Migraine
Natural Standard Bottom Line Monograph, Copyright © 2009 (www.naturalstandard.com). Commercial distribution prohibited. This monograph is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. You should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.
|
|
|
If you have a Natural Standard subscription, login to view the full monograph below:
Related Terms:
|
Abortive, anticonvulsant, antiviral, arrhythmia, arteriovenous malformations, artery, aura, basilar, artery, beta-blocker, caffeine, calcium channel blocker, carotid, carotidynia, cerebrovascular, cluster headache, computer tomography, constriction, cranial, CT, dilation, EEG, electroencephalography, epidural hematoma, ergot, estrogen, headache, heredity, herpes simplex encephalitis, hormone, intracerebral, magnetic resonance imaging, menopause, MRI, neuropeptides, nociceptors, norepinephrine, ophthalmoplegic migraine, opiate, pallor, parasthesia, photophobia, PMS, postdrone, premenstrual syndrome, preventative, primary headache, prodrome, progesterone, prophylactic, ptosis, rebound headache, scintillating scotomas, secondary headache, serotonin, stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhages, subdural hematoma, tension headache, TIA, transient ischemic attack, trauma, tricyclic antidepressant, triptan, vertigo. |
 | |
|
|
A migraine is not just headache pain. Migraine is thought to be a genetic neurological disease characterized by flare-ups often called "migraine attacks" or "migraine episodes." A headache can be one symptom of a migraine attack. Some individuals with migraine disease often have migraine attacks without having a headache. |
|
|
Migraine attacks, or episodes, occur in phases or parts. A typical migraine attack consists of four phases. Not every individual experiencing a migraine has all four phases. The four phases of a migraine attack are prodrome, aura, headache, and postdrome (see Signs and Symptoms). |
|
|
Individuals suffering from migraines tend to have recurring attacks triggered by a lack of food or sleep, certain food allergies, exposure to light, or hormonal changes in women, including puberty, menopause, and premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Anxiety, stress, or relaxation after stress can also be triggers. Exposure to a trigger does not always lead to a headache. Conversely, avoidance of triggers cannot completely prevent headaches. Different migraine sufferers respond to different triggers, and any one trigger will not induce a headache in every person who has migraine headaches. |
|
|
Attacks tend to become less severe as the migraine sufferer ages. The uncertainty of when attacks may occur leads to additional patient anxiety. Symptoms, incidence, and severity of migraine headaches vary by individual. |
|
|
Content available for subscribers only.
|
| |
|
|
Content available for subscribers only.
|
|
|
Content available for subscribers only.
|
|
|
Content available for subscribers only.
|
|
|
Content available for subscribers only.
|
|
|
Content available for subscribers only.
|
|
|
Content available for subscribers only.
|
|
|
Content available for subscribers only.
|
|
|
Content available for subscribers only.
|
|
|
Content available for subscribers only.
|
 |
Natural Standard Monograph
(www.naturalstandard.com)
Copyright © 2009 Natural Standard Inc. Commercial distribution or
reproduction prohibited.
|
|
The information in this monograph is intended for informational purposes
only, and is meant to help users better understand health concerns.
Information is based on review of scientific research data, historical
practice patterns, and clinical experience. This information should not be
interpreted as specific medical advice. Users should consult with a
qualified healthcare provider for specific questions regarding therapies,
diagnosis and/or health conditions, prior to making therapeutic decisions.
|
|