Posts Tagged ‘Migraine headaches symptoms’
Monday, November 12th, 2012
Millions of people suffer from migraine headaches, yet few patients are able to figure out exactly what causes their migraines. Even with the help of an experienced migraine specialist, the elusive migraine mystery cause sometimes takes years to solve. Actually, there are many causes of migraines, but few theories.
The short answer
Previously, experts thought that migraines were caused by a blood vessel disorder.
Now, scientists understand that migraines are a neurological disorder, and that migraines are caused by overexcited neurotransmitters in the brain that misbehave, corrupt blood vessel behavior, and produce painful symptoms- headache, neck stiffness, eye sensitivity- that cause a migraine attack.
(Also read: What Causes Migraine Dizziness?)
Migraine triggers, the long answer
Finding the cause for migraines is not really that simple. While we know that migraines happen because of a neurological malfunctioning, what we don’t always know is what outside factors trigger (cause) migraines; in other words, what initiates the chain reaction of symptoms that cause a migraine attack.
Migraine triggers are any elements that push your brain’s “migraine buttons.”
Like a match to a stick of dynamite, migraine triggers don’t really cause migraines, but rather they tease the overactive neurotransmitters into action.
Boom.
Over 100, and counting
Recently, UC Berkeley scientists calculated over 100 migraine triggers that “cause” migraine attacks. These include influential elements in nature, food, behavior, mood, and biological functioning.
(Also read: Avoiding Migraine Triggers- Here, There and Everywhere)
Common migraine triggers include:
- Stress
- Hormonal fluctuations
- Food additives, such as MSG and nitrites
- Chocolate
- Coffee
- Red-skinned fruits
- Aged foods, such as cheese, avocadoes, and bananas
- Dairy products
- Yeasted foods, including beer and bread
- Alcoholic beverages
- Skipping meals
- Sleeping late, or napping
- Scents
- Humidity
- Changes in barometric pressure
- Sinus headaches
Migraine Weather Triggers- Seasonal Migraines in the Fall
Finding your trigger
Narrowing down migraine causes, or triggers, requires patience and determination.
Many migraine patients discover that a nutritional deficiency or allergy is the root cause of migraines. By correcting the underlying disorder- by avoiding gluten or dairy, or by supplementing with magnesium or B vitamins- they often see a vast improvement in migraine management.
Another way to find the cause of migraines is to start logging into a migraine diary. Keep track of what foods you eat, which medications you take, your mood, and any other relevant information.
Please tell us…
Have you successfully tracked migraine causes with a migraine diary?
Have you tested for magnesium deficiency as a cause of migraines?
Do you have any questions or suggestions? Please leave your comments below.
Share with your friends!
If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, Facebook, or Google+.
Like this? Read more:
Treat Migraine Headaches caused by Food Allergies- without Drugs
Sources:
Migraine Triggers- University of California, Berkeley PDF
Migraine Causes
What Is Migraine? What Causes Migraines?
Image(s) courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Tags: migraine causes, Migraine headaches symptoms, migraine triggers
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Tuesday, June 5th, 2012
Migraine headaches got you spinning in circles? There are several causes for dizziness with migraine disorder. Whether you’re experiencing vertigo, lightheadedness, or fatigue, here are some clues that will help you put an end to that dizzy feeling.
Is it dizziness or vertigo?
Dizziness and vertigo are not identical. Sometimes, people complain of vertigo when they are really feeling dizzy, or light-headed. It’s important to know the difference, as true vertigo may necessitate an MRI brain scan.
Dizziness makes you feel confused, tired, weak, and wobbly. If you are a migraine sufferer who experiences dizziness day in, day out, then you should consult your doctor.
Vertigo, on the other hand, is more than just dizziness- you feel intoxicated, as if the room were spinning around, and you have difficulty walking steady. Vertigo from migraines is often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. With true vertigo, lying down brings some relief, while sitting up suddenly makes the dizziness worse.
Migraines with aura (MA)
Migraines are often classified by the presence of an aura- a premonitory phenomenon that occurs minutes before a migraine attack strikes.
Migraines with aura begin with a number of disturbing symptoms, including:
- Vertigo
- Fatigue
- Speech slurring
- Visual disturbances, like seeing bright lights, zigzagging colors, dark voids in your field of vision, or eclipsing images
- Temporary partial paralysis
- Painful tingling sensations
Some migraine patients experience vertigo and other symptoms of migraine aura separately from migraine headaches. Migraine vertigo can last for hours or days.
Migraine Headaches and Dizziness- Stop the Ride, I want to get off!
Vestibular migraine
Vestibular migraines are a type of migraine with aura that produces intense vertigo instead of throbbing headaches. Sudden rocking sensations make you feel dizzy and nauseous, and may last for hours.
Triggers of vestibular migraines include:
- Sudden movements
- Turning the head abruptly
- Driving or being a passenger
- Large crowds
Scientists are certain what causes vestibular migraines, but they believe it is an inherited disorder.
