Is This a Migraine Headache?

A migraine headache is a very painful, throbbing orby creating spasms in the nerve-rich arteries at the
pulsating headache that tends to recur. It is oftenbase of the brain. The spasms constrict several
associated with nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light,arteries supplying blood to the brain, including arteries
sound, and smells. Hands and feet may feel cold andfrom the scalp and neck.As these arteries constrict,
sweaty and unusual odors may be intolerable.the flow of blood to the brain is reduced. At the
Migraines may disrupt your sleep and can causesame time, platelets clump together and release a
depression. Moving around can make the headachechemical called serotonin. Serotonin acts as a
feel worse. Attacks tend to become less severe aspowerful constrictor of arteries further reducing
the migraine sufferer ages.Migraines afflict about 24blood and oxygen supply to the brain. In reaction to
million people in the United States. They may occur atthe reduced oxygen supply, certain arteries within
any age, but usually begin between the ages of 10the brain dilate to meet the brain's energy needs.
and 40 and diminish after age 50. Some peopleThis dilation spreads, finally affecting neck and scalp
experience several migraines a month, while othersarteries. Some doctors believe this dilation causes the
have only a few migraines throughout their lifetime.pain of migraine.Another theory is, the headache may
Approximately 75% of migraine sufferers areresult from a series of reactions in the central
women.Migraine pain is often intensified by routinenervous system caused by changes in the body or in
physical activity, coughing, straining, or lowering thethe environment. There is often a family history of
head. The headache is often so severe that itthe disorder, suggesting that migraine sufferers may
interferes with daily activity and may awaken theinherit sensitivity to triggers that produce
person. The attack is debilitating, and migraineinflammation in the blood vessels and nerves around
sufferers are often left feeling tired and weak oncethe brain, causing pain.Triggers:A trigger is any
the headache has passed.Types of migraines:Therestimulus that initiates a process or reaction. Some
are many forms of migraine headaches. Migraines arethings are known to trigger a migraine or make it
classified according to the symptoms they produce.worse. If you are a migraine sufferer, you probably
The two most common types are migraine with auraalready know what stimulus triggers your
and migraine without aura. We will only referencemigraines.Common migraine triggers are:Alcohol
these two types of migraines in this article.The auraEnvironmental factors such as weather, altitude, time
is the occurrence of neurological symptoms 10-30zone changes
minutes before the classic migraine attack. You mayCaffeine (coffee, chocolate, some teas)
see flashing lights, zigzag lines, wavy images, orMonosodium glutamate (MSG - found in Chinese
hallucinations. Some migraine sufferers experiencefood)
temporary loss of vision. Other symptoms of classicNitrates (found in processed foods, hot dogs, bacon,
migraine include speech difficulty, confusion,etc.)
weakness of an arm or leg and tingling of face orGlare or flashing lights
hands.Non-visual auras include motor weakness,Hormonal changes in women (monthly periods, birth
speech or language abnormalities, dizziness, vertigo,control pills, estrogen therapy)
and tingling or numbness (parasthesia) of the face,Hunger and fasting
tongue, or extremities.Migraine with aura:The pain ofProblems with sleep - too much, too little or
a classic migraine headache (migraine with aura) isinterrupted
described as an intense throbbing or pounding felt inMedications (over-the-counter and prescription)
the forehead-temple, ear-jaw or around the eyes.Smells, fumes and odors (perfume, smoke, pet
The pain typically begins in a specific area on one sideodors, cleaning solvents)
of the head, then spreads and builds in intensity overStress, time pressure, hassles, major losses, anger,
1 to 2 hours and then gradually subsides. An attackarguments and conflict
usually lasts no more than 24 hours but, in someExcessive or constant noiseIt is almost impossible to
cases, may last two or more days.Migraine withoutavoid many of these triggers. Life has a way of
aura:Migraine without aura is the most common typehappening and many of these triggers are just a part
and may occur on one or both sides (bilateral) of theof life. It is possible to avoid the things we put in our
head. Fatigue, mood changes, mental fuzziness andbody but many of the triggers are going to occur no
fluid retention may be experienced the day beforematter how hard you try to avoid them. Trying to
the headache. With this type of migraine headacheavoid them could be a trigger itself.
usually come abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea,So what are you going to do?If you are looking for
vomiting, and sensitivity to light (photophobia).Botha natural way to end your migraines, I have found a
types of migraines can strike as often as severalproduct that will help with your migraines, Nexoprin.
times a week or rarely as once every few years.Visit All Natural Cures and get your health back. All
People who have migraines on rare occasions maysafe, natural cures and home remedies.About this
confuse them with symptoms of the flu. If you haveauthor: Margaret Albright is a student of Naturopathy
regular weekly or monthly migraines, you definitelyand an editor for the website All Natural Cures |
know you have a migraine.What CausesHome Remedies and More ( - All safe, natural cures
Migraines?The cause of migraine is still widelyand home remedies. Take control of your health
unknown. Some doctors think migraines may beTODAY! Pick up our RSS feed.[Re-print of this article
caused by a chemical or electrical problem in certainis permitted if the following conditions are met: Please
parts of the brain. A key element of a migraineinclude About this author information with a clickable
headache is blood flow change in the brain. Accordinglink to All Natural Cures diligently pursues copyright
to this theory, the nervous system responds to ainfringement.
trigger such as stress, (see more on triggers below),