The Mechanism of Migraine
What is occurring physiologically as a migraine headache happens? It turns out the start of a migraine headache is in the brain stem. The brain stem is a small bit above the spinal cord, but underneath the cortex of the brain. The migraine “control center” in the brain stem emits signals to the blood vessels lining the brain, requesting these blood vessels to dilate and expand. In the process, pain signals are sent going back to the “control center”.
Migraine Symptoms
The ensuing is an incomplete list of migraine symptoms:
- Auras (light spots)
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Significant pain in the head
- Numbness
- Problems in speaking
- Throbbing or pulsing headache (mostly unilateral)
Migraine attacks often recur, and the symptoms will differ from person to person.
Migraine Triggers
Certain environmental triggers seem to produce a migraine attack. These triggers include certain foods, stressful lifestyles, and exposure to bright lights or loud sounds. Commonly, a few foods such as red wine, cheese, chocolate, meats cured with nitrates, and MSG can induce migraine headaches. Other triggers include anger and/or stress, too little sleep, menstruation, and weather changes. Withdrawal from caffeine and ergotamines can in addition cause migraine headaches. The reason why foods like cheese, chocolates and alcohols can lead to migraines is the occurrence of amines that act on the vascular system by causing venal constriction through release of catecholamines.
Migraine Treatments
There is a broad range of treatments for migraines. They vary from medications such as the triptans (sumatriptan, zolmitriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, almotriptan, frovatriptan) to consuming healthful foodstuffs, to avoiding certain stressful lifestyles to relaxation techniques. Migraine headache intensity varies from one individual to the next, and no clear cut remedy presently exists.
Specific prescription medications are able to ease the symptoms of migraines. These include Imitrex, Maxalt, Zomig, Relpax, Midrin, and Migranal. They exert their action by inducing cerebral vasoconstriction.
Some herbal remedies have been used. These include feverfew, chamomile, valerian, white willow and skullcap. These following supplements also might help individuals suffering from migraines:
- Coenzyme Q10
- Magnesium
- Multivitamins/multi-minerals
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin B2
To conclude, some further remedies include extra magnesium in one's diet, regular physical exercise, and relaxation techniques like yoga or transcendental meditation. Recently, a new form of migraine treatment called Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) has been developed. TENS sends a mild shock of electricity, precluding the body from receiving migraine pain signals.
Alternative Treatmnents
A few alternative treatments have proven effective. These include chiropractic manipulation, acupuncture and biofeedback therapy. Magnetic therapy moreover has been utilized with success. Magnetic therapy causes increased electrical activity in the brain. This increases neural conductivity which then stimulates within the brain the secretion of the hormones serotonin and melatonin. Serotonin controls moods and depression tendencies. Magnetic therapy treatment usually involves either:
- A magnetic pillow pad
- A magnetic head band
- A magnetic eye mask
A natural treatment technique includes using an ice pack on the back of the neck close to the base of the skull. This lessens the flow of blood to the head, resulting in less pressure in the head. Make sure there is a barrier between the ice pack and the skin, for example a wet cloth.
Migraine Compared to other Headaches
What is the difference between a migraine and a regular headache? Migraine headaches are for the most part one-sided, with concomitant nausea, decrease of appetite and vomiting. Frequently, light sensitivity accompanies the migraine headache. Contrast this with the conventional tension headache, which is distributed over the whole head. Also, the routine headache is not as extensive as a migraine headache. Migraine is better portrayed as a throbbing headache, whereas a tension headache merely has a dull, constant ache.
Different Types of Migraines
There are common migraines and classic migraines. Classic migraines start with a “aura” that involves changes in visual perception. The auras persist close to 10-30 minutes and are associated with flashing lights and/or colors, and possibly a temporary reduction of vision. You may feel a burning or peculiar prickly feeling, and maybe feel irritable and restless.
A common migraine doesn't involve an aura. A common migraine starts more slowly than a classic migraine and the pain may merely be unilateral. But then, a common migraine lasts longer than a classic one, and could interfere more extensively with your normal activities.
Migraine Complications
Most symptoms of migraines disappear after a few days. Providing migraines are left untreated, however, they can induce strokes, aneurysms, permanent vision loss, and even comas.
If you have an interest in migraine headaches, you may also want to look into What B Vitamins Are Good For Migraines or in addition ophthalmia migraines.