Hemiplegic Migraine Headaches
Hemiplegic migraines are MA-type migraines that may occur as early as childhood. Unlike vestibular migraines, hemiplegic migraines cause severe head pain, in addition to dizziness, paralysis on one side of the body, and other MA symptoms. Hemiplegic migraines are typically longer-lasting than other types of migraines, and sometimes (but rarely) result in pervasive balance disorders.
Scientists believe that genetic mutations may be the cause of hemiplegic migraines and dizziness.
Medications
Topamax, an anticonvulsant prescribed for epilepsy, is a popular treatment endorsed for migraine headaches. For some, Topamax provides dramatic relief from migraine attacks.
However, a significant number of migraine patients using Topamax complain of side effects such as dizziness, brain fog, fatigue, and memory loss.
Are Migraines linked with Epileptic Seizures? It’s Genetics
Chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)
ME/CFS shares several links with migraine disorder, including symptoms like vertigo, chronic pain, and sluggishness. Like migraines, chronic fatigue syndrome occurs in the brain, as a result of the nervous system’s hypersensitivity to various stimuli.
Meniere’s disease
Meniere’s disease is a balance disorder that occurs in the inner ear and the brain. Symptoms include vertigo, ear fullness, partial hearing loss, and tinnitus (ear ringing). A significant number of Meniere’s disease patients also suffer from migraines.
Migraines and Meniere’s disease: a Match made in Hades
Please tell us…
Do you have any questions or suggestions? Please leave your comments below.
Share with your friends!
If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, Facebook, or Google+.
You might also like:
Migraine Comorbidity is not a Death Sentence
When Migraine Aura with Aphasia leaves you Lost for Words
Sources:
What are vestibular migraines?
Balance Problems- Mayo Clinic
Migraines & Central Sensitization in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Images:
MontyPython, APM Alex, Mykl Roventine
Tags: Causes of dizziness with migraine, Migraine headaches symptoms, migraine symptoms, Vertigo and migraines
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Monday, November 14th, 2011
Migraine aura can cause strange migraine headache symptoms like visual distortions, speech slurring, nausea…and hot flashes. With or without throbbing headaches, migraine with aura can be disconcerting. Learn about what causes migraines with aura, and how you can find headache relief.
Migraine headache symptoms
Migraine headaches strike millions of Americans, but overwhelming majorities of migraine sufferers are women, about three to one. Migraine symptoms include throbbing headaches on one side, in addition to other symptoms like sharp eye pain, neck and shoulder pain, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, extreme sensitivity to light, noise, and smells, and vertigo. Comorbid conditions of migraine illness are depression, chronic fatigue, anxiety, and sleep problems.
Also, read What are the Signs of Migraine Attack? 30 Migraine Symptoms
Migraine aura- with or without headache symptoms
A migraine aura happens about fifteen minutes before a migraine attack. Migraines with aura may or may not result in severe headache, but they are still migraines. Migraine aura symptoms include sudden distorted speech patterns (talking gibberish), distorted sense of spatial awareness, visual hallucinations, temporary partial blindness, olfactory hallucinations, temporary partial paralysis, muscular feebleness, loss of consciousness, dizziness, and nausea. Migraine aura symptoms are often confused with epileptic seizure or stroke.
Migraine auras separate from the migraine prodrome phase, which occurs a few days before a migraine attack. For more info on migraine phases, read The Four Phases of Migraine Headache Attacks
Hot flashes and migraine aura- studies confirm a link
Another migraine aura symptom that sometimes shocks many migraine patients is sudden hot flashes, similar to those experienced during menopause. Migraine “vasomotor” symptoms are hot face, including cheeks, nose, and ears, sweating from the face, and red, flushed cheeks. The vasomotor reaction to migraines is part of migraine aura.
- In 2009, a German study focusing on vasomotor reactivity in migraine with aura found a higher incidence of vasomotor changes among migraine with aura (MA) patients than those who did not experience aura with their migraines.
- In 2008, a study conducted by an Italian university focused on increased cerebral vasomotor reactivity and cerebral blood flow among migraine with aura patients. Scientists noted a significant alteration of cerebral autoregulation, including vasomotor reaction, among migraine with aura sufferers
What to do about migraine aura hot flashes:
Women, determine that your hot flashes are not menopausal, or perimenopausal. If your hot headedness is part of migraine aura symptoms, then your best bet is to respond immediately with migraine medication, in addition to natural migraine ingredients , such as magnesium, and butterbur, and riboflavin.
Read more about migraines with aura:
Go Ask Alice: Migraine Auras in Wonderland
Why do Migraines cause Nausea and Vomiting?
Sources:
Changes in functional vasomotor reactivity in migraine with aura- PubMed NCBI
Increased cerebral vasomotor reactivity in migraine with aura: an autoregulation disorder? A transcranial Doppler and near-infrared spectroscopy study- PubMed NCBI
Migraine with aura- Mayo Clinic
Photo credits, from top:
justDONQUE.images, cohdra
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