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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.

But how exactly those conditions translate into something we perceive as pain is still a matter of leading edge research.



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.
Attacks can last as 'short' as a few hours, to as long as a few days or more. Anti-serotonin medications are another possible treatment. But the search for an answer continues. In the case of severe, repeated headache episodes - since the condition is often neurological at base - it is, unfortunately, often necessary to seek the advice of one or more specialists. Obtaining as much information from the patient and tests is the best way to properly diagnose the headache.