One of
these theories suggests that certain arteries in our brain contract and cause a
reduction blood flow to the visual area of our brain. It is suggested that this
reduction of blood flow results in the visual and other symptoms that accompany
a migraine.
Then,
when blood vessels expand and put pressure on the nerves in the artery wall,
there is pain. The underlying causes of these contractions and dilations of the
cortroid arteries are more obscure. Susceptibility tends to run in families and
affects more women than men.
Migraine
patients are more prone to fainting when standing up suddenly than other people,
and they are also more sensitive than other people to the vasodilatory effects
of physical and chemical agents.
Magnesium Deficiency
Another
theory proposes that nerve cells in the brain begin to lose function which
causes a reduction in blood flow, which reduces levels of magnesium, which in
turn adds to decreasing nerve cell function and that this dysfunction spreads in
a wave like fashion to all effected areas.
Blood
platelet disorder
Blood
platelet disorder has also been implicated, with the platelets of migraine
sufferers aggregating more readily than normal platelets in response to
neurotransmitters such as serotonin and adrenaline, the "stress" hormone.
Serotonin
Many
researchers feel that serotonin, an important brain chemical may fuel migraines.
Platelets (components of our blood) contain all of the serotonin normally
present in blood, and, after they aggregate, (clump together) serotonin is
released, resulting in a potent constricting effect on the arteries.
You can
trigger a release of serotonin by eating certain foods, drinking certain
beverages, stressing out or sometimes just oversleeping. When this happens, the
blood vessels in your head narrow. As your kidneys process the serotonin and the
level of this hormone like substance drops, the vessels dilate rapidly, pressing
on surrounding nerves and causing pain and inflammation. The ache can last for
hours or days because the swelling lingers after the blood vessels return to
normal.
The
nervous system Disorders
The
nervous system itself may also be implicated, as it releases specific
neurotransmitters, possibly in response to chronic stress.
Food
Certain
foods contain chemicals-amines-that dilate the blood vessels, causing a rebound
vasodilation and may thus precipitate an attack.
Other
people are sensitive to foods containing MSG, the flavor enhancer, or nitrates,
which are commonly found in bacon, hot dogs, and other preserved meats.
Some
people are sensitive to artificial sweeteners like Aspartame, which is found in
Nutrasweet.
Food
Allergy
You may
allergic or sensitive to certain foods. And this can start a migraine.
Food
allergy has also been implicated as an important factor in migraine. In one
study, 60 patients who had been suffering from frequent migraines for a mean
duration of about 20 years followed an exclusion diet for five days. During that
time, only two low-risk foods (usually lamb and pears) and spring water were
consumed. Migraines disappeared in most cases by the fifth day. Each patient
then tested one to three common foods per day, looking for reactions. The mean
number of foods causing symptoms was 10 per patient (range, 1 to 30). The foods
most frequently causing symptoms and/or pulse changes were wheat (78%), orange
(65%), egg (45%), tea and coffee (40% each), chocolate and milk (37% each), beef
(35%), corn, cane sugar and yeast (33% each), mushrooms (30%), and peas (28%).
When the offending foods were avoided, all patients improved. The number of
headaches in the group fell from 402 to 6 per month, with 85% of the patients
becoming headache free. This study provides strong evidence that identification
and avoidance of allergy causing foods is an effective procedure for a large
proportion of patients with chronic recurrent migraines.
Low
Blood Sugar or Hypoglycemia
For most
people, low blood sugar caused by fasting or irregular meals often brings on a
headache; but it quickly disappears following a meal. But for people prone to
migraines, the low blood sugar may start off a chain reaction that a belated
meal will not stop.
In one
study, a five-hour glucose tolerance test was performed on 74 patients who
experienced migraines in the mid-morning or mid-afternoon. Six patients (8%)
were classified as diabetic and 56 (76%) had a pattern consistent with reactive
hypoglycemia (a large drop in blood sugar after a meal). Following dietary
therapy with a low-sucrose, six-meal regimen, all patients with a diabetic
glucose curve and 56% of those with reactive hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) had
an improvement of greater than 75% in the frequency and severity of migraines.
