One theory is that certain events or substances (triggers) can set
off an imbalance of naturally occurring chemicals in the brain, which
may cause the blood vessels of the head to expand. As shown in the
graphic below, the area around these blood vessels becomes inflamed
and irritates nerve endings. This dilation (expansion) and irritation
may account for the throbbing pain you experience in your temple or
behind your eye.
Triggers are substances
or occurrences that may lead to migraines in some people. Different
sufferers are prone to different triggers -- and not all patients
have identifiable triggers. In fact, what triggers a migraine for
one sufferer may actually help prevent it in another. Also, a trigger
that causes a migraine one day may not cause it the next. Keeping
a Headache Diary can help you identify any triggers you may have.
LIGHT
Strong,
glaring light, whether artificial or natural, may provoke migraine.
Light sources can include sunlight (including reflections off water,
snow, or sand), glaring artificial light, and flickering light from
a TV or laser show.
SMELLS/ODORS
Both pleasant
(perfume, flowers) and unpleasant (paint thinners, gasoline) smells
can trigger migraine. Usually, though, it's the intensity of the smell,
rather than the odor itself, that triggers the migraine.
DIETING/HUNGER
Any changes in eating patterns -- such as missing meals, dieting,
changes in diet -- can lead to a migraine. Therefore, migraine sufferers
are advised not to change their eating patterns or their diet without
first consulting their doctor.
LOUD
NOISES / SOUNDS
Loud noises - whether sudden (a car backfiring, a firecracker) or
prolonged (a baby crying, construction work) can trigger migraines.
MOTION
/ TRAVEL
For some people,
motion sickness means nausea. However, for migraine patients, motion
can set off an attack.Talk to your doctor about possible treatments
for motion sickness. As always, do not take medication without first
consulting your doctor.
CAFFEINE
/ NICOTINE AND SECONDHAND SMOKE
Large
amounts of caffeine may be a migraine trigger for some patients. Moderate
amounts of caffeine, particularly when combined with medications,
may help with migraine pain relief. Irritants found in smoke of any
kind can, alone or in combination with other triggers, also cause
migraine.
CHANGES
IN SLEEPING HABITS
Too much or too little sleep may result in migraines in some individuals.
Establish a regimen of going to bed around the same time every night,
and try to avoid naps or oversleeping, if these are your triggers.
STRESS
Stress is considered a key migraine trigger. Many patients are able
to connect an attack to a specific stressful event. Often, the attack
occurs soon after a stressful situation -- many migraine attacks occur
on holidays and weekends.
MEDICATIONS
Certain
medications for nonmigraine conditions can trigger or worsen migraines.
Overuse of over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers and analgesics, like
aspirin, can also trigger or worsen migraines. Some medications also
contain caffeine, another trigger for some people. Before changing
medications or self-medicating with either prescription or over-the-counter
drugs, consult your doctor.
WEATHER
CHANGES
High humidity, atmospheric pressure changes, rapid temperature fluctuations,
and exposure to extreme heat or cold are responsible for migraine
attacks in some individuals. Depending on conditions faced, stay warm
or cool, drink water to avoid dehydration, put on layers of clothing,
keep head and extremities covered, and stay indoors when outdoor temperatures
are extreme.
HORMONAL
FLUCTUATIONS
Migraine is more common among women, often beginning with the onset
of puberty and menstruation, and may stop at menopause. The frequency
of women's migraines is said to be related to hormonal fluctuation,
particularly with regard to estrogen. In many women, headaches begin
just prior to, or during, their monthly menstrual period or during
treatment with artificial hormones such as birth control pills or
estrogen replacement therapy. Talk to your doctor about the possible
effect of hormones on your migraines. Be sure to consult your doctor
before changing medications.
PHYSICAL
ACTIVITY
Like
many other factors that trigger migraines, exercise is a paradox;
it helps some, but not others. Some experts theorize that it is not
only the exercise that triggers the migraine, but also the conditions
under which exercise is performed -- altitude, a person's carbohydrate
level, and atmospheric activity -- that may affect susceptible people.
While sufferers have no control over most of these factors, identifying
them as triggers can help make it possible to exercise without setting
off an attack. You should consult your doctor if you want to begin
or alter an exercise regimen.
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WARNING
SIGNS: AURAS AND PRODROMES
Only about 15%
of all migraine sufferers experience aura -- visual, auditory, or
other sensory or physical occurrences that indicate a migraine is
on its way. These signals occur shortly before the migraine pain starts.
Signals that occur hours or even days prior to an attack are called
prodromes
SOME TYPES
OF AURA:
VISUAL
DISTURBANCES
Visual auras may appear as flashing lights, zigzag
lines, and blurred or lost vision.
NUMBNESS
A loss of sensation in one or more body parts.
HALLUCINATIONS
Imaginary perceptions not caused by anything external.
Sight or sound hallucinations are most common.
LOSS
OF SPEECH
Though unusual, temporary loss of speech may occur
during migraine.
