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Posts Tagged ‘migraine’

A migraine is more than a headache – it’s the mother of all headaches (perhaps just behind ‘cluster’ headache, which must be the daddy!)

People often describe their bad headache as a migraine – but is it? Do they really know what a migraine is.

What can cause a migraine?

Symptoms of a migraine vary between individual sufferers, but usually involve a combination of the following effects: Distorted vision, blind spots or zig zag lines, a feeling of nausea, maybe even being sick, a headache, often to one side of the head. The pain can be severe. I have often described the headache as feeling as though I’ve been hit over the head with a baseball bat. Other symptoms include a dislike of bright lights and loud noise.

Another symptom I have suffered is a difficulty in thinking clearly – not being able to remember the names of people or even common everyday objects.

Symptoms can last from 2 to 12 hours for the majority of sufferers, although some people take literally days to recover.

Sleep can often be the only answer for many migraine sufferers. People fail to see why you can’t just carry on with a ‘headache’. If only they knew.

There are two types of migraine – classic which features the aura or distortion in vision, and common migraine which doesn’t. Migraine is more common in women with a quater of all women effected – only around one in twelve men suffer.

The frequency may vary from every couple of days to a couple of times a year.

The causes of migraine headache are not entirely understood, however it is believed to be connected to a series of triggers. It may well be that one trigger isn’t enough – a combination may be needed to set you off. I find that hunger along with stress is tempting fate. Others blame red wine, chocolate, cheese

I can tell when a migraine is coming from an almost instant blind spot appearing in my field of vision. Once this ‘aura’ starts, that’s it. I have to stop whatever I'm doing and cover my eyes. My aura usually lasts for about half an hour – then it’s over to the headache.

Well things are changing for me now.

I tried various things. paracetamol  which are of no use to me, migraleve, these might help – I was never really sure and my last medication was Imigran. This certainly cured the zig zag lines in my vision but actually made the headache worse. I stopped taking these as I found that I felt much rougher for a couple of days after. It was like waking up after a fight with Mike Tyson.

At last I have found a way to get rid of Migraines once and for all. You don't have to live with migraines ruling your life - a cure is available. Visit www.causeofmigraines.com to see what I found, you will be glad you did.

Go to relieve headache for more info about headache types and an updated version about causes of headaches

Although medical science has not yet found the exact cause of headaches, some of the most common causes can typically be blamed in the majority of cases.  Headaches are broken down into three basic categories.  A primary headache is something almost all people are familiar with.  Primary headaches constitute the vast majority of headaches, and are almost never life threatening.  Despite this frequency of occurence and a lack of life threatening danger, a primary headache can be very painful.  Cluster headaches are a far more serious form of headache, that although not life threatening, can cause debilitating pain.  Secondary headaches are sometimes a sign of a deeper neurological issue.

Most primary headaches are related to tension.  The muscles that surround the skull sometimes contract, putting too much pressure on the head.  This can be a significant source of pain.  Although the reasons for skull muscle contraction are difficult to ascertain, it is commonly seen as a result of emotional or physical stress.  Significant emotional stress usually leads to cranial pressure, and therefore a tension related headache.  Prolonged physical stress, such as hard manual labor that is engaged in for several hours, can also result in headaches caused by tension.

Cluster headaches happen less frequently, and usually only afflict a tiny segment of the population.  Patients typically see cluster headaches only in small time frames, thus the name “cluster” headache.  This can make prevention and treatment difficult.  When a cluster headache occurs, it can be accompanied by severe pain that focuses behind the eyes.  Water running from the eyes and nose are common with cluster headaches.  Treatment should be undertaken as soon as possible to bring the pain under control.

Secondary headaches occur as a symptom of a more serious problem.  This occurs on a far rarer basis than primary headaches.  A secondary headache can be indicative of internal bleeding in the brain, a tumor, or a malfunction of the brain.  Headaches that occur on a chronic basis should be cause for a check with the doctor.  Secondary headaches sometimes present with severe pain and sensory issues.

As migraine headaches strikes more and more individuals, research workers across the world are wrestling with hypotheses to aid explain the essential responsible factors. Today an estimated 30 million individuals in America are afflicted by migraines. While migraines could take place at any age, analyses expose that the disease usually strikes individuals between the age of 10 and 40. And more or less 75% of migraine sufferers nowadays are adult females.

Migraine trouble is caused by inflammation in the blood vessels and nerves near the brain. Although considerable research has been done, the precise cause of migraines is still a mystery story. Scientists think that the condition may result from a series of chemical reactions in the central nervous system because of modifications in the body or environment. Several reports likewise express that people afflicted with migraine troubles may have ancestral predisposition to triggers from their parents or grandparents. Research as well indicates that people with a single parent carrying migraines have a 50% chance of getting migraines.

There are several theories about the causes of migraines. The blood flow theory indicates that blood vessels narrow or expand. A narrowing of the blood vessels constricts blood flow, causing dizziness or troubles with vision. On the other hand, when blood vessels broaden they press the nerves adjacent and induce pain. Even a different theory centers on chemical substance changes in the brain where it is suggested that a suspension in the messages directed from one cell to another to narrow or expand blood vessels cause migraine. Lately, migraines have also been related to genes where analyses have shown that inheriting abnormal genes that master the functions of distinct brain cells can result in migraines.

Generally, migraines are grouped into 2 types – Classic Migraine and Common Migraine. In classic migraine, the individual gets optical symptoms (also known as ‘aura’) about 10 to 30 minutes before an attack. In average migraine there is no aura, but there are other symptoms comparable to nausea and vomiting. Migraines also affect women during menstrual shifts, and are believed to be hormone-related.

There is also a connection between migraine epileptic seizure disorders. The connection is highly apparent in migraine-triggered epilepsy. Migraines affect about 15% of the epileptic population.