brain, spinal cord, and nerve disorders
Migraines
Causes of Migraine
Migraines occur in people whose nervous system is more sensitive than that of other people. In these people, nerve cells in the brain are easily stimulated, producing electrical activity. As electrical activity spreads over the brain, various functions, such as vision, sensation, balance, muscle coordination, and speech, are temporarily disturbed. These disturbances cause the symptoms that occur before the headache (called the aura). The headache occurs when the 5th cranial (trigeminal) nerve is stimulated. This nerve sends impulses (including pain impulses) from the eyes, scalp, forehead, upper eyelids, mouth, and jaw to the brain. When stimulated, the nerve may release substances that cause painful inflammation in the blood vessels of the brain (cerebral blood vessels) and the layers of tissues that cover the brain (meninges). The inflammation accounts for the throbbing headache, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. Estrogen, the main female hormone, appears to trigger migraines, possibly explaining why migraines are more common among women. Migraines can probably be triggered whenestrogenlevels increase or fluctuate. During puberty (whenestrogenlevels increase), migraines become much more common among girls than among boys. Some women have migraines just before, during, or just after menstrual periods. Migraines often occur less often and become less severe in the last trimester of pregnancy whenestrogenlevels are relatively stable, and they worsen after childbirth whenestrogenlevels decrease rapidly. As menopause approaches (whenestrogenlevels are fluctuating), migraines become particularly difficult to control. Oral contraceptives (which containestrogen) and estrogen therapy may make migraines worse and may increase the risk of stroke in women who have migraines with an aura. Other triggers include the following: Lack of sleep, including insomnia Changes in the weather, particularly barometric pressure Red wine Certain foods Hunger (as when meals are skipped) Excessive stimulation of the senses (for example, by flashing lights or strong odors) Stress Various foods have been associated with migraines, but whether they trigger migraines is unclear. These foods include Foods that contain tyramine, such as aged cheeses, soy products, fava beans, hard sausages, smoked or dried fish, and some nuts Foods that contain nitrates, such as hot dogs and lunch meats Foods that contain MSG (monosodium glutamate), a flavor enhancer found in fast foods, broths, seasonings, and spices Caffeine(including that in chocolate) Which foods trigger migraines varies from person to person. Head injuries, neck pain, or a problem with the joint of the jaw ( Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs) sometimes triggers or worsens migraines. Familial hemiplegic migraine, a rare subtype of migraine, causes weakness on one side of the body. It is associated with genetic defects on chromosome 1, 2, or 19. The role of genes in the more common forms of migraine is under study. In some families, family members have different migraine symptoms. Some have mainly headache. Some have mainly Dizziness and Vertigo (a type of dizziness) or weakness on one side of the body. Some have only a migraine aura with no headache. These findings suggest that migraine may be more than just a headache disorder. is another rare subtype of migraine. It can cause Dizziness and Vertigo , 