SOME TYPES
OF PRODROMES:
EXCESSIVE
YAWNING
Individuals who are overtired from long hours at
work, overexertion, lack of sleep, or boredom with repetitive tasks
often experience continuous yawning. This symptom usually disappears
after adequate sleep. If you experience excessive yawning, even
when well rested, you should talk to your doctor.
FATIGUE
This condition can be brought on by a number of aggressive
actions including vigorous exercise, exertion to the point of exhaustion,
lengthy hours of work for days or weeks, lack of sleep, diminished
blood flow to the brain and other parts of the body, and prolonged
exposure to severe weather conditions. Regardless of the cause,
fatigue can precede a migraine in some sufferers. In any case, reducing
exercises, changing work and sleep habits, and consulting your doctor
about diet changes or vitamin supplements may help this problem.
Talk to your doctor before changing exercise programs.
MOOD
CHANGES
Rapid mood changes can be a signal for the onset of a migraine.
It may be useful to sufferers to write down the types, time, and
frequency of these occurrences and discuss them with a doctor.
FOOD
CRAVING
This condition is familiar to some women who have been pregnant.
It is also an experience of dieters, those who are suddenly unable
to dine during their accustomed eating times, and those who are
suffering withdrawal from nicotine, alcohol, drugs, or certain medications.
Compulsive eaters also suffer from food-craving syndrome. However,
in certain cases, incidents of food craving have been associated
with the warning sign of a migraine.
LIGHT/SOUND/TOUCH/ODOR SENSITIVITY
Oversensitivity to light, sound, touch, or odor may precede a migraine attack in some patients.
Symptoms
What characterizes
a migraine, and differentiates it from other types of headache,
is its specific symptoms. Of course, not all migraine sufferers
experience the same symptoms. And different symptoms can occur at
different times.
These are some
of the common symptoms often associated with migraine. If you are
experiencing any of these symptoms, be sure to contact your physician.
There are treatment programs available that may help you.
Throbbing
or pounding pain
Unlike other types of head pain, migraine pain in the head is characterized by a relentless throbbing or pounding -- as though one's pulse is beating severely in the head. The pain usually begins on one side of the head, at the temple, and can spread downward to the eye, face, and even neck.
Nausea
and vomiting accompanied by severe headache
While nausea and vomiting can be caused by a number of factors,
including certain diseases, pregnancy, drugs, alcohol, or eating
spoiled food, it may also accompany migraines in some sufferers.Pain
located on one side of the headMigraine sufferers almost always
complain of throbbing pain on only one side of the head, usually
around the temple. Occasionally, a migraine causes pain all over
the head.
Pain
aggravated by activity
The simple act of moving may be difficult if you have a migraine,
and pain may be aggravated or worsen from activity.Sensitivity to
light, sounds, and smellsDuring (and sometimes prior to) a migraine
attack, many sufferers experience strong, painful reactions to light,
loud noises, and certain odors.
MIGRAINE
RELIEF TIPS
Talk to you Doctor, both medical and chiropractic to set
up a management program. Chiropractic has been very helpful in reducing
the cause and pain associated with migraines
The key to receiving
effective treatment is good communication with your doctor. Your
relief needs change over time: Only by keeping the lines of communication
open with your doctor will you be able to make sure your treatment
keeps up with you. Use the most specific language you can when describing
your condition, and be sure to mention if your pain is making you
miss out on work or other obligations. Using a Headache Diary to
make communicating your pain and symptoms easier to help you get
the best treatment.
Target
your triggers.
Have a look at the list of Triggers and use the Headache Diary to
keep track of what might set off your migraine attacks. And be sure
to read food labels to avoid hidden threats.
Keep
an eye out for cigarette smoke, too. For many people with migraines,
even secondhand smoke is a known trigger. So be sure to make reservations
in the non-smoking section!
Maintain your
regular sleep schedule.
Research has indicated that it is especially important to start
each day at approximately the same time. Even on weekends, if you
can stick to your regular rising time, you may experience fewer
or less severe migraine attacks. Oversleeping tends to be more of
a problem than undersleeping.
Stay up-to-date.
Migraine is a condition that can change over time. That's why it pays to keep up with scientific advances and other progress in treatment. Check out Online Resources and the The Migraine Resource Library for a wealth of information.
Set
up an action plan for your family.
A little planning ahead can make things easier on everyone. Consider
keeping some meals in the freezer for easy preparation. Keep emergency
numbers near the phone in case someone needs to make a call for
you. Make sure family members know how to get a hold of each other
in case of emergency. And stress the importance of keeping on your
schedule -- each time you change meal times or change your sleep
schedule, you may risk increasing your chances for more attacks.
Relax!
Cutting down on stress doesn't just help reduce the frequency of migraines, but can improve your entire outlook on life. Take breaks. Even better, take vacations. Consider joining a local stress-reduction group. And do what you can to exercise -- ask your doctor what steps would be best for you to take before starting any exercise program.
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