Migraine headaches affect millions of people on a daily basis. Females are affected twice as often as males and headaches usually begin around the onset of puberty but can vary. There does seem to be a genetic predisposition in families especially seen in females in a family. This category of headaches is typically broken down into to subcategories: Migraine headaches accompanied by an aura (Classical Migraine), and those without an aura (Common Migraines). Common migraines constitute the overall majority of migraine sufferers with about 80% of the cases whereas classical migraine sufferers make up the minority with about 20% of the cases. Most people commonly associate an aura with a migraine when discussing these headaches but it is not the norm statistically.
The aura leads up to the headache and is a nervous system reaction that typically involves the sensory system. Auras can be visual, auditory, sensory, and even motor. The most common visual aura is a visual change known as a scintillating scotoma which appears as a hazy spot in the central field of gaze followed by a patterned light that expands. The second most common aura is the pins and needles sensory feeling called paresthesia that can start in the hands or feet and radiate upward through the limbs to the face. Other common associated conditions include sensitivity to light (photophobia) and sound (phonophobia). The pain associated with the headache itself is usually graded as moderate to severe and is usually described as throbbing. The most common location for the pain is the frontal and temporal regions of the skull and in the area of the eyes but it can vary per case. The pain is typically one sided or unilateral and will build over the course of a few hours to become widespread and diffuse. The pain can last any where from 1-2 hours to more than a day depending on the severity of the episode. Nausea, vomiting, pallor, clamminess, and muscle aches can accompany the migraine as well.
The most common theories behind the cause of migraine headaches include trigger factors, vasoconstriction/vasodilatation, and autonomic nervous system overreactions. Scientists have identified a number of these triggering mechanisms. These include physical activity, stress, tension, poor posture, hormonal changes related to menstruation, puberty, and menopause, changes in blood sugar, allergies, and certain foods. The most commonly identified foods include coffee, tea, alcohol, caffeine, MSG, niacin, processed foods, histamine, and tyramine rich foods like chocolate, cheese, and red wine. The first step for anyone suffering from migraine headaches is to keep a "headache diary" in order to identify triggers or patterns. In the diary you should note diet, hormonal cycles, activities, interactions, medications, and any other environmental factors as well as timing, duration, and severity of headaches. This will allow patients to identify possible triggers in order to avoid them in the future. Stress management is another important factor in the treatment of migraines which can include meditation, relaxing, or even taking a break from stressful activities.
Chiropractic care offers patients relief from recurrent migraine episodes using a wide variety of proven treatments. Soft tissue myotherapy in the areas of the upper back, neck, and head help to reduce muscle tension. Gentle spinal manipulation has been proven to reduce muscle tension and improve migraines by reducing the frequency and severity of the episodes. Nutritional supplementation is helpful with omega-3 fish oils, calcium, vitamins D, B2, and B6, magnesium, riboflavinoids, and 5-hydroxy-tryptophan. Hot pack therapy has been shown to help during an episode and acupuncture to help prevent migraines from occurring. Patients experiencing severe, frequently occurring migraine headaches should consult a medical professional and those taking any medication should consult with their physician before attempting any nutritional supplementation. Migraines can run your life if they are left undiagnosed or untreated. There are a number of alternative and traditional medical treatments available to migraine sufferers so seek help today.
Aurora Chiropractors at Dolan Family Chiropractic are specialists in treating all kinds of back pain. Chiropractic Care successfully treats a wide variety of muscular and skeletal injuries including back pain, neck pain, and headaches without the use of harmful medications and surgeries. Dolan Family Chiropractic is considered to be one of the top chiropractic offices in the Aurora and Naperville areas of Illinois and is conveniently located in Aurora, IL on the corner of Eola Rd and North Aurora Rd in the Jewel Shopping Center.
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