Migraine Information and Tips

What is Migraine?

Migraine is often thought to be a simple headache. However it cannot be compared to a headache because the pain of migraine is by far more severe than a headache pain and it also lasts much longer. A migraines headache is characterized by a severe pain on both sides of the head. Also the causes of migraines are different.

A headache can most likely be directly related to an obvious trigger like a cold or flu, sometimes stress or lack of food.
Migraine however is a neurological abnormality in the brain due to a genetic mutation. That also means that migraine can be inherited from generation to generation. 

Migraine is referred to as vascular headache because it affects the brain’s blood vessels, also called vascular system. The pain starts when the blood vessels in the brain overreact to certain triggers.

People that suffer from severe migraines get attacks as often as several times a week. People with migraines also report an unusual sensitivity to light and sound. Patients often relate that before having a migraine attack they perceive difficulties in their vision.

A migraine attack can occur at any time, however some patients seem to be able to predict the occurrence of a migraine attack due to certain triggers. Possible triggers for an attack are stress, lack of sleep or food, certain food, most likely foods containing tyramine, longer exposures to light or hormonal imbalances.

Many women report migraines during their menstrual cycle. In fact, women suffer from migraines more frequently than men. Some women have their first migraine during pregnancy or when they first start taking the birth control pill. In connection with the birth control pill, women that are already affected by migraines seem to suffer from more frequent attacks.

What are the symptoms?

There are two types of migraines that are most prevalent, the classic migraine and the common migraine that occurs more frequent.

Classic migraines:

• perceiving an “aura” (flashing lights, loss of vision, zigzag lines) about 10-30 minutes before pain starts
• severe, pounding pain; starts in the forehead, ear or around the eye of one side of head and eventually spreads to other side
• weakness of an arm or leg
• tingling of face or hands
• speech difficulty and confusion
• pain can last up to 2 days

Common migraines:

• sometimes perceiving light confusion, mood changes or fatigue before an attack
• possibly diarrhea, increased urination, nausea or vomiting
• pain can last up to 4 days

What happens during an attack?

The abnormality changes the blood flow causes biochemical changes in the body. The nervous system of the body reacts to certain triggers by causing spasms of the arteries in the brain. This spasm blocks the blood flow into the brain. The blocking of the arteries also causes blood clotting. This process releases the chemical serotonin that will constrict the arteries even more. Due to the lack of blood supply, the brain is lacking oxygen, which causes the mentioned symptoms of disturbed vision and speech deficiencies.

As consequence of the reduced oxygen in the brain, the arteries have to open wider to provide the brain with its energy needs. This widening will now also affect the arteries located in the neck and scalp. When the arteries widen our body produces a substance called prostaglandin, as well as chemicals that cause inflammation, swelling, and sensitivity to pain. All these substances and the widening of the arteries cause a throbbing, severe pain in the head.

How can migraines be treated?

Migraines cannot be cured, but there are treatments available for prevention and to relieve the pain.

Due to the numerous side effects of most migraine products, more and more people use natural alternatives as migraines treatment.