Diseases and Conditions
Migraine Headache
In the past, migraines were considered vascular – or blood vessel-related – headaches. They were thought to occur when shifts in blood flow suddenly dilated (expanded) the blood vessels in and around the head causing pain. However, the most current and respected findings suggest that migraines and other primary headaches arise from disturbances within the central nervous system. These disturbances trigger a cascade of chemical changes that cause inflamed blood vessels and neurological symptoms, including pain.
Of all the possible headache types, migraines are among the most severe and disabling. In fact, migraines are so widespread that they are ranked by the World Health Organization (WHO) as number 19 among all diseases that cause disability worldwide. A person who suffers with migraine typically has moderate to severe headaches along with other symptoms that include nausea, vomiting or sensitivity to light and sound. Headaches occur more commonly on one side of your head and can last from four to 72 hours, if untreated.
Migraines can be triggered by things that you are exposed to such as certain foods or medications. They can also be triggered by hormones, poor lifestyle habits or by things around you such as flickering lights and strong smells. Living and coping with migraine headache requires patience, education and persistence. Most people can manage migraines by controlling triggers, learning about migraine and following a well-balanced treatment plan.
Because migraines vary so much from person to person, they have been divided into many different types. The two most common types of migraine headache are:
Of all the possible headache types, migraines are among the most severe and disabling. In fact, migraines are so widespread that they are ranked by the World Health Organization (WHO) as number 19 among all diseases that cause disability worldwide. A person who suffers with migraine typically has moderate to severe headaches along with other symptoms that include nausea, vomiting or sensitivity to light and sound. Headaches occur more commonly on one side of your head and can last from four to 72 hours, if untreated.
Migraines can be triggered by things that you are exposed to such as certain foods or medications. They can also be triggered by hormones, poor lifestyle habits or by things around you such as flickering lights and strong smells. Living and coping with migraine headache requires patience, education and persistence. Most people can manage migraines by controlling triggers, learning about migraine and following a well-balanced treatment plan.
Who is Affected?
- People in the same family get migraines. Certain types of migraine are inherited or passed from one generation to the next within a family.
- Migraines affect women three times more often than men. The female hormone estrogen is believed to play a role in why more women than men suffer with this painful condition.
- Migraines often begin in childhood or the teenage years.
What are the Types?
Because migraines vary so much from person to person, they have been divided into many different types. The two most common types of migraine headache are:
- Migraine without aura – Most people who suffer with migraine headache have migraine without aura. In the past, migraine without aura was referred to as “common migraine.”
- Migraine with aura – These migraines begin with an aura, which is a warning signal that you may be about to have a headache. Only about 20% of people with migraine have this type. In the past, migraine with aura was referred to as “classic migraine.”