Migraines aren’t always isolated incident of headaches. They are usually accompanied by warning signs that are known as aura, which are blind spots and flashes of lights that a person experiences. This could be followed by tingling sensations in the arms and legs.
Patients experience migraine auras right before the onset of the actual migraine so they can also be thought of as signs that warn patients that it’s time to take their medication. While we know to some extent what migraines are, there is still some speculation about migraine causes.
Migraine headaches causes need to be diagnosed properly so that you can get appropriate treatment for yourself. It’s not easy to stand the constant hammerings that your brain is subject to day in and day out. It is only with the analyses of the symptoms associated with migraines that a doctor can reach a conclusion on what kind of treatment is best for you.
Broadly speaking, there are three types of migraines – common migraines, Status Migrainosus (the type of headache that doesn’t go away by itself), and classic migraines, which are the severest among all migraines.
Serotonin and Its Role in Migraines
Research has been able to show that a chemical by the name of serotonin is responsible for migraine headaches. There is a direct relation between the condition of blood vessels and the level of serotonin in the human body. If there is an increase in serotonin levels, there may a contraction and reduction of the blood vessels. On the other hand, inadequate levels of serotonin can cause the blood vessels to swell up.
Food & Lifestyle as Causes of Migraines
In spite of all the research being conducted on what causes migraines, it is still difficult to point towards an exact reason. There is some connection between food items and the occurrence of migraine headaches. For instance, foods like alcohol, chocolate, cheese, MSG, and nuts can aggravate the condition. Therefore patients are often advised to bring down the consumption of these items.
Lifestyle that people lead can also be a contributing factor for causing migraines. People who are figure conscious tend to skip meals and starve themselves to lose weight. Doing so is simply inviting trouble and severe cases of migraines. Smoking is also known to cause migraines. If you’ve already been diagnosed with this condition, you need to give up or at least cut down on smoking as it can interfere with the ongoing treatment for migraines.
Finally, it is also believed that certain abnormal genes can also be responsible for migraines. These genes control the functioning of certain cells in the brain and in some cases can lead to severe migraine headaches.
Migraine Causes in Women
Here are some of the reasons that may cause migraines among women.
- Loud noises and bright lights
- Consumption of alcohol, nicotine, and chocolates
- Use of contraceptive pills
- Sudden changes in weather
- Anxiety and stress
- Lack of food or sleep
- Hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle
In order to help the doctor diagnose the problem correctly and suggest a proper course of treatment, you should note down how frequently you have migraines. This will go a long way in helping the doctor understand the causes and intensity of the condition and prescribe medication and relaxation technique accordingly.
