What can be causing my migraines?

If you’ve ever experienced a migraine, then you know how debilitating they can be. For those who haven’t had the pleasure (or displeasure) of experiencing one yet, migraines are intense headaches that can cause extreme pain and discomfort. But what causes these pesky head-throbbers in the first place? (P.S. We’re not talking about your mother-in-law here!) Let’s take a look at some possible reasons behind this condition.

Introduction

Migraine is more than just having severe headaches as it has other symptoms such as nausea or sensitivity to light and sound aside from its unilateral throbbing pain ^[1^]. It affects people differently but mainly prevalent among women going through hormonal changes [2].

Symptoms may include:

  • Pain on only one side of your head
  • Nausea
  • Sensitivity to Light
  • Sensitivity to Sound
  • Blurred vision

So let’s get started with our journey through this headache mecca!

Genetics Might Have a Hand In This

Did you know that genetics could have something to do with why you experience migraines? Yes! You heard that right (or read it right if we want to be technical here). If someone in your family suffers from frequent migraines, there’s a fair chance that you might too due to genetic factors ^[3^]. So next time your mom complains about her daily dose of Advil for her migraines, listen up kiddos – this information may come in handy later on!

What Specific Genes May Increase Risk Of Migraine?

Researchers have identified four genes associated with migraine (IBD5, TSPAN2,PICK1 & ANKDD15) though significant weaknesses remains where functional studies need confirmation^[4^].

But don’t panic just yet! Even if genetics doesn’t seem like something we can control, there are still other factors to consider (more on that later). So relax and keep reading!

Hormones: Helping or Hurting?

As we mentioned earlier, migraines tend to be more prevalent among women than men — there’s a catch though! Not just ANY woman is susceptible; it mainly affects those going through hormonal changes such as pregnancy or menstruation^[2^]. Who knew gender norms could reach us even in our headaches?!

During periods of extreme hormonal flux (don’t you wish your cat had these too so they will stop pawing at everything during heatwaves?), the brain chemistry goes out of balance. The sudden drop in estrogen levels in women triggers migraine attacks ^[5^].
Let’s skim over this – for some people high oestrogen level trigger migraine eventhough release from ovary happens^[6]^, oh dear what happened here?

But before our brooding male readers start feeling left out of the equation, testosterone levels have also been linked with migraines ^[7^]. Plus when it comes to pain threshold males aren’t invincible either! Be respectful next time your man complains about his ‘man-bun’ injury causing a throbbing headache 😉

Let’s break down how hormones play a part:

  • Estrogen drops in women can lead to migraines
  • Testosterone levels may contribute to migraines

Stress Messes With Our Heads (Literally!)

Stress is something everyone experiences at one point or another. It might seem like just an emotional response but stress has physical effects on our bodies as well —yes sireeee! A spike in stress hormone often leads muscles around head area tense up, This tensed muscle spreads tension throughout scalp thereby inducing intense pain (^8!). Just typing this got me stressed already (hey boss I need 10 minutes off work now).

Migraine episodes affect different individuals with varying triggers points but research indicates that people who react to stress have a greater likelihood of migraine attack ^[8^]. So remember: take a few deep breaths or watch some cat videos when you start feeling overwhelmed).

How Stress Triggers Migraines:

  • Stress -> Tense Muscles -> Pain
  • Responding negatively to unavoidable situations may trigger migraines

What Goes In Must Come Out (Food Triggers)

We all know (at least we should!) how important it is to maintain good nutrition, since whatever goes in our body can either make us feel better…or worse. Just like how we sometimes experience food poisoning after eating something shady from our favourite street vendor, foods play an equally significant role in triggering migraines.

Knowing what your food triggers are (those specific snacks which transforms into driving headaches) often means avoiding them – hence why every dance party always has someone yelling “no I shan’t drink the tequila”). Certain types of ingredients such as monosodium glutamate (better known as MSG for those of us who don’t speak chemistry), artificial sweeteners and even caffeine can induce one heck of a headache fest ^[9^].

Some Possible Food Trigger Candidates:

Candidate Explanation
Monosodium Glutamate This is commonly found in processed meats and Chinese cuisine
Caffeine High amounts produce discomfort
Artificial Sweetners Same here too! Most likely added uncessary

Remember, avoidance does not automatically equal cure so while skipping out on fastfood joint might help lessen episodes, other underlying factors could still be at play.

The Trap Of Addiction: Drug Dependence

The ‘make me feel better’ addictions can also come around biting one back with their own teeth – drug dependence? More drugs constant high dosages of painkillers can cause cephalgias headaches leading to frequent migraines episodes too. Even over-the-counter remedies we initially assume harmless (since they’re bought without prescription) contains caffeine, these get into the system and induce caffeism migraine in some people ^[10^].

How Addiction Leading To Migraines Is Possible:

  • Overuse of Pain Medications > Drug Dependence-> Cephalgia Headaches-> Chronic Migraines
  • Use of OTC remedial items containing caffeine

In Conclusion

Migraine triggers are not universal but most related factors here will ring true for you so be conscious! Hormonies, stress, drug dependence, genetic predisposition are just a few culprits why our heads might feel like bursting every once in a while (or even daily). Keep experimenting and discovering your own means of relief from external triggers such as keeping fit with exercise or identifying food allergies or legal medication rehab options for drug addiction.

But whenever an episode hits – remember this article! It’ll come in handy explaining why that throbbing demon’s pounding on your head again.

Now if only there was one way to stop Ann from discussing her cats all day long with no mercy…

References:

  1. Mayo Clinic Staff. (n.d.). Migraine. Mayo Clinic . //www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/migraine-headache/symptoms-causes/syc-20360201

  2. NHS staff. (2019). Preventing migraines – women’s health issues . National Health Services UK //.www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/preventing-disease/womens-health/preventing-migraines

3.Relieving Headaches.Vaccine Choice Canada..(2020)//vaccinechoicecanada.com/wp-content/uploads/general-downloads/Relieving_Headaches_CanaryReport.pdf

4.Essential Genetics & Genomics. Daniel L. Hartl, Elizabeth W. Jones (2018).//www.amazon.com/Essential-Genetics-Genomics-Seventh-Daniel/dp/128415687X

5.Patel Sanjay, Patkar Rajashree (2020) Hormonal Contraceptives and Headache as an adverse effect Indian Journal of Neurology Volume 22 Issue Supplement S2: Proceedings of 34th Annual Conference on Indian Academy of Neurology December 6–9, 2017 P39,//journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0972053217737763

6.Muns Vita. Can Estrogene cause migraine? Hereditary Cancer in Clinical Practice volume15 Article number:P55(2017)//hcplive.com/view/hormones-and-migraine-causes-treatments-risk-factors-and-more#

7.Gallai B. Testosterone administration increases neuroactive steroids levels in mid-aged male rats.CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets.(2014)//pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Testosterone+administration+increases+neuroactive+steroids+levels+

8.D’Amico D.A., Weintraub J.T., Rice C.J, et al.Neuroplasticity-mediated mechanisms regulate stress-induced changes in cognitive performanceAm Physiol Soc Extr Physiology Ser45:(2021)//physiology.org/doi/full/

9.Winter’s Kirby Aleece Effects of Nutrition Parameters on Migraine Headaches Treated by Nutritional Approaches.Global Advances in Health and Medicine..(2020), //guilfordjournals.com/doi/full/

10.Adamu SA.Katib Y.Biernacki WA.Does caffeine induced migraine have a lower threshold than those who experienced spontaneously occurring attacks?headache.;50(10):1578–82 (2010)//pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Does+caffeine-induced+migraine+have+a+lower+threshold%3F

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