A migraine headache is characterized by an acute throbbing sensation that is usually located on one side of your head, near the temple. Migraines can also be accompanied by other symptoms, such as sensitivity to light, noise, nausea, and vomiting. Migraines affect approximately 10% of the US population, or more than 28 million Americans.
Did You Know?
They are more common in women than in men, with three times the number of migraines in women. Sometimes, they can also occur in children. Migraines are very common and can be extremely painful. Attacks can last from a few hours up to two or three days. Only about half of migraine sufferers consult their doctor. The rest choose to suffer in silence.
Although it was believed that migraines were caused by dilation of blood vessels in the head, medical opinion seems to be shifting away from this theory and pointing to a genetic cause. The current theory is that the condition is caused by the interaction of certain brain chemicals such as serotonin with nerve cells. We don’t know the exact cause of migraines at this time.
Types
There are two types of migraines. The first is called ‘classical’ and is characterized with an associated aura. The term “aura” is used to describe visual light effects that occur immediately before the onset of headaches. These include flashing lights and bright light spots. A few people may experience complete vision loss for a few minutes prior to the headache. The second type of migraine is a migraine that does not have the ‘aura’ symptoms.
We don’t know what causes migraines, and we don’t know what triggers them. However, there are many factors that can trigger attacks in sufferers. One factor is too much sleep, as well as skipping meals and eating certain foods like cheese. The severity and onset of attacks can also be affected by hormonal factors. One example of this is the higher incidence in women of migraines. This is due to estrogen’s effect on blood vessels.
Hormonal Factor
Some studies have also shown a link between migraine headaches and the contraceptive pill, which contains estrogen. To confuse things, studies have shown that even simple activities such as walking up stairs can trigger migraine headaches. There are many medical treatments that can be used today, but not all of them have been proven to work. However, over-the-counter medication are rarely effective. If you suffer from migraines, it is best to consult your doctor to find a solution.
