What is migraine?
Half to three-quarters of adults aged 18–65 years in the world have had headaches in the last year and, among those individuals, 30% or more have reported migraine. Headache on 15 or more days every month affects 1.7–4% of the world’s adult population.
It has a variety of symptoms, most notably severe headache pain. But a migraine episode is so much more than just a bad headache. The symptoms vary from person to person but can include:
- intense headache pain
- nausea
- vomiting
- sensitivity to sounds
- sensitivity to smells
- sensitivity to light
- changes in vision
Migraine can be episodic or chronic. If you experience migraine pain on 14 days a month or less, doctors classify the condition as episodic.
If you experience the pain on 15 days a month or more and have other migraine symptoms on most of these days, doctors consider it chronic migraine.
Causes
Migraine is a bit of a mystery. While the exact cause is unclear, researchers have identified a few contributing factors, including:
- genetics
- environmental factors
- levels of serotonin in the body
- electrical activity in the brain
Researchers continue to look into the potential causes of migraine.
Triggers
Experts believe that certain factors can trigger a migraine episode. The best way to prevent migraine episodes is to avoid their triggers. These can vary from person to person, and most people with migraine have several triggers.
Often, foods and drinks are involved, including:
- alcohol, especially red wine
- cheese and other dairy products
- chocolate
- coffee
- cured meats
- any foods that have a strong smell
- preservatives and sweeteners, such as aspartame, monosodium glutamate, which is better known as MSG, and nitrates, which are often in processed meats
Other common triggers include:
- Skipping meals. Missing meals altogether or not eating proper meals can lead to a migraine attack.
- Exercise. An intense workout session may trigger a migraine episode, especially if you haven’t been active in a while.
- Dehydration. For some, even the slightest dehydration can bring on a migraine attack.
- Sensory stimulation. Unusually bright lights, loud noises, or strong smells may set off a migraine episode. Flashlights, bright sun, perfume, paint, and cigarette smoke are all common triggers.
- Hormonal changes. Up to 75 percent of women with migraine report that attacks develop around the time of their periods. Others report migraine episodes during pregnancy or menopause. Experts believe that fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone levels during these times and can trigger migraine episodes.
- Hormone medications. Birth control and hormone replacement therapy, for example, can also trigger or worsen migraine attacks. But sometimes, these treatments may actually reduce migraine headaches.
- Other medications. Vasodilators, such as nitroglycerin, which are used to treat conditions like high blood pressure or heart failure, can trigger migraine episodes.
- Stress. Stress may be a trigger for almost 70 percent of people with migraine. Emotional stress may stem from demands at work or at home, and physical stress, from overexertion or sexual activity, for example, can also trigger migraine attacks.
- Irregular sleep. Sleeping too much or too little can be triggers. If you don’t have a routine sleep schedule, you may experience more migraine episodes.
- Weather changes. Storms, intense heat waves, and shifts in barometric pressure can trigger migraine episodes.
- Screen time. Many people find that spending a lot of time in front of a computer can bring on migraine attacks.
Risk factors
Not everyone exposed to triggers develops migraine. The following factors can help influence your risk of developing the condition:
- Age. A first migraine episode can happen at any age, but most people with migraine have their first episode during adolescence.
- Family history. If a close family member has migraine, this increases your risk. In fact, 90 percent of people with the condition have a family history of it. If one parent has migraine, your risk is about 50 percent. That risk increases to 75 percent if both parents have migraine.
- Sex. During childhood, migraine is more common in males. After puberty, females become three times more likely to have it. The risk of migraine continues to rise in women until age 40 then starts to decrease.
- Age. A first migraine episode can happen at any age, but most people with migraine have their first episode during adolescence.
- Family history. If a close family member has migraine, this increases your risk. In fact, 90 percent of people with the condition have a family history of it. If one parent has migraine, your risk is about 50 percent. That risk increases to 75 percent if both parents have migraine.
- Sex. During childhood, migraine is more common in males. After puberty, females become three times more likely to have it. The risk of migraine continues to rise in women until age 40 then starts to decrease.
Treatment options
There are two main types of treatment for migraine: Acute and preventive treatment.
A person takes acute treatment during a migraine episode to relieve the symptoms and stop them from getting worse. Options include over-the-counter pain relievers, prescription medications, and devices. Many of these devices provide stimulation that affects the brain’s electrical signalling.
Preventive treatment aims to reduce the frequency, severity, and duration of migraine episodes before they start. Options include medications and procedures, as well as lifestyle changes and behavioural therapy.
Preventive treatment only works for about 40 percent of the people who take it. When it does work, it helps reduce the frequency of migraine episodes by at least 50 percent.
When to see a doctor?
If you experience migraine symptoms, make an appointment with a doctor. After they confirm the diagnosis, you can work together to determine which triggers to avoid and which treatment options to try.
Written by Kimberly Holland
Source: Healthline Media
