Migraines and Headaches

Posted by Ray Lam

Unlike normal headaches that many of us suffer with, a migraine is often a hereditary complaint that starts when someone is still in childhood. Most suffers will go to bed as the headache (usually on one side) takes hold and which could last a matter of a few hours but if left without attention, could last for days. Almost all sufferers will complain of exhaustion and a feeling of weakness that takes some time to pass.

Some people are more fortunate than others and may only have a couple of attacks per year whilst others have one or more every month. Often other symptoms similar to those of flu may afflict the patient; for instance, light sensitivity and chills, along with a feeling of lightheadedness as well. Migraine attacks only seem to affect people within a certain age range, just before puberty and stop by the time the person has reached about 40; however, by the time someone reaches fifty, attacks almost never occur.

Whilst family groups are known to share attacks, so far there has been a problem finding a genetic trait that links certain family members to migraines; even though there may be a link, so far it has eluded medical science. There is a condition that causes an inflammation of blood vessels in the brain and it is possible that people who suffer have sensitivity in this area. More women suffer from attacks and they comprise 75 percent of reported cases; only about eight percent of men will have an attack in their lives so it is very much a condition that affects women.

A number of people have a warning when they are about to have an attack which is called migraine with aura which can be anywhere between ten minutes to half an hour before the actual attack. The warning signs may include:

*Nausea is very common *Vision is affected *Strange sounds or smell *Lack of sensation in sufferers extremities

whilst there are many more symptoms, the list above contains those which are most prevalent. Some of these indications are symptoms felt by those who have the most common variant of the condition, migraines without aura; many early indications felt by those who have a warning are symptoms felt by those who have no warning but their condition can be made worse if they are in constant motion.

At the moment the theory that blood vessels leading to the brain become narrower and affect the nerves is the closest science has come to discovering the cause of migraines. It might be that it is the expansion of the blood vessels afterwards that causes the headache; most victims become unable to do anything for some time after the attack. The range of possible triggers that create an attack is huge; the most common are listed below:

*Poor weather conditions *Certain food groups *Altitude *Certain groups of drink *Powerful bright lighting *Not enough food *Anxiety

It is therefore a good idea for the victim to see if there is a pattern to the attacks which could then make it easier to avoid them.

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