Neural Conditions: Migraines

Written by: Caroline Kim

July 13, 2024

In this week’s study of neural conditions, we dive into the topic of a neurovascular disorder: migraines. All of us have experienced various versions of a headache throughout our lives, but migraines may be a more serious matter. Mayo clinic describes migraines as a “headache that can cause severe throbbing pain… usually on one side of the head… often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound” (Mayo Clinic. “Migraine.”). In more severe cases, these migraines can last several days. 

The progression of a migraine can be broken down into 4 stages, prodrome, aura, attack, and post-drome, though not all are experienced by everyone. The prodrome takes place a few days prior to the migraine with symptoms including constipation, moodiness, neck stiffness, and more. The aura consists of visual disturbances, tingling sensations, and difficulty speaking, which indicate an oncoming migraine or may occur throughout a migraine (Mayo Clinic. “Migraine.”). Next in this sequence, the actual migraine attack consists of throbbing pain on one or both sides of the head, nausea, vomiting, and light/sound sensitivity. The post drome is subsequent to a migraine and can include confusion and feeling fatigued (Mayo Clinic. “Migraine.”). The pain from these migraines is said to be caused by “the activation of nerve fibers within the wall of brain blood vessels traveling inside the meninges (three layers of membranes protecting the brain and spinal cord) (ninds.nih.gov. “Migraine.”). An individual’s risk for a migraine may increase with weather changes, stress, motion sickness, head trauma, medications, anxiety, depression, obesity, tobacco, and more (ninds.nih.gov. “Migraine.”). According to the NIH, women are 3 times more likely to experience migraines; additionally, migraines are genetic, therefore running in the family (ninds.nih.gov. “Migraine.”). 

Migraine treatments may vary; home remedies involve naps, fluids, and ice packs may help to alleviate some of the migraine symptoms (ninds.nih.gov. “Migraine.”). In more severe cases, drugs for acute treatment are used such as ibuprofen such as advil, triptan drugs that increase serotonin in the brain, ergot derivative drugs that bind to serotonin receptors on brain cells, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ninds.nih.gov. “Migraine.”). In today’s research, Hopkins medicine suggests that “ chemical compounds and hormones, such as serotonin and estrogen, often play a role in pain sensitivity for migraine sufferers” while fluctuations in blood flow to the brain may be contributors (hopkinsmedicine.org. “How a Migraine Happens.”). For more on the brain chemistry of migraines, see under “Read Recommendations” on the home page!

Sources:

1. Mayo Clinic. “Migraine.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 7 July 2023, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/migraine-headache/symptoms-causes/syc-20360201. Accessed 13 July 2024. 

2. ninds.nih.gov. “Migraine.” National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/migraine. Accessed 13 July 2024. 

3. hopkinsmedicine.org. “How a Migraine Happens.” Johns Hopkins Medicine, 26 Nov. 2019, www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/headache/how-a-migraine-happens#:~:text=Serotonin%20is%20a%20chemical%20necessary,estrogen%20levels%20affect%20women%20only. Accessed 13 July 2024.