Migraine and headache

What is a migraine headache?

Although the term "migraine" is often used to describe any severe headache, a migraine headache is the result of specific physiologic changes that occur within the brain, and lead to the characteristic pain and associated symptoms of a migraine.

Migraines are usually associated with sensitivity to sound, light, and smells. A migraine attack may be accompanied by nausea or vomiting. This type of headache often involves only one side of the head, but in some cases, patients may have pain on both sides. The pain is often described as throbbing or pounding and it may be made worse with physical exertion. Migraines can last from 4 hours to 3 days, and sometimes longer.

Not all headaches represent migraines, and migraine is not the only condition that can cause severe and debilitating headaches. For example, cluster headaches are very severe headaches that affect one side of the head in a recurrent manner (occurring in a "cluster" over time). The pain is sometimes described as "drilling," and can be worse than migraine pain in some cases. Cluster headaches are less common than migraine.

Tension headaches are a more common cause of headache. These occur due to contraction of the muscles of the scalp, face, and neck.

Symptoms

Other common symptoms of migraine are:

  • Eye pain

  • A brief period of depression

  • Irritability

  • Anxiety

  • Moodiness

  • Decreased appetite

  • Constipation

  • Food cravings

  • Stiff neck

Causes

The specific cause of migraines is not known, but there may be fluctuations in certain neurotransmitters, chemicals that send messages between brain cells. These changes may predispose some people to develop migraine headaches.

Common triggers

  • Stress

  • Menstrual periods

  • Changes in your normal sleep pattern

  • Extreme fatigue

  • Certain foods and drinks

  • Too much caffeine or withdrawal from it

  • Skipping meals or fasting

  • Changes in the weather

  • Smoking

  • Bright, flickering lights

  • Certain smells

How can treatment help?

Research shows that spinal manipulation, also known as adjustments - one of the primary treatments provided by chiropractors – may be an effective treatment option for tension headaches and headaches that originate in the neck. Chiropractic care has shown to significantly improve migraine frequency, duration, disability and medication use.

Chiropractic treatment for migraines is unique because it incorporates multiple methods to treat the source of migraine headaches rather than just trying to dull the effects once a migraine has already started.