What Is Meant By A Migraine And Precisely What Are Its Symptoms?

One of the commonest migraine symptoms is an acute throbbing pain that is usually situated on just one side of the head close to the temple. Migraines, unlike normal headaches, are also frequently accompanied by other symptoms that can include sensitivity to noise and light, nausea and sometimes vomiting.

Migraines are reasonably common and affect about 10% of the population of America, or more than 28 million Americans. They are also far more often experienced by women rather than men (about three times more women suffer from migraines) and can also be found occasionally in children.

Although migraine headaches are so common and frequently very painful with attacks lasting anywhere from a matter of hours to several days, only about 50% of all sufferers ever consult their physician and the remainder choose to suffer in silence.

Migraines had long been thought to be were caused by a of dilation of the blood vessels in the head but, in spite of the fact that there is no general consensus, medical opinion seems to be moving away from this theory in favor of a genetic basis for this condition. It is now believed that migraine headaches are produced by the interaction of certain brain chemicals like serotonin with the nerve cells. At this time however the truth is that we are really not sure what cause migraines.

There are in fact two forms of the condition, the first of which is referred to as 'classical migraine'and is characterized by an associated 'aura'. Here the term 'aura' refers to visual light effects which are experienced just prior to the start of a headache including such things as bright light spots and flashing lights. In some people a total loss of vision may be experienced for some minutes before the onset of the headache.

The second type of migraine headache is simply a migraine with no prior symptoms of an 'aura'.

Just as we do not really know what causes a migraine, so too we have little idea about just what gives rise to an attack, though there are a number of factors that do appear likely to trigger an attack. For example, too much sleep seems to be one factor and so does missing meals or eating certain foods such as cheese.

Hormonal factors are also believed to influence both the onset of attacks and their severity and this is evidenced the higher incidence of migraines in women. In part this is thought to be because of the effect of estrogen on the blood vessels and it has been noted in some studies that there is a connection between the contraceptive pill (which contains estrogen) and migraines.

However, just to confuse matters studies have also shown that simple everyday activities such as walking up stairs can trigger a migraine attack, as can exposure to heat or cold, loud noises, flashing lights and occasionally stress.

Fortunately, there are several migraine treatments available, although no single treatment is really effective in all cases. Over-the-counter medications are however seldom effective and, if you suffer from migraines, you are best advised to seek the help of your physician in finding an answer which works for you.