The LIGHT Center, T-90, College of the Redwoods (476-4290) - February 6, 2000

Well, probably not given that the brain itself has no pain sensors. However, when one is stricken with a migraine headache, it can feel like the entire brain is going to explode.

Migraines generally begin in early childhood, but can emerge as late as young adulthood. Recent statistics suggest that almost 20 million women in America suffer from migraines, with 9 million being debilitated by them. This is not to say that men do not have migraines, they do; however migraines are two to three times more likely to occur in females than males. Males are more likely to have cluster headaches. There appears to be some genetic link in migraine occurrence, as they tend to run in families.

Migraine headaches differ from a more "typical" headache in that rather than being a pressure or pain over the entire head, a migraine tends to be a more severe throbbing pain. Often the migraine is centered in a discrete part of the head, such as over one or both temples or behind one eye or ear. A rapid widening and narrowing of the blood vessel walls in the brain cause such headaches. This can result in the pain fibers in the blood vessel wall becoming irritated. It can also spread to the vessel walls in the scalp. The intensity of the migraine headache can precipitate nausea, vomiting and excessive sensitivity to light and noise. While there are many types and subtypes of migraine headaches, two main forms are most common.

A warning or "aura" usually precedes a classic migraine headache. This can be in the form of a sudden change in vision, bright spots, zigzag lines, double vision and even temporary blindness. Often numbness of the hands, face and lips follows. Weakness in an arm or leg can be present, as can unsteadiness in walking, dizziness, confusion, and slurred speech. The aura can last anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, being followed by pain in the side of the head. Light and sound sensitivity usually follows the onset of the pain.

A common migraine typically appears out of nowhere. There is no warning of this type of headache. It begins with a throbbing headache that can be on one side or both sides of the head. Nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity also accompany this type to light and noise.

The triggers of a migraine headache are varied and often idiosyncratic. Some things that have been associated with the onset of a migraine headache include hunger, nicotine, cheese, weather changes, nuts, fatigue, avocados, oral contraceptives, chocolate, food cured with nitrates, emotional stress, menstruation, meat tenderizers, and alcohol. There is little research that identifies any one of these potential triggers more valid than another. Furthermore, it is unclear why some individuals have migraines and others fail to develop the condition.

Comments? mailto:trish-blair@redwoods.edu

-Caryn Lehen

As with any medical condition, it is difficult to come up with an effective treatment without knowing the exact cause. Healthcare professionals use a variety of treatment regimes for migraine sufferers.

Dr. Janet Henrich of the National Center of Excellence in Women’s Health suggests keeping a diary of when the migraine occurs, the location, time, circumstances etc. This will allow for a better diagnostic evaluation of the patient’s possible triggers.

Painkillers are often used for the treatment of migraine headaches. These can be over-the-counter or prescription. There are intranasal sprays as well as transdermal patches now for the management of migraines.

These medications interfere with the widening of the blood vessels in the head and therefore decrease the pain associated with migraines.

As nicotine is considered a "trigger" for some migraine headaches, it is wise to stop smoking.

This is where the diary comes in handy. Often one can begin to identify their "triggers" by noting what they had eaten just before the onset of the migraine.

A quiet dark room to lie down in can prevent the migraine from developing into a full-scale event. If you are one who gets the warning "aura", avoid driving. Get someone to transport you to a place where you can relax and be safe.