We hope you find the information interesting and useful in the
important work you do.

                                               
        JUNE: HEADACHE AWARENESS
                                               
                    Migraines

Migraines are severe headaches that often include nausea and
sensitivity to light, sound, and smell.  Besides blinding, throbbing
head pain, other symptoms may include seeing spots or flashing lights or
a temporary loss of vision. A migraine is a medical condition that can
occur at any time of day, though it most often occurs during the morning
hours.  Although, there is no specific time limit, a migraine may last
from one or two hours to up to two days. Even though migraines in most
cases are not considered life threatening, they can be very debilitating
and interfere with daily activities. (1)

Who gets migraines? This condition affects approximately 30 million
Americans. (2) Boys experience more migraines than girls prior to
puberty. However, after age 11, girls begin to experience the majority
of migraine headaches.  The increase in the incidence of migraines in
girls over boys continues to rise until adulthood when women experience
migraine headaches 3 to 1 over men. (3)

Why do so many more women than men suffer from migraine headaches?
While it is improbable that sex hormones can completely explain the
difference, there is significant evidence that there may be a connection
between migraines and fluctuations in estrogen levels in women.  The
problem appears to be the response of the central nervous system to
normal hormonal fluctuations.  Women often experience their first
migraine headache during their teen years, most occurring with the onset
of menstruation.  The highest incidence of migraine occurs in women
around the age of 40.  Fortunately for most women, aging and menopause
often reduces the frequency of migraines. (3)

Causes of Migraines
There is no known exact cause of a migraine headache. Migraines were
once thought to be caused primarily by constriction and dilation of
blood vessels. Research has also shown that there is a genetic link to
migraines. Now, thanks to various neuroimaging techniques, researchers
at UCLA have shown that migraines may begin as a problem of brain
excitability - dramatic waves of activity that spread across the surface
of the brain - called cortical spreading depression (CSD). CSD may in
turn trigger not only the pain of migraine but the visual symptoms,
nausea, dizziness and difficulty concentrating so common in migraine
patients. Researchers suggest that women may have a faster trigger than
men for activating the waves of brain activity thought to underlie
migraines.  If the theory is correct, this triggering mechanism may be a
new target for migraine treatment. (4)

Triggers
Every person who has migraines has individual triggers which consist of
a variety of factors and events that may or may not lead to a migraine.
These triggers include: lack of or too much sleep, skipped meals, bright
lights, loud noises, strong odors, stress and anxiety or relaxation
after stress, weather changes, alcohol (often red wine), caffeine,
hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, foods that contain nitrates
(such as lunch meats and hot dogs), MSG (a flavor enhancer found in fast
foods, broths, seasonings, and spices), tryamine (such as cheese soy
products, hard sausages, smoked fish, fava beans and Chianti wine), and
aspartame (NutraSweet® and Equal®). (1)

Migraine Management
Migraines have no cure but can be managed with medications and
lifestyle changes.  The most important preventive measure is to take
time for yourself and find healthy ways to deal with stress. In
addition:
●  eat healthy foods and do not skip meals
●  be active (at least 30 minutes most days of the week is best)
●  limit alcohol and caffeine intake
●  do relaxation exercises
●  get enough sleep

If you think you get migraine headaches, talk with your doctor.
Together, you will find ways to avoid triggers and treat symptoms when
they happen as well as ways to help make your migraine less frequent and
severe.

                                               
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Resources

(1)  womenshealth.gov: http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/migraine.cfm#a

(2)    National Headache Foundation:
http://www.headaches.org/education/Headache_Topic_Sheets/Migraine

(3)    National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS),
NIH, HHS.
  http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/migraine/migraine.htm.

(4)    University of California - Los Angeles (2007, August 8).
          Why Women Get More Migraines Than
Men.http://www.sciencedaily.com