sick headache/Chronic Migraine is a severe headache/pain in one side of the head. A pulsing sensation has occurred in it. Some people feel warning symptoms like an aura. In aura, visual disturbances due to flashes of light, tingling on one side of the face, legs, or arms, and difficulty speaking.
Lifestyle modification and medicines can both help in lowering the symptoms of migraine. Migraine attack occurs between sir hours and two days after the trigger happens.
Causes of migraine
Migraine is caused by genetics, environmental factors, and lifestyle, but it’s not fully understood. It might be due to a variance in chemical hormones in the brain (serotonin disturbance. Serotonin helps relieve pain in the brain).
Migraine triggers
Several migraines triggers are here;
1. Genetics
Family history of migraine parents can also lead to migraine in the child. Heredity factors run in families. If both of your parents have migraine issues, then 75% chance of getting migraine in their children. Suppose one parent suffers from migraine, then there is a 50% chance of migraine in their child.
2. Hormonal changes
Hormonal changes in women, like elevation in estrogen levels during or before the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause, can trigger migraine. Hormonal medications can also worsen migraine, such as oral contraceptives. But in some women, these medications can be effective. A migraine attack occurs in teens often when periods start.
3. Beverages
Alcoholic and caffeinated beverages can cause migraine. Getting too much caffeine and cutting off from caffeine both lead to a migraine attack. Caffeine is present in tea, cola, coffee, dark chocolates, and other painkillers.
4. Stress
Any stress can cause migraine—the stress of work or home. Going on a long journey may cause a disturbance which leads to migraine in some people. Shocks, anxiety, excitement, and tension can all cause migraine.
5. Sensory disturbance
Bright flashes of light, loud sounds, strong smells, such as paints, thinner, secondhand smoke, and many more__ can trigger migraine. Car headlights, artificial lights, and brilliant LED/LCD lights can cause migraine. Using hands-free/headphones with a loud voice can lead to migraine.
6. Sleep
Not getting enough sleep or getting too much sleep can trigger migraine in many peoples. Sleepless nights and late-night sleeping disturb brain function and cause migraine. Get more sleep than usual.
7. Weather changes
Weather changes or barometric pressure can cause migraine in some people. High humidity in high altitudes can trigger migraine.
8. Physical factors
Physical factors like intensive exertion, including sexual activity, might cause migraine.
9. Medications
Many medications cause migraines, like oral contraceptives and vasodilators.
- Some drugs that contain cocaine cause migraine.
10. Foods and food additives
Salty, processed foods, and aged cheese can trigger migraine. Migraine is also commonly caused due to skipping meals.
Added sweeteners and food preservatives found in foods can cause migraine (sweetener Aspartame or Tyramine and preservative Monosodium Glutamate or Nitrates). Chocolate, caffeine, and alcohol can trigger migraine.
11. Using computer/mobile phone
Sitting ahead of a computer or using a mobile continuously without taking a break leads to migraine. And if you are in an uncomfortable position, it can cause muscle tension, which leads to migraine.
12. Dehydration
If you are not drinking enough water, it can cause migraine due to dehydration. Drink more water, at least eight glasses per day.
13. Head injuries
some head injuries can also cause migraine and headaches.
14. Coughing
Continuous coughing can also lead to migraine or headaches.
Causes of chronic migraine
Doctors and researchers do not entirely understand migraines. But possible causes are identified. The causes of chronic migraine are following;
1. CNS disorder
Underlying neurological conditions that may trigger migraine.
2. Imbalance in brain chemicals
Offensive production of chemicals in the brain leads to poor functions of the brain and hide nerve pathways, which can cause chronic migraine. Headaches occur due to interruption.
3. Genetic factors
As mentioned above, genes matter. If parents have issues with migraine, then children automatically suffer.
4. Vascular irregularities
Problems in blood flow due to vessels may cause chronic migraine. Some underlying severe conditions of chronic migraine are;
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Inflammation in blood vessels
- Other issues in the brain like a stroke
- Brain tumors
- Intracranial pressure
5. Possible triggers
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Bad sitting posture
- Certain foods and drinks
- Use and abuse of caffeine
- Hormonal issues
- Medications
- Disturbed sleep cycle
References:
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/migraine-headache/symptoms-causes/syc-20360201#:~:text=A%20migraine%20is%20a%20headache,sensitivity%20to%20light%20and%20sound.
- https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwiV5-yPhO72AhXZw9UKHVXjBFkYABAAGgJ3cw&ae=2&ohost=www.google.com&cid=CAESauD2zVXoOLCkOB4tO9VxM6dV87AweTObQVkGa41R9fP8Qs7lCvbDlzui2mr1OvVy4Jr1sqeQUOuASf-PJoaahStWpQ9ywuLeOPIICy8OwXeZ8U7OZaDIJ921tOS0gizy99enJMJhceWBUAQ&sig=AOD64_0L4M9yXZmdT38W9ar2W8onofpjTw&q&adurl&ved=2ahUKEwid0uSPhO72AhWX3oUKHSVyDjoQ0Qx6BAgCEAE
- https://familydoctor.org/condition/migraines/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/migraine/chronic
