Migraine is a severe headache that causes throbbing or pulsing pain. What causes the pain is unclear, but it involves the trigeminal nerve, which innervates the meninges, scalp, and specific areas of the face. Migraine affects women more than men, with an estimated prevalence in females at 8-23% primarily. Migraine is a common type of headache. It is not known precisely what causes it, but some things are believed to trigger migraine attacks.