Migraines are a type of headache thought to be genetic in nature. They can be chronic, and certain factors increase the risk of developing them. Learn the basics.

What is a Migraine?

Migraines, the second most common headache type, can be dreadfully painful and endure for hours or even days.

Migraine episodes are thought to be caused by a drop in brain serotonin levels. This drop causes certain nerves to send messages to the brain's outer blood vessels. The messages cause the vessels to constrict (shrink) and dilate (swell.) Migraine head pain results.

Because the constriction and dilation of blood vessels is the main cause of dysfunction and pain, migraine headaches are considered vascular in type (cluster headaches are also vascular, but common tension headaches are muscular in origin.)

Symptoms of Migraines

Symptoms during a migraine headache episode can include throbbing or pulsating pain on one or both sides of the head, nausea, vomiting, light and/or noise sensitivity, and weakness or fatigue.

A majority of people experience migraine headaches without any warning signs (two-thirds), but those who have warnings, or auras, can experience any of the following symptoms fifteen to thirty minute before headaches start, with abnormalities subsiding after headache onset:

• visual abnormalities, such as wavy lines, flashing lights, tunnel vision, or blind spots in one or both eyes
• abnormal sounds, smells, or tastes
• pins-and-needles in the limbs
• difficulty talking or understanding speech
• short-term memory loss

More unusual, severe migraine symptoms/auras include temporary motor/sensory distubances on one side of the body, eye pain or loss of vision, pain in the back of the head, and stomach symptoms minus the headache.

Migraine Triggers

Internal Triggers

• stress
• lack of or too much sleep
• hormonal fluctuations (estrogen)
• physical exertion
• hunger

External Triggers

• foods: chocolate, cheese, caffeine, alcohol (particularly red wine), and others
• sensory assault: bad smells, bright lights, piercing sounds
• weather or altitude changes
• medications

Migraine Risk Factors

Those who are at risk for developing migraines include people with family histories of the disorder. Migraines have been determined to be a chronic, genetic affliction, so if one or both parents suffer from migraine headaches, their offspring have a good chance of also developing migraines.

Women, especially of childbearing age, have an increased risk for developing migraine headaches. There seems to be an association between migraines and the hormone estrogen.

Children are at risk for developing migraines, and both sexes are almost equally affected. This changes at puberty, when girls continue to have or become new migraine sufferers. Again, the hormone estrogen might be a factor. After puberty, women outnumber men in migraine incidence.

*****For more information on headaches and migraines, read Headache Types and Causes, Migraine Overview, Migraines: Causes and Triggers, Migraine Signs and Symptoms, Migraine Diagnosis and Treatment, and Alternative Migraine Therapies.

*****For related neurological information, check out the Neurological ARTICLE INDEX and Blog.

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References:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/migraine-headache/DS00120

http://www.headaches.org/consumer/educationalmodules/completeguide/migraine3.html