| The most common symptom of a migraine headache | | | | prior to the onset of a headache including such things |
| is an acute throbbing pain which is normally located on | | | | as bright light spots and flashing lights. In a few |
| just one side of the head near to the area of the | | | | people a complete loss of vision can be experienced |
| temple. Unlike normal headaches, migraines are also | | | | for a few minutes before the arrival of the |
| often accompanied by other symptoms which include | | | | headache. |
| sensitivity to light and noise, nausea and sometimes | | | | The second form of the condition is simply a migraine |
| vomiting. | | | | without the prior symptoms of an 'aura'. |
| Migraines are fairly common and affect about 10% of | | | | Just as we do not really know what causes a |
| the population of the United States, or in excess of | | | | migraine, so too we have very little idea about just |
| 28 million Americans. They are also far more | | | | what triggers an attack, although there are a number |
| commonly seen in women than in men (about three | | | | of factors which do seem likely to trigger an attack |
| times as many women suffer from migraine) and can | | | | in sufferers. For example, getting too much sleep |
| also be found occasionally in children. | | | | appears to be one factor, as does skipping meals or |
| Although migraines are so common and often very | | | | eating certain types of food like cheese. |
| painful with attacks lasting anywhere from a few | | | | Hormonal factors are also thought to influence both |
| hours to two or three days, only about 50% of all | | | | the onset and severity of attacks and one piece of |
| sufferers ever consult their physician and the | | | | evidence for this is the higher incidence of migraines |
| remainder choose to suffer in silence. | | | | among women. This in part is thought to be because |
| It had long been thought these headaches were | | | | estrogen affects the blood vessels and it has been |
| caused by a of dilation of the blood vessels in the | | | | noted in some studies that there is a connection |
| head but, although there is no general consensus, | | | | between the contraceptive pill (which contains |
| medical opinion seems to be moving away from this | | | | estrogen) and migraine headaches. |
| theory in favor of a genetic cause for this condition. | | | | Just to confuse matters however, studies have also |
| Current thinking is that the condition results from the | | | | shown that simple everyday activities like walking up |
| interaction of certain brain chemicals, such as | | | | stairs can trigger an attack, as can exposure to heat |
| serotonin, with the nerve cells. At this time however | | | | or cold, loud noises, flashing lights and even stress. |
| the truth is that we really do not know what cause | | | | Happily, there are several medical treatments available |
| migraines. | | | | today, although no single treatment has proved to be |
| There are in fact two different forms of the | | | | really effective in all cases. Over-the-counter |
| condition, the first of which is referred to as 'classical | | | | medications are however rarely effective and, if you |
| migraine', which is characterized by an associated | | | | suffer from migraines, you are best advised to seek |
| 'aura'. In this case the term 'aura' is used to refer to | | | | the help of your physician in finding a solution which |
| visual light effects which are experienced immediately | | | | works for you. |