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Migraine

Condition Overview:

Migraine headaches vary from person to person, but they are usually characterized by severe pain on one or both sides of the head and often are accompanied by other symptoms. They may include nausea and vomiting, light sensitivity and distorted vision, dizziness, fever and chills.

The precise mechanisms of a migraine headache are not completely understood. There appears to be general agreement, however, that a key element is changes in the blood flow within the brain due to a variety of triggers.The early warning signs of a migraine are thought to be due to a narrowing of the blood vessels within the brain, while the pain in the head is due to the subsequent expanding or dilating of the blood vessels. The dilation of the blood vessels results in the release of pain-producing substances called prostaglandins. Other chemicals that cause inflammation and swelling, along with some that increase sensitivity to pain, are also released. These various chemicals, along with the dilation of the scalp vessels, stimulates pain receptors and results in a headache.

The precise mechanisms of a migraine headache are not completely understood. There appears to be general agreement, however, that a key element is changes in the blood flow within the brain due to a variety of triggers.

The early warning signs of a migraine are thought to be due to a narrowing of the blood vessels within the brain, while the pain in the head is due to the subsequent expanding or dilating of the blood vessels. The dilation of the blood vessels results in the release of pain-producing substances called prostaglandins. Other chemicals that cause inflammation and swelling, along with some that increase sensitivity to pain, are also released. These various chemicals, along with the dilation of the scalp vessels, stimulates pain receptors and results in a headache.

No cure exists for migraines, although the headaches can be controlled for most patients. Medications for treating migraine headaches can be used either to relieve symptoms after the onset of the headache, or to prevent headaches from occurring.

When prescribing and using headache medications, experts warn against the quick fix, taking more potent pain medications with increasing frequency. This method of treatment most recently has been shown to result in "rebound headaches," a condition in which the headaches persist on a daily basis and become increasingly resistant to treatment.Symptomatic medications for migraine are given to alleviate or decrease the symptoms of the attack. Talk with your physician before taking any of these medications because people with certain medical conditions may be advised.