Understanding Migraines: Impacts on The Brain and Body

A migraine is a specific kind of headache that many people suffer from. Migraines are very severe, causing throbbing, pulsing head pain on one side of the head. Most migraines last for a few hours, but some can last days. Read the following blog to learn about this condition that approximately 15% of the world suffers from.

What are Migraines?

A migraine is a health condition that is more than just a bad headache. The symptoms of migraine are different from person to person, but often include severe headaches that keep coming back. They can also include nausea, vomiting, changes in mood, extreme tiredness, sensitivity to light, noise, and smells. These symptoms can happen all at once during a migraine attack, or they can happen separately in between migraine attacks. Migraine attacks may last from hours to days, both make it hard for people to complete everyday tasks.

Types of Migraines

There are several types of migraines. The most common migraine categories are migraine with aura (classic migraine) migraine without aura (common migraine). An aura is a phase of the migraine before head pain begins. Aura usually occurs 30 minutes before and consists of blurred vision, blind spots, and flashing lights that aren’t really there. Other types of migraines include 

·      Migraines in children (abdominal migraine)- Migraines affect children of all ages, including infants. Up to 2.5% of children younger than 7 years old have had a migraine. By the age of 10, about 5% of children have experienced a migraine. Children’s migraines typically affect both sides of their head, whereas adult migraines more often are one-sided. Children’s migraine attacks are often shorter than adult migraines.

• Chronic migraine- Chronic migraines simply last longer or happen more often. At least 15 days in a month where someone experiences a headache or migraine. This must happen for at least three months, between 1.7% and 4% of women have chronic migraines, compared to 0.6% to 0.7% of men and people assigned male at birth.

• Hemiplegic migraine- A hemiplegic migraine is a rare type of migraine that happens with one-sided muscle weakness, looks very similar to a stroke. Muscle weakness may be accompanied by sensory, vision or speech changes. A familial hemiplegic migraine is genetic while a sporadic hemiplegic migraine is not genetic.

• Menstrual migraine- Menstrual migraines occur when a woman is on her period cycle, and they are caused by changes in estrogen levels. Quick changes in hormones can also trigger mild or severe migraines.

• Migraine without headache (silent migraine)- A silent migraine has all the aura symptoms (blurred vision, blind spots, and flashing lights) but no throbbing headache occurs. About 5% of people who suffer with migraines have silent migraines.

• Retinal migraine (ocular migraine)- Ocular migraine involves attacks of visual disturbances that affect one eye and migraine headaches. The visual issues are temporary. Typically, blind spots and flashing lights occur.

• Status Migrainosus- Status Migrainosus is a migraine attack that lasts longer than 72 hours. Symptoms of a migraine, like throbbing head pain, are usually more severe than expected. Symptoms like vomiting are common. This kind of migraine is the most severe and sometimes doctors are needed

What Causes and Triggers Migraines?

The causes of migraines aren't fully understood; however, genetics and environmental factors are believed to play a role. Changes in the brainstem and its interactions with the trigeminal nerve, a major pain pathway, might be involved. Imbalances in brain chemicals, including serotonin, helps regulate pain in your nervous system, might have a connection with migraines. Researchers are currently studying the role of serotonin in migraines. Some known triggers of migraines are hormones, diet, and changes to normal life.

·      Hormonal changes in women- Fluctuations in estrogen, such as before or during menstrual periods, pregnancy and menopause, seem to trigger headaches in many women.

• Drinks- These include alcohol, especially wine, and too much caffeine, such as coffee can cause migraines because it causes the blood vessels that surround the brain to fluctuate in size

• Stress- Stress at work, school, or home can cause migraines because of the tension within muscles around the brain

• Sensory stimuli- Bright or flashing lights can induce migraines, as can loud sounds. Other sensory stimuli such as strong smells (perfume, paint thinner, secondhand smoke and others) trigger migraines in some people.

• Sleep changes. Missing sleep or getting too much sleep can trigger migraines in some people. Changes/inconsistency in sleep schedules can also trigger migraines.

• Physical strain- Intense physical exertion on the body can provoke migraines.

• Weather changes- A change of weather or barometric pressure can prompt a migraine.

• Medications- All kinds of medications can aggravate migraines.

• Foods- Foods with caffeine, artificial sweeteners, alcohol, chocolate, MSG, dairy, and fermented foods can cause migraines.

Phases to Migraines

There are four main phases to a migraine attack. The first is prodrome, then aura, then the headache, and lastly the postdrome.

·      The prodrome- The very beginning of the migraine attack. This phase can happen a few hours to a few days before a headache starts. Symptoms can include food cravings, unexplained mood changes such as feeling unexpectedly sad or very happy, uncontrollable yawning, fluid retention, or increased urination.

·      Aura- The auras appear about 10 minutes to an hour before the actual headache, and usually last no more than an hour. Aura symptoms include vision changes, trouble speaking, tingling in the hands/face, and confusion. Some people will see flashing or bright lights, experience muscle weakness, or the sensation of being touched or grabbed.

·      Headache- The headache during a migraine attack usually starts and gradually gets more intense. Headache pain may happen without warning and is usually felt on one side of the head. Other common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, smell, and sound, confusion, blurred vision, mood changes, and fatigue. This phase can last from hours to days. It's also possible to have a migraine without a headache. In these cases, a person may have visual problems or other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or constipation.  

·      Postdrome- During the postdrome, people are usually exhausted or confused after a migraine. They might have a hard time concentrating, feel dizzy, or experience mood changes. The postdrome period may last up to two days before people feel healthy again.

Solutions to Migraines

Once a person can feel the warning signs to a migraine, there are steps to take to stop or prevent a severe migraine from occurring. Staying in dim light can be beneficial in helping migraines. Using hot or cold compresses on the head or neck can work. Ice packs have a numbing effect, which may dull the pain. Hot packs and heating pads can relax tense muscles. Warm showers or baths may have a similar effect. A good night sleep can help migraines. In a study based on population, sleep was the main protective factor against migraine attack. Having consistent exercise, a healthy diet, and managed stress, the chances of a severe migraine are significantly lower. Medications can be used as well, such as pain relievers and preventative medications.

Citations

“Migraine.” National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/migraine

“How to Get Rid of a Migraine.” Cleveland Clinic, 9 Sept. 2024, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/5005-migraine-headaches

“Migraines: Steps to Head off the Pain.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 4 Oct. 2022 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/migraine-headache/in-depth/migraines/art-20047242

Waliszewska-Prosół, Marta, et al. “Migraine and Sleep-an Unexplained Association?” International Journal of Molecular Sciences, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 24 May 2021, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8197397/#:~:text=In%20most%20cases%2C%20sleep%20is,sleep%20or%20insomnia%20%5B21%5D