleep can be at higher risk, though getting too much sleep has been correlated with a higher incidence. Attacks are often associated with eating certain foods, such as cheese, while skipping meals increases the risk, as well. Getting that balance right is a continual challenge.
Certain hormonal factors are believed to influence the onset and severity of attacks. One piece of evidence is the much higher incidence among women than men, roughly 17% as opposed to 6% according to one study. In addition, studies have shown a connection between contraceptive pills and migraines. Estrogen is a component of birth control pills and affects blood vessels.
Simple everyday activities, such as walking up stairs or other intensive physical exertion, can trigger an attack. Other triggers can involve extreme heat or cold, loud noises or flickering lights. Stress is a factor. Often, migraines occur more frequently when there is a combination of these triggers. Keeping a diary of when attacks occur, and the internal and external circumstances at the time, can help sufferers make lifestyle changes.
Migraine sufferers have many more treatment options today than they did in the past. Even with the different treatment available options, there has been no one treatment that has proven to be a cure. Acetaminophen can be effective in some cases. Triptans as well as other prescribed medicines are effective in more difficult to treat cases.
For many years it was believed that common headaches were caused by tension.
Extra trains add to traffic headaches (The State)
Feel like youve been stuck at train tracks in downtown Columbia a little more than usual this week? It might not be your imagination. Five more trains were traveling through the area Thursday, after several inches of rain in the Hamlet, N.C., area forced them to be rerouted, CSX spokesman Gary Sease said. Some drivers, like Columbia resident Kim Roper, said that translated into longer waits. ...
Housing Headaches Hit Ohio Congressional Race (WTOV 9 Steubenville)
In a congressional district in which three-bedroom, single-family homes are being auctioned off for as little as ,000, the two candidates for the U.S. House square over sinking property values. And they each say the other is fattening his war chest while the district suffers.
Botox Boosts Allergan (Forbes)
The drugmaker's shares soared on the news that its anti-wrinkle injection may also relieve headaches.
Botox Maker: Anti-Wrinkle Drug Great For Headaches (CBS4 Miami)
Drugmaker Allergan said Thursday it has new evidence that its injectable drug can help relieve migraine headaches. Based on preliminary results from two company-funded studies, Allergan said it will ask the Food and Drug Administration to approve Botox for chronic migraine next year.
In fact, headache is one of the chief symptoms of the condition. Gastrointestinal bleeding, stomach upset and other common conditions are likely for some, unlikely for others. In some cases that prevention may take the form of lifestyle adjustments. As a result, constricting the blood vessels may be only attacking a peripheral issue and the potential side effects may represent an unnecessary risk. In the majority of cases, draining the excess mucus will reduce the inflammation and relieve the associated headache pain.
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