Migraines

A migraine is a severe headache typically affecting one side of the head. Migraines can have accompanying symptoms of nausea, vomiting and dizziness coupled with sensitivity to light and sound. The two prevalent types of migraine and termed 'classic' and 'common'. Migraines can affect people of all ages.

In This Article

Watch the migraines video	Causes of migraines
Symptoms of migraines	Diagnosing migraines
Related terms

Watch the migraines video

Did you know?

In the UK, 1 in 8 people suffer migraines
Sufferers have on average 13 migraine attacks a year
Migraines cost the UK approximately £1 billion per year
Migraines affect more than twice as many women as men
Nearly 3 million school days are missed due to migraines

Causes of migraines

The exact causes of migraine headaches are unclear but a key element is a change in blood flow around the brain from a variety of triggers. Migraine headaches are vascular headaches that may be caused by chemical changes in the brain. Before the headache begins, a drop in level of the message-sending chemical serotonin narrows blood vessels and causes symptoms of aura (flashing lights, lines or vision loss). This is followed by an enlargement of the temporal artery and further chemical releases under the skin of the temple causing pain and inflammation. Hormones are also linked to migraines and women are more likely to suffer a migraine attack during the time of their period.

Triggers for migraine headaches can be from emotional, physical, environmental, dietary and pharmacological factors. Emotional factors such as stress, anxiety, depression, trauma or excitement can trigger a migraine attack. Physical factors such as being overly tired, poor posture, muscle tension, sleep disturbance and travel can lead to migraine headaches. Environmental factors of loud noise, bright lights, pollution, strong odours, computer monitors, air quality and temperature changes can trigger migraines.

Poor diet and specific foods have also been associated with migraine headaches. Irregular eating patterns, dehydration, excessive alcohol consumption and dieting can lead to migraine attacks. Migraine sufferers have also linked drinking caffeine and eating chocolate, cheese and citrus fruits to their attacks. Pharmacological factors from prescribed medicines such as sleeping pills, contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy can trigger migraine headaches.

Symptoms of migraines

'Classic' migraine headaches have several associated symptoms. Before the headache begins (typically 15-60 minutes) an aura of flashing lights, zigzag lines or blurred sight affects the periphery edge of vision. This can be accompanied by tingling, stiffness and lack of coordination. Auras can be warning signs of an imminent migraine headache which will have the symptoms associated with a 'common' migraine.

Common migraine symptoms are an intense pain on one side of the head (that can shift position) and the headache is usually described as a throbbing pain made worse during movement. Accompanying symptoms can include nausea, vomiting and increased sensitivity to light, sound and smell. Migraines can last anywhere from 4-72 hours and its effects can leave a sufferer feeling tired for many days afterwards.

Diagnosing migraines

A migraine is unpredictable and it will help a GP to diagnose it by keeping a diary of where and when the attacks occur and what foods were eaten that day. A GP can perform a physical and neurological examination to determine mental functions such as vision, reflexes and sensation. These simple tests can rule out any underlying condition that may be the cause of the headaches

Related terms

Head Pain
Headaches
Ache
Throbbing Migraine
Sick
Nausea
Vomiting
Lights
Hearing loss
Pounding Migraine
Splitting Migraine
Bilateral Migraine
Cluster Migraine
Tension Migraine
Stress Migraine
Sinus Migraine
Painkillers
Aspirin
Vasodilatation
Neurological dysfunction
Subdural haematomas
Epidural haematomas
Subarachnoid haemorrhage
Cephalgia
Chronic Pain

Therapies to consider

Acupressure	Acupuncture	Alexander Technique
Allergy Intolerance Testing	Aromatherapy	Ayurvedic Medicine
Chinese Herbal Medicine	Chiropractic	Colonic Hydrotherapy
Colour Therapy	Cranial Osteopathy	Craniosacral Therapy
Deep Tissue Massage	Detoxification	Ear Candling
EFT	EMDR	Energy Healing
Hawaiian Massage	Herbal Medicine	Holistic Massage
Hypnotherapy	Indian Head Massage	Kinesiology
Massage	Naturopathy	NLP
Nutrition	Osteopathy	Personal Training
Physiotherapy	Pilates	Podiatry (Chiropody)
Reflexology	Reiki	Remedial Massage
Shiatsu	Sports Massage	Vertical Reflex Therapy
Yoga

Health Articles & Videos

Acupuncture and Migraines

Yoga treating stress, anxiety and migraines

Migraines (alternative therapies)

Migraines - real life story

Migraines

Health News

Migraines may lower risk of breast cancer

Alternative medicine for headaches: Acupuncture helps migraines

Migraines could be made worse by headache medications

Women's migraines could increase heart risk

Family life is affected by migraines

Other Health Articles/Videos

Can acupuncture help infertility?

Bedwetting

The link between stress and personality

Gastric Band Hypnotherapy - What Is It and How Does It Work?

Acupuncture for back pain

The benefits of positive belief for weight loss

Bone health through good nutrition

Confident cycling

Bereavement and Loss and the Importance of Grief Counselling

Cooking with kids


	Advertise Here By getting your products and services listed on GoToSee, you will be helping your business to be found by a highly targeted group of new potential clients. Contact our sales team here