What Are Migraine Headaches?
Migraine headaches are painful headaches that often are heralded by obvious and disturbing warning signals. According to leading experts such as author Dr. Dennis Lee, migraine headache is generally brought on by the enlargement of blood vessels along with an imbalance of chemicals that triggers pain throughout the nervous symptom. Migraines can be triggered by a myriad of factors, depending on your sensitivity. According to the National Headache Foundation, migraine headaches affect more than 28 million Americans, with women being more susceptible than men.
A Closer Look
As a migraine headache begins, the temporal artery, a major artery located in the head, enlarges. Located outside the skull just under the skin, this artery will begin to release chemicals that cause pain and inflammation as they gather around the engorged blood vessels. At the same time, the trigeminal nerve, the primary sensory nerve in the face, is affected as blood vessels place pressure on it. Chemicals that help to regulate pain, such as serotonin, become imbalanced, causing the body to release neuropeptides that travel to the meninges, or the brain's outer covering. This action causes the often blinding pain associated with migraines.
Symptoms
As a migraine headache develops, the body responds, displaying symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea. Other symptoms can be tingling in the extremities, seeing flashes of light or experiencing blind spots. Migraines also affect food absorption by delaying the stomach's emptying into the small intestine, often causing a feeling of discomfort in the abdomen.
Environmental Causes
The causes of migraine headaches are personal and depend on your level of sensitivity to a variety of possible factors. Migraine headaches can be genetic or can be caused by environmental elements such as glare from the sun, overly bright lights, loud sounds, or powerful aromas such as those found in paint thinners, cleaning agents and even certain perfumes.
Hormonal Changes
Sometimes migraines are brought on by hormonal changes such as varying levels of estrogen due to menstruation, menopause or pregnancy. Some prescribed hormonal medications, including oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy, can trigger or intensify a migraine.
Foods
Migraines are often triggered by foods, such as those containing tyramine. These include red wine, aged cheeses, chicken livers, smoked fish, figs, and certain types of beans. Nitrates can also exacerbate migraine pain. Nitrates are found in foods such as bacon, salami, and hot dogs. Additional foods to watch out for are nuts, peanut butter, chocolate, citrus fruits, onions, dairy, and fermented or pickled products. Foods that contain monosodium glutamate (MSG) or too much salt are also dangerous for migraine suffers, as is too much caffeine or aspartame. Processed and fast foods can also contribute to migraine headaches.
Other Possible Causes
Changes in sleeping patterns such as jet lag, not getting enough sleep or even getting too much sleep can contribute to a migraine headache. Smoking or exposure to smoke is another trigger, as are changes in the weather, especially when there are wide fluctuations in barometric pressure. Skipping meals and fasting can cause migraines as the body begins to clear out toxins. Physical or emotional stress is a major factor, as are allergies, too much sensory stimulation or overexertion. Sensitivity to certain medications can also lead to migraine headaches.
What You Can Do
If you have a tendency to get migraines, the best way to avoid them is to identify what triggers them and then avoid these irritants. If you do get a migraine headache, you can ask your doctor for a prescription to minimize the pain, or you may decide to wait it out by lying down in a dark, comfortable place until your symptoms disappear.
