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.
There are things that expectant mothers can do during the entire pregnancy to minimize discomfort.
NuPathe Reports Positive Phase I Results For NP101, A Novel Transdermal Patch For Acute Migraine
NuPathe Inc., a privately held specialty pharmaceutical company developing innovative products for the treatment of neurological and psychiatric diseases, announced positive Phase I results for NP101, a novel drug-device patch for acute migraine in clinical development.
Migraine Research Foundation Announces Winners Of Grants To Spur Innovation In Migraine Research
The Migraine Research Foundation (MRF), the largest nonprofit funder of migraine research in the United States, today announced the winners of its second round of grants intended to spur innovation in migraine research. The grants totaled 0,000. The grantees were screened by MRF's medical advisory board, which is composed of leading scientists and clinicians from across the country.
Canadian Scientists Report On Pain Research At NIDCR's 60th Anniversary Symposium
Nearly everyone has experienced the acute, short-lived pain that occurs after a mild injury, but recent surveys reveal that more than 20% of the population has a chronic pain condition (i.e., pain that has lasted for 3 months or more) and for which treatment is often not very effective (e.g., low back pain, fibromyalgia, migraine headaches). Acute and chronic pain conditions have huge socio-economic costs.
A regular exercise program keeps muscles strong, less prone to spontaneous tensing and encourages good blood flow. But aspirin and ibuprofen are to be avoided. Much like triptans, Ergots are a class of compounds that are technically known as 5-HT1B/1D agonists. A healthy diet works together with regular exercise to keep your body in top shape.
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