The vascular system is comprised of blood vessels, which are further composed of arteries, veins and capillaries that carry oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body. The University of Maryland Medical Center explains that vascular headaches are more commonly known as cluster headaches, migraines or toxic headaches that cause significant pain to the person suffering. The American Academy of Family Physicians notes that vascular type headaches are the most common complaint of people seeking private physician consultation, with migraine being the most prominent type treated.
Hypothalamus Abnormalities
The hypothalamus is a structure in the deep center of the brain. The hypothalamus is responsible for regulating chemical and nerve pathways that maintain biological rhythms such as sleep. The hypothalamus also regulates stress hormone levels and pain receptors. Dilation of blood vessels stemming from the hypothalamus contribute to vascular cluster headaches. MayoClinic.com explains that abnormalities of the hypothalamus are thought to occur in a pattern with the body's biological rhythms. Increased activity in the hypothalamus during a cluster headache evidences the link between this brain structure, seasonal changes and abnormal levels of cortisol made by the hypothalamus.
Lowered Neurotransmitter Levels
Neurotransmitters are the chemical messengers of the body that relay information between cells. The brain has more than 100 types of neurotransmitters communicating to the body. Serotonin and norepinephrine are two important neurotransmitters involved in causing vascular headaches. According to FamilyDoctor.org, low serotonin levels cause the blood vessels to dilate or swell. This swelling leads to headache pain. Serotonin levels are impacted by blood sugar, certain foods and hormone levels. Norepinephrine works in the same fashion and serves as a regulating chemical for stress and maintaining blood pressure. MayoClinic.com notes that use of psychiatric medications with serotonin and norepinephrine have off-label benefits of easing symptoms of vascular headache caused by low neurotransmitter levels.
Pain Pathway Disturbance
The trigeminal nerve is a three-branch pathway that impacts pain sensation and sensory roots from the brain to the spinal cord. MayoClinic.com indicates that interference in the trigeminal nerve pain path can trigger release of neuropeptides, small neuronal communicating structures involved in pain regulation. Disruption in the pain pathway results in headache pain as well as imbalance in the neurotransmitters involved in pain regulation.
Nutrition, Stress and Hormones
According to FamilyDoctor.org, foods can trigger vascular headaches due to certain ingredients such as excessive caffeine, monosodium glutamate or alcohol. Foods to avoid include processed meats, aged cheeses and those containing aspartame. Stress is another factor contributing to vascular headaches. MayoClinic.com notes that stress can cause neurotransmitter imbalance, which may instigate blood vessel dilation. Hormonal fluctuations are also a culprit in causing chemical imbalance leading to vascular headaches. Women especially are susceptible to migraines prior to menstruation due to estrogen fluctuations.
