Migraine headaches are caused by excessive dilation of blood vessels in the head. At some point in their lives, 15-20% of men and 25-30% of women will have migraine headaches. More than half of these patients have a family history of migraines. The pain is described as throbbing or pounding and sharp. The pain is usually on one side of the head, which is different from a tension headache which usually starts at the front or back of the head and spreads over the entire head for the "vise-like" pain of a tension headache. The pain comes from outside the brain, as brain tissue does not have sensory nerves. Pain comes from the lining of the brain (meninges) and from the blood vessels and muscles of the scalp when they are stretched.

Migraines are often divided into classifications such as common, classic, and complicated. Common migraines are usually frontal, can be on one or both sides, do not usually have warning signs (aura), can last for 1-3 days, are described as draining, and occur in 80% of migraines. Classic cases are usually on one side of the head, preceded by an aura of up to 1/2 hour long, last from 2- 6 hours, cause pallor (paleness) and vomiting, and occur in 10% of cases. Complicated migraines are unpredictable, may actually be absent of pain but cause significant aura, vertigo, double vision, numbness, and irregular heartbeat, the duration is totally unpredictable, and occur 10% of the time. The causes are thought to be related to excessive constriction of a blood vessel followed by rebound dilation; however, evidence of this sequence has been inconsistent. Migraines can be described as a 3-stage process: initiation, prodrome (time until onset), and headache. Initiation can be caused by one stressor, but usually depends upon the accumulation of stressors over time. These stressors affect serotonin metabolism which, upon reaching a threshold level, causes a cascade of events that produce a headache. This is probably due to a combination of decreased tissue serotonin levels, increased sensitivity to substance P and other mediators, and the buildup of histamine and other mediators of inflammation.

Triggering factors include low serotonin levels, foods, alcohol, chemicals, caffeine withdrawal, stress, emotional swings, hormonal changes, too little or too much sleep, exhaustion, poor posture, muscle tension, and bright sunlight or eyestrain.

The next column will explore the prevention and treatment of migraines.

TAOS PHARMACY'S STAFF IS TRAINED IN THE USE OF NATURAL TREATMENTS. WE ARE THE ONLY PLACE IN TOWN THAT CAN PROVIDE BOTH MEDICAL AND NATURAL TREATMENT ADVICE. IF YOU ARE SUFFERING FROM ALLERGIES AND WOULD LIKE NATURAL CHOICES, VISIT WITH MITCH KERSHNER, NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN AT TAOS PHARMACY ON THURSDAY MORNINGS. AT TAOS PHARMACY WE BELIEVE IN OFFERING YOU CHOICES IN HEALTH CARE.

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