What is a Migraine Headache?
A migraine is a powerful headache that often happens with accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Migraine attacks can last for 4 hours to 72 hours, and the pain can be so severe that it interferes with your daily activities. Some suspects get a warning symptom before the start of the Migraine Headache.
Migraine Headache can begin in childhood or may not occur until early adulthood. Women are more likely than men to have migraines. Family history is one of the most common risk factors for having a Migraine Headache. Most people start having migraine headaches between the ages 10 and 40, but many women find that their migraines improve or disappear after age 50.
What Causes Migraine Headaches?
The cause of migraines is not yet known. Doctors don’t know the exact cause of migraine headaches, although they seem to be related to changes in the brain as well as to genes that run in families. You can even inherit the triggers that give you migraine headaches like (fatigue, bright lights, weather changes, and others). A migraine starts when overactive nerve cells send out signals that activate the trigeminal nerve, the nerve that supplies sensation to your head and face.
Migraine pain
People describe migraine pain as:
- Pulsating
- Throbbing
- Perforating
- Pounding
- Debilitating
It can also feel like a severe dull, steady ache. The pain may start out as mild, but without treatment will become moderate to severe.
Migraine pain most commonly affects the forehead area. It’s usually on one side of the head, but it can occur on both sides, or shift.
Some common migraine triggers include
- Stress. When you’re stressed, your brain releases chemicals that can cause the blood vessel changes that can lead to a Migraine Headache.
- Foods: Some foods and drinks, such as aged cheese, alcohol, and food additives like nitrates (in pepperoni, hot dogs, lunchmeats) and monosodium glutamate (MSG) may be responsible for up to 30% of Migraine Headache.
- Caffeine: Getting too much or withdrawing from it can cause headaches when the level in your body abruptly drops. Blood vessels seem to get used to caffeine, and when you don’t have any, you may get a headache. Caffeine itself can be a treatment for acute Migraine Headache Attacks.
- Weather Change: Storm fronts, changes in barometric pressure, strong winds, or changes in altitude can all trigger a Migraine Headache.
- Having your Menstruation
- Skipping Meals
