A to Z Disease

What Are Migraines?

Migraines are severe headaches, and may cause more than just pain in your head. Migraines can also bring on nausea, changes in vision and sensitivity to light and sound. Migraines can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days. While it's not fully understood what causes migraines, researchers are learning more and more about what happens inside the body when these headaches occur.

Migraines don't just affect adults. In fact, people who suffer from migraines usually develop the condition during childhood or adolescence. Those with a family of history of migraines are more likely to develop the headaches, and women are three times as likely as men to suffer.

What Happens When Someone Has a Migraine

It's believed the pain is triggered after a drop in the level of a chemical in the brain called serotonin. The drop in serotonin causes the nervous system to release other chemicals, called neuropeptides, which travel to the outer covering of the brain. These chemicals react with the blood vessels, causing them to dilate, or open wide. The widening of these blood vessels may create the pain associated with migraines. This may explain why many patients say they feel a throbbing pain. And, many times, migraine pain is only felt on one side of the head.

Types of Migraines

• Classic Migraines. With classic migraines, people may feel what's called a "prodrome," or premonition before the migraine attack. Auras are one type of premonition. They cause changes in sight and often come in the form of pulsating light, or blurred vision. They can start 15 minutes to an hour before a migraine, and may linger through and even after the headache. Other premonitions may also be felt in the days and minutes leading up to a migraine. These can include feelings of elation or intense energy, cravings for sweets, thirst, drowsiness, irritability or even depression.
• Common Migraines. These do not come with any premonition or warning sign.

Screening for Migraines

Your doctor will ask about your family and medical history, and may also run some routine tests. These may include an MRI or CT scan, which create images of the brain and other parts of the body.

Preventing Migraines

• Avoid Migraine Triggers. These can include a sensory stimulus like bright lights, sun glare, loud noises or even certain smells; and changes in the weather.
• Reduce Stress. Some people will get migraines when they are under heightened stress, while others may develop their migraines after going through a stressful period.
• Avoid Trigger Foods And Drinks. Common migraine trigger foods and substances include caffeine, MSG, alcohol (especially wine and beer) and certain seasonings and processed foods.
• Don't Smoke. Smoke has been known to trigger migraines.
• Understand Medications You're Taking. It's possible that these may be the cause of your migraines. Speak to your doctor before starting or stopping any medication.
• Hormonal Changes. This especially affects women. Migraines can occur around the menstrual cycle, during pregnancy and even at the time of menopause. Since birth control pills contain estrogen, these too may trigger migraines in some women. You can't control the natural hormones your body produces, but you can work with your doctor if you take birth control, or use a hormone replacement therapy.

Migraine Treatment

Medical Options

Medical options are classified into three categories: over-the-counter medications, prescription pain relievers and preventative medications. Remember, discuss potential side effects with your doctor.

• Aspirin and Ibuprofen. Aspiring and ibuprofen are considered non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be used also. These work well for occasional migraines, but if they're used frequently they may cause a side effect known as "rebound headaches." These are severe headaches that occur after the initial medication wears off.
• Triptans. These act like the serotonin chemical in your brain and constrict the blood vessels in the brain. These are best used before or just after the start of a migraine. Triptans can be taken as a pill, nasal spray or even an injection.
• Ergotamine Medications. These also constrict blood vessels in the brain, but can cause more side effects than the Triptans. They may only be used in certain patients.
• Preventative Medications can be prescribed if pain relievers don't work, or for people who suffer from frequent migraines. These medications are taken everyday, and come in these three classes:
• Beta Blockers. These are commonly used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease. But, they've been shown to reduce the frequency and severity of migraines.
• Antidepressants. These work by regulating the brain chemical serotonin. They can help individuals with migraines even if they aren't diagnosed with depression.
• Anticonvulsants. Also known as anti-seizure medications, these medications are used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder but have shown great success in preventing migraines.

Lifestyle Choices

• BioFeedback. This is a complementary therapy which can help reduce muscle tension and stress.
• Yoga. Yoga is a good option for calming the body, and helping to reduce stress.
• Massage and acupuncture have also been known to help.

Migraines can be treated better today than ever before. Know the signs and triggers of migraines and do your best to take early action against these headaches.