A young woman holding her painful head
What is a Migraine?
If you’ve ever experienced a migraine, you know that it’s much more than a simple headache. With symptoms and pain that can seriously disrupt your daily life, a migraine is more like an explosion inside your skull. Common symptoms include severe pain across the entire skull, sensitivity to light and sounds, nausea, vomiting, vertigo, and vision changes. Though typical migraines last less than a day, severe migraine sufferers have reported feeling symptoms for up to ten days!
Underlying Causes of Migraines
So, what causes a migraine? Unfortunately, the definite causes of migraines are still under dispute within the medical community. However, there are a few underlying causes that can make it much more likely to predict who will experience migraines. One of the largest contributing factors to migraine suffering includes irregularities in the size and structure of the blood vessels. The pain that is associated with migraines comes from a rush of blood and consequent swelling of the blood vessels in the brain’s tissue. Therefore, if you have an underlying blood disease or condition, you are more likely to experience migraines. Other theories include a flush of stress hormones triggered by abnormalities of the nervous system or mental health disorders like anxiety and schizophrenia.
Common Migraine Triggers
Though underlying causes are still being debated, there have been a number of migraine triggers identified by medical professionals. Some of the most common triggers include:
- Consumption of alcohol and caffeine. Alcohol and caffeine both cause the body to become dehydrated, which can exaggerate the symptoms of a standard headache. A migraine can be onset as a result.
- Sensory stimulation. Exposure to excessively bright lights and loud noises have been found to trigger migraines in those that find themselves particularly sensitive to these stimuli.
- Sleep cycle changes. Shifts in the circadian rhythm caused by experiencing too much or too little sleep have been found to cause changes in hormonal patterns which can lead to migraines.
- Stress. Excessive levels of stress have been found to release high levels of the hormone cortisol, which is associated with headaches and migraines.
- Certain foods. Though the research is still out on whether or not certain foods have a definite connection to migraines, there is a body of anecdotal evidence that suggests that salty foods, processed foods, and aged foods like cheeses and wine can play a role in the onset of a migraine.
Increased Risk Factors
Though anyone can suffer from a migraine, there are also a few identified risk factors that can increase your likelihood of experiencing chronic headaches or migraines. Some of the most pronounced risk factors include…
- Hormones. Thanks to shifting hormones, teens and adolescents are most likely to experience a migraine than their older peers. If you’re a teen dealing with migraines, don’t give up hope; current research suggests that many chronic migraine sufferers see their symptoms improve after age 30.
- Gender. After puberty, women are three times more likely to experience chronic migraines than men.
- Genetics. Mom and dad might be to blame for your migraine woes! 90% of patients who suffer from chronic migraines have a close family member who also suffers.
The solution to chronic migraines is much more complicated than taking a Tylenol and catching a quick nap. Chiropractic therapy from the Pain and Injury Clinic of Utah, located in Ogden, UT can help ease the pain associated with migraines and get you back on the track to a healthier and more comfortable life! If you or someone that you know is suffering from the pain of migraines, schedule your chiropractic assessment today with Dr. Freeland!
Other services:
Auto Accident Injury Treatment
Pain & Injury Clinic:
1186 E 4600 S
Suite 220
Ogden, UT 84403
(801) 475-1910