Now many headache researchers realize that changes in blood flow and blood vessels don't initiate the pain, but may contribute to it. Current thinking regarding migraine pain has moved more toward the source of the problem, as improved technology and research have paved the way for a better understanding.
Today, it is widely understood that chemical compounds and hormones, such as serotonin and estrogen, often play a role in pain sensitivity for migraine sufferers.
One aspect of migraine pain theory explains that migraine pain happens due to waves of activity by groups of excitable brain cells. These trigger chemicals, such as serotonin, to narrow blood vessels. Serotonin is a chemical necessary for communication between nerve cells.
It can cause narrowing of blood vessels throughout the body. When serotonin or estrogen levels change, the result for some is a migraine. Common symptoms of a migraine The main symptom of a migraine is usually an intense headache on 1 side of the head. In some cases, the pain can occur on both sides of your head and may affect your face or neck.
Additional symptoms Other symptoms commonly associated with a migraine include: feeling sick being sick increased sensitivity to light and sound, which is why many people with a migraine want to rest in a quiet, dark room Some people also occasionally experience other symptoms, including: sweating poor concentration, feeling very hot or very cold tummy abdominal pain diarrhoea Not everyone with a migraine experiences these additional symptoms and some people may experience them without having a headache.
Symptoms of aura About 1 in 3 people with migraines have temporary warning symptoms, known as aura, before a migraine. These include: visual problems — such as seeing flashing lights, zig-zag patterns or blind spots numbness or a tingling sensation like pins and needles — which usually starts in 1 hand and moves up your arm before affecting your face, lips and tongue feeling dizzy or off balance difficulty speaking loss of consciousness — although this is unusual Aura symptoms typically develop over the course of about 5 minutes and last for up to an hour.
Some people may experience aura followed by only a mild headache or no headache at all. The study was funded by a drug manufacturer. A recent analysis of the National Headache Foundation's American Migraine Prevalence and Prevention study found people with frequent migraine-related nausea have more severe pain and more trouble getting relief from medication than migraine sufferers with little or no nausea.
In the throes of a migraine attack, the migraine sufferer tends to seek refuge in a dark, quiet place. Bright lights and loud noises can trigger a migraine or intensify the pain. The same is true of certain odors. Some migraines are induced by exercise running, weight-lifting or exertion sexual activity. People with exertion-induced headaches require a thorough workup to rule out underlying causes, such as a brain aneurysm. Some people experience muscle weakness on one side of the body before a migraine attack.
This can also be a sign of a stroke, however, so consult a doctor to rule out any other causes. To get our top stories delivered to your inbox, sign up for the Healthy Living newsletter. One type of migraine, called a basilar-type migraine, can cause dizziness, double vision, or loss of vision. Some people with migraines may experience balance problems too.
In a recent study, Dr. Calhoun and colleagues found a link between migraine intensity and dizziness or vertigo. The stronger the migraine, the more likely patients were to have these complaints. In a recent study, researchers interviewed migraine patients and found that they commonly experienced symptoms such as fatigue, trouble concentrating, weakness, dizziness, lightheadedness, and loss of energy during the post-migraine period.
By Karen Pallarito Updated March 09, Save Pin More. How can you tell if you're having a migraine? Look for these symptoms. Start Slideshow.
Studio portrait shoot with non-binary people photographed in cinematic lighting. Credit: Getty Images. Some people with a migraine experience aura. Some patients have auras without a migraine-type headache or any headache at all. Mood changes can be a sign of migraines.
0コメント