Overview

Migraine is a neurological syndrome characterized by altered bodily experiences, painful headaches, and nausea. It is a common condition which affects women more frequently than it does men.

The typical migraine headache is one-sided and pulsating, lasting 4 to 72 hours. Accompanying complaints are nausea and vomiting, and a heightened sensitivity to bright lights (photophobia) and noise (hyperacusis). Approximately one third of people who experience migraine get a preceding aura, in which a patient may sense a strange light or unpleasant smell. Patients often describe triggers they feel precipitate an episode of migraine, such as certain foods and beverages (like chocolate or alcohol), stress or menstruation. In some migraine types there are typical features but the headache remains absent, and in children abdominal pain may be a prominent feature.

Although the exact cause of migraine remains unknown, the most widespread theory is that it is a disorder of the serotonergic control system. Genetic factors may also contribute. Studies on twins show that genes have a 60 to 65% influence on the development of migraine. Fluctuating hormone levels show a relation to migraine in several ways: three quarters of adult migraine patients are female while migraine affects approximately equal numbers of boys and girls before puberty,[citation needed] and migraine is known to disappear during pregnancy in a substantial number of sufferers.

The treatment of migraine begins with simple painkillers for headache and anti-emetics for nausea, and avoidance of triggers if present. Specific anti-migraine drugs can be used to treat migraine. If the condition is severe and frequent enough, preventative drugs might be considered.

The word migraine is French in origin and comes from the Greek hemicrania, as does the Old English term megrim. Literally, hemicrania means "half (the) head".

Monday, September 14, 2009

Headaches Caused By Stress

Stress is a typical cause of headaches. If you be afflicted by migraines, you have a tendency to be easily influenced by intense events. During stressful events, certain chemicals in your cerebral cortex are released to counter a situation ( known as "flight or fight" reply ). The release of these chemicals strokes the blood carrying vessels and that causes migraine.

Stress is generally the cause of tension-type headaches too. Tension-type headaches are of two types: episodic and chronic. You get an episodic tension-type headache because of an isolated stressful situation or a build-up of stress. If you get stressed out daily, such as from a high-pressured job, it can lead to a chronic tension-type headache.

Headache causing stress is usually prompted by factors which exist in the environment or other internal reasons. The most common sources of stress include family, social relationship, mates, work and college. Specific stress triggers include :

issues at home
The birth of a child.
Getting back to school
examination stress
New job and new office surroundings
Meeting stern cut offs
Work deadlines.
Competing in sports
Poor physical appearance
trying to achieve perfection
Lack of proper sleep
Less sleep than mandatory
Over-involvement in several activities

If you do not need to deal with headaches, it is important that you keep stress in control. Here are some tips that will help you keep stress in control.

Recognize potential triggers : Keep a log of the triggers that cause you stress. They might be habits, situations or personality issues.

Manage time effectively: Schedule your tasks by allocating adequate time period for each of them. Perform a single task at a time.

Take breaks : Take time out to clear your consciousness if you believe you are besieged in a complicated situation. A short walk or a stretch break may replenish your energy.

Start exercising everyday. Exercising releases endorphins in your body and helps combat a headache.

Have proper diet : A diet loaded in fruits, plants and grains energises you and keeps stress in hand.

Go on vacation : take five from your daily schedule and head out for a vacation or a weekend getaway. Time off will help you regain your point of view and calm you down adequately.

giggle : Humor is an acceptable approach to easing stress. Laughter releases the chemical endorphin into the brain which keeps your mood positive.

There are many OTC medications available as well to treat stress induced headaches and include Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen, and Acetaminophen. Prescription medicines include Tolmetin, Ketoprofen, Diclofenac, Isometheptine, codeine and Hydrocodone.

Autor: Daniel Day

To know more about Causes of Headache and Headache Treatments visit: http://www.headacheupdates.com/migraine/


Added: September 14, 2009
Source: http://articlerich.com/Article/Headaches-Caused-By-Str~

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