What is the Main Cause of Migraine?

Know everything about Migraine headaches; Symptoms, Causes, How to deal with migraine headaches, and cure of migraine.

What causes Migraine Headaches?

A migraine is a severe throbbing headache or pulsing sensation, mostly on one side of the head. Migraine headaches are a common neurological condition characterized by severe, recurring headaches often accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound.

A migraine is a headache of varying intensity that is usually accompanied by nausea as well as sensitivity to light and sound. People usually wonder, what causes migraines; the truth is they could be triggered by some foods or drinks, stress, exercise, or hormonal changes. These headaches are normally easy to self-diagnose thus lab tests or imaging may not be required. However, in some cases, an imaging test like an MRI in East Brunswick, NJ or another local area may be necessary to rule out other potential causes of headaches. This can help ensure there are no underlying structural issues contributing to the symptoms

Diagnosis and Treatment for Migraine Headaches

Is migraine a serious problem? While migraines can be self-diagnosed, a neurologist will check your medical history to confirm whether you have a family history of migraines. A diagnosis is typically made based on patient history and a physical/neurological examination. No definitive test can confirm migraines, but other conditions are ruled out through diagnostic imaging (CT or MRI scans) or blood tests.

According to the experts migraines that are complex, severe, or unusual, the neurologist will have to conduct the following tests to rule out other causes. These tests include:

• MRI scan – this scan uses powerful radio waves and magnetic fields to provide a detailed image of your brain and blood vessels.
• CT scan – this scan uses X-rays to provide cross-sectional images of the brain.

Once the tests are conducted and confirmed by the expert medical practitioner, they will start with the right treatment for migraine headaches.

What are the Symptoms and Types of Migraine Headaches?

The most common symptom of migraine is experiencing an intense headache on one side of your head. The pain ranges from moderate to severe and is associated with a throbbing sensation that intensifies when you move or do other activities.

Other times, the headache could be on both sides of the head and the pain may extend to the whole face, neck, or back of the neck.

Some other symptoms of migraine headaches include:

• Headache Pain: Typically one-sided, throbbing, or pulsing, and can vary in intensity from moderate to severe.
• Aura: A subset of migraine sufferers experience auras, which are visual or sensory disturbances (like flashing lights, zig-zag patterns, or tingling).
• Sensitivity: Migraines are often associated with heightened sensitivity to light (photophobia), sound (phonophobia), and smells (osmophobia).
• Nausea and Vomiting: Common in severe migraines.
• Other Symptoms: Dizziness, confusion, fatigue, or changes in mood.

These additional symptoms are not common to everyone as people experience migraines differently. Migraine symptoms may last up to four hours in mild cases or three days in a row for the ones that last long. It is common to feel lethargic for up to a week when you recover.

Types of Migraines

• Migraine with Aura: Involves visual or sensory disturbances that typically occur before the headache begins.
• Migraine without Aura: The most common type, lacking the pre-headache aura.
• Chronic Migraine: Defined as experiencing migraines on 15 or more days per month for at least three months.
• Hemiplegic Migraine: Causes temporary weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, along with the typical migraine symptoms.
• Retinal Migraine: Involves visual disturbances in one eye.

Are there any Warning Signs or Triggers for Migraine?

The exact cause of migraines is not fully understood, but they are believed to result from complex interactions between genetics and environmental factors. According to NHS, one in every three people who suffer from migraines experience temporary warning signs also called an aura. Triggers can vary widely among individuals but often include:

• Hormonal Changes: Fluctuations during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause.
• Dietary Factors: Certain foods, beverages (like alcohol), and additives (such as MSG).
• Stress and Sleep Patterns: Both stress and irregular sleep can trigger migraines.
• Environmental Factors: Bright lights, strong smells, or weather changes.
• Medications: Certain medications can trigger or exacerbate migraines.

Best Treatment Options for Migraine Headaches?

Migraine treatment generally falls into two categories: acute (for immediate relief) and preventive (to reduce frequency and severity).