Balanced
meals eaten on a regular schedule are a must for those suffering from migraines.
Many migraine sufferers find that they must eat something every few hours to
prevent headaches. Chromium can help stabilize the blood sugar.
Foods
Containing Tyramine
Foods
containing tyramine, in particular, are known to trigger attacks. A small
proportion of migraine patients will react to tyramine, a chemical found in aged
cheese, yogurt, beer, wine, liver, yeast and certain other foods.
In these
patients, avoidance of tyramine-containing foods will often prevent recurrences
of migraine.
Estrogen
Level Fluctuation in Women
Women
suffer from migraines much more frequently than men. Recent research has pointed
to fluctuating levels of estrogen as a factor in their development. For these
women, headaches can disappear during pregnancy, when estrogen levels are
constant. If you get a headache every month just before your period, it could be
because your blood-sugar levels are dropping. Take chromium as supplement to
remedy this. Muscle cramping can also contribute to period-related headaches.
Calcium and evening primrose oil are helpful. Menopause can bring complete
relief from headaches, or, for some women, make them worse. Birth control pills
affect migraines as well.
Many
women find that certain stimulants such as alcohol which have no effect on them
regularly can trigger an attack if they're consumed just before a menstrual
period or at the time of ovulation. If you are a menstruating woman who suffers
from migraines, be sure to make note of your menstrual cycle on your headache
diary. Check to see if headaches occur just before you begin to menstruate or
when you ovulate, and note any triggers during those times. If you are a
postmenopausal women on estrogen therapy, you may find that a change in your
hormone treatment will help your headaches. Discuss this with your doctor.
Stress,
Anxiety and Excitement
Stress,
anxiety, and excitement promote the release of hormones and neurotransmitters,
which can provoke a migraine attack. While it may be difficult to avoid stress,
it can be alleviated through exercise. One researcher reported that several of
his patients became migraine-free after jogging 7 to 9 miles a day, at a speed
of seven to nine minutes per mile. Of course jogging is not suitable for
everyone, but even moderate exercise can relieve tension and stress. Adopt a
regular exercise program even if it's just a brisk half-hour walk four or five
days a week.
Other
Factors
Other
factors that have been known to precipitate migraines are:
|
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Changes in routine, such as late rising on a holiday or change of
working hours; |
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Changes in climate, high winds, loud or high-pitched sounds;
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Bright sunlight and bright artificial light, such as fluorescent;
and |
|
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Prolonged staring at television, movie, or computer screens. |
Weather
Researchers say warm winds may trigger migraines. Studies shows effects of warm
westerly winds called "chinooks" on 75 migraine patients. Nearly half of the
sufferers appeared to be affected by a change in the weather with the arrival of
the chinook.
Older
patients were the most susceptible. Some patients were more likely to get
migraines during the days before the front moved through. Others suffered worst
on days when wind speeds reached more than 24 mph.
Factors
In Combination
Identifying the factor responsible for your migraine may be complicated by the
fact that there may be more than one. For instance, skipping breakfast may not
affect you most days, but it may trigger a headache if you are also tired and
under stress. Getting up unusually early may normally be no problem, but if you
rise before dawn on the day before your period, it may plunge you into a
migraine. Keeping a diary of activities, including what and when you eat, is
really the best way to pinpoint the causes of your migraines.
Other
Triggers for Migraine
Triggers
for migraines are highly individual but strong emotions of anger, excitement or
anxiety are common. Whiplash, sleep deprivation, jet lag, oversleeping,
excessive smoking and strong odors like perfumes and tobacco can also cause
migraine.
An iron
deficiency often causes migraine headaches due to insufficient oxygenation of
the brain. Less common and controversial migraine triggers include spinal
misalignments (correctable by osteopathic or chiropractic adjustments),
temperomandibularjaw (TMJ) syndrome and toxic heavy metal hypersensitivity, such
as from mercury dental fillings.
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