Migraine headaches represent vascular headache type. Migraines are provoked by vasodilatation which is blood vessels enlargement that evolves the production of chemicals in nerve fibers which coil around the large brain arteries. Blood vessels enlargement generally stretches the nerves coiling around them and makes nerves to release the chemicals. These chemicals lead to inflammation, pain, and then to artery enlargement. The extending arteries enlargement magnifies the pain.
Migraines usually activate the so called sympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous machinery is often considered to be the part of the nervous system which controls primitive reactions to pain and stress, also known as fight or flight reaction, and such activation evolves a lot of the signs attributed to migraine attacks; for instance, the greater activity of the sympathetic nervous system in the intestines can cause vomiting, nausea, as well as diarrhea.
- The activity of the sympathetic system delays the stomach emptying into the small intestine and thus it can prevents oral drugs from entering the intestines and in such a way from being absorbed.
- The compromised absorption of oral medicines is a common cause of the ineffectiveness of drugs administered to cure migraine headaches.
- The greater sympathetic action can also lower the blood circulation, and this process may result in skin pallor and also cold feet and hands.
- The extensive sympathetic activity adds as well to the sensitivity to sound and light and to the blurred vision too.
It is worth mentioning that about 28 million Americans are affected by migraines, with women suffering more often (about 17 per cent) and men (around 6 per cent). Missed work and decreased productivity caused by migraines actually creates a real public burden. However migraines are still highly underdiagnosed disorder which is besides is often undertreated. It is interesting that less than half of the patients who suffer from migraine are diagnosed by the doctors.
Prevention
In fact there are 2 methods to protect yourself from migraine headaches. First of all it is necessary to avoid triggers that evolve headaches. And secondly you can prevent migraines with some medicines (these are so called prophylactic medicines). Neither of the two preventive methods is 100 per cent effective. They can only help to decrease the frequency of migraines occurence.