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.
Some contain alcohol, which can make you drowsy but actually worsen a headache.
MAP Pharmaceuticals Initiates Phase 3 Clinical Trial In Patients With Migraine
MAP Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: MAPP) announced it has initiated its Phase 3 clinical program to evaluate MAP0004 as a potential treatment for migraine. MAP0004 is orally inhaled and self-administered at home using MAP Pharmaceuticals' proprietary Tempo(R) inhaler. In the company's prior Phase 2 efficacy study, MAP0004 provided pain relief in as fast as 10 minutes, with relief sustained through at least 24 hours.
Medtronic Announces First Clinical Data On Occipital Nerve Stimulation For Chronic Migraine
Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT) announced that data from a multicenter, prospective, randomized, singleblinded, Controlled investigational study using its neurostimulation system to stimulate the occipital nerves as a potential approach to treating medically refractory chronic migraines will be presented during a late-breaking session at the annual scientific meeting of the American Headache Society (AHS) tomorrow in Boston.
Lyme-Like Illness To Be Studied In Texas
Tao Lin, D.V.M., and Steven J. Norris, Ph.D., both with the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, have been named grant recipients of the Norman Hackerman Advanced Research Program (ARP) by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
Life-factors, such as moving to a new town, work or relationship stress and others can produce headaches. Migraine sufferers have many more treatment options today than they did in the past. A healthy diet works together with regular exercise to keep your body in top shape. Since they tend to be roughly the same from one person to another, that forms an objective group of symptoms that professionals can rely on to form a proper diagnosis. Pregnant women in particular should pay close attention to diet and medications consumed.
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