Migraine

A migraine headache, which is considered as a neurological condition, is a very severe headache where pain is felt mostly around the temples; it can also be on one side or even both sides, or even behind an eye or ear.  These headaches are as a result of the enlargement of the artery that is found just outside the skull under the skin of the temple.  This artery is known as the temporal artery.  The headache may be accompanied by vomiting.  Sufferers are often sensitive to harsh light and sound.  The headache could last for a couple of hours or even up to one or two days.  

Because of the enlargement of the temporal artery, the nerve fibers found coiled around the artery stretch and as a result release chemicals, causing pain, tenderness, swelling and soreness.  The more the artery enlarges the more acute the resulting pain. 

In America, it is found that 17% of women suffer from migraine whereas only 6% of men suffer from the ailment and the age of a sufferer can range from 15 to 55 years.  However, the frequency and the severity of migraine reduce with age.  Many women who suffer from migraine are found to be between 35 and 45 years old, probably owing to the various commitments that arise during this period of time in their life. 

The sympathetic nervous system, which originates in the spinal cord, is responsible for the "Fight and Flight" reaction, for example, you are on foot in the jungle and an elephant suddenly came trumpeting towards you.  What would your reaction be?  Would you stay and defend yourself and fight or would you turn around and run as quickly as your feet would carry you.  In this situation, you use energy, your blood pressure will increase and your heart will beat faster.  The sympathetic nervous system gets activated by a migraine attack.  This increased activity causes vomiting, it prevents oral medication from reaching the intestine and being absorbed thereby giving rise to ineffective treatment of the migraine headache, it contributes to sufferers sensitivity to harsh light and sound, it leads to a decrease in the circulation of blood resulting in cold hands and feet and pale appearance.  

What triggers migraine? 

There are many factors that may trigger off a migraine attack.  

.  In some people it may be alcohol

.  Stress coupled with anxiety is a definite factor

.  Certain foods - foods that contain Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), coffee, chocolate, processed foods that have nitrates in them, cheese and some dairy products, some citrus fruits, onions, nuts etc. 

.  Missing a meal or not having a meal on time is another factor

.  Certain environmental factors such as high humidity, low temperature, changes in pressure, time zone changes and altitude

.  Women are prone to migraine when they menstruate owing to hormonal changes, some when they start taking the birth control pill. 

.  Not getting enough of sleep

.  Glare or bright lights and loud noise

.  Certain perfumes, even strong odors

.  Certain medications

.  Extreme physical exertion 

What are the different types of migraine? 

The two most common types of migraine headache are:-

.  Classic Migraine or migraine with accompanying aura.  These aura can be auditory, visual or olfactory (your vision gets affected in that you may see flashing lights, zig zag lines, loss of side vision for a short while, burning sensation, hallucinations, muscle weakness etc) and can be experienced before the actual headache thus giving time for medication to be administered before it becomes a full blown headache.  Sometimes people prone to migraine may actual experience the aura but do not get the headache.  Men are more prone to the above-mentioned kind of migraine. 

.  Common Migraine or migraine without aura.  As the name implies this is the more prevalent type.  It also does not have an aura when it starts.  This type of migraine is the type that last longer and are got only on one side of the head or even on both sides.  Often with the common migraine type are the symptoms of nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light. 

The other types of migraine are the less common ones.  They are:

Carotidynia - This type of migraine occurs usually in older people.  In this type there is acute pain, sometimes in the jaw or in the neck, therefore it is more commonly know as facial migraine.  These headaches may last from anywhere to a few minutes to hours and can happen several times a week.  

Headache-free migraine - As the name implies there is no actual headache, only the presence of aura.  

Basilar artery migraine - This occurs mainly in young people evolving from a disorder of the basilar artery, which is found in the brainstem.  The sufferer has severe headache, it affects speech and vision and muscle coordination.  

Ophthalmoplegic migraine - In this type the eye is affected in that there is pain in the eye.  The eyelid begins to droop and this may continue for days or even weeks.  

Status migraine - The patient may need hospitalization in this case.  This type is rare; having very acute pain and the headache usually is for more than 72 hours.  

Menstrual Migraine - These headaches are mainly owing to the hormonal changes that occur within a woman's system during menstruation and can be experienced before or during menstruation.