Preventive Drugs for Migraine

As they say, prevention is better than cure. Therefore, consult with your doctor on using preventive medicine for migraines. Your doctor may recommend prescription drugs such as:

• Anticonvulsants – these are drugs that prevent and reduce seizures. Examples include topiramate and valproic acid.
• Antidepressants – in this category, tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are mostly recommended. Examples are Elavil and Aventyl.
• Beta-blockers – these drugs work to relax your blood vessels and are usually prescribed to regulate blood pressure. In the case of migraines, the following may be recommended; Tenormin, Lopressor, Corgard, or Inderal.
• Botox – while Botox is usually associated with antiaging, this injectable can also be used to prevent migraines from happening. Your doctor will inject your face and scalp after every three months. This is recommended for individuals who experience headaches for 15 days or more in a single month.
• Calcium-channel blockers – these drugs help to reduce the narrowing of blood vessels in the treatment of heart disease. Drugs in this category that can be used for migraine treatment are Cardizem, Cartia, Covera HS, and Verelan.

Pain-Relieving Drugs for Migraine

Disclaimer – Doctors and medical professionals will diagnose the condition and recommend using drugs. These drugs are only mentioned for awareness purposes, and should not be considered as medical advice.

These drugs help reduce the pain during a migraine attack. Generally, analgesics, caffeine, and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are used to address migraine pain. Drugs under this category include:

• Aspirin
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• Ibuprofen (Motrin)
• Naproxen (Anaprox, Anaprox DS, Naprosyn)

Using analgesics and NSAIDs continually can have adverse effects. These drugs could worsen migraines due to medication overuse.

Natural Remedies, Migraine Management and Coping Strategies

There are other ways to prevent migraines, managing migraines involves a combination of medication, lifestyle changes, and avoiding triggers:

• Avoid trigger foods – foods such as hotdogs, chocolate cheese, ice creams, alcohol, and processed foods contain trigger ingredients such as nitrates and tyramine.
• Drink lots of water – being dehydrated could cause headaches, thus drinking lots of water will prevent this.
• Inhale lavender oil – this provides faster relief. You can also apply this oil to your temple.
• Acupressure – by applying pressure to specific points of the body, you may experience pain relief.
• Use ginger – ginger is known to reduce nausea caused by migraines. It also helps to minimize migraines severity.
• Go for yoga – by breathing, meditating, and exercising, yoga could help relieve body stress that may be triggering your migraines. Migraine frequency, duration, and intensity may also be reduced.
• Take magnesium-rich foods – magnesium deficiency is claimed to cause headaches and migraines. Foods such as almonds, cashews, eggs, milk, peanut butter, sesame seeds, and sunflower seeds are all good additions to your diet.
• Go for a weekly massage – massage may help minimize the frequency of migraines through its ability to improve sleep.

Most Frequently Asked Question for Migraine

1. How do I know I have a Migraine and not a headache?

Migraines are extremely painful headaches associated with a pulsing sensation on one side of the head. It is usually accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to sound and light. Headaches, conversely, cause pain in the head, face, or neck, but not as intense as migraines.

2. What causes migraines in females?

Women are more likely to experience migraines than men, and there are many possible causes. Here are some common triggers for migraines in women:

• Hormonal changes: Fluctuations in estrogen levels, such as before or during menstrual periods, pregnancy, and menopause, can trigger migraines in many women.
• Stress: Stress at work or home can cause migraines. Everyday stresses, such as juggling many roles, can be daily stresses for women.
• Weather changes: Sudden changes in weather can trigger migraines.
• Foods and drinks: Some people experience migraines after eating or drinking certain foods and drinks, including alcohol, chocolate, fermented or pickled foods, cured or processed meats, aged cheeses, yeast, and monosodium glutamate (MSG).

3. Does Dehydration trigger Migraines?

While dehydration may not necessarily cause migraines, it may trigger its occurrence. This is because lack of enough water in the body affects the brain’s water or ion balance, which will, in turn, affect the electrical function of the brain.

4. Can I buy Over-The-Counter Drugs for Migraines?

Yes. The most commonly recommended drugs for migraines are NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen (Motrin and Advil).

5. When should I see a Doctor for my Migraine Headaches?

Although you can manage your migraines yourself, there are symptoms that will let you know that it is time to see the doctor for migraine treatment in Denver. The following headache symptoms mean you should get medical help right away: 

• Three or more headaches per week
• Severe and persistent headaches
• Using pain relievers daily for headaches
• Headaches disrupting your social and work-life

With the right information and expert medical intervention from Dr Timothy Steel or another healthcare professional, any situation can be dealt with. Know the migraine triggers, what causes migraine, and how to treat migraine headaches at home. For any symptom that raises a red flag seek medical advice without any delay.

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Important Disclaimer

The content is not for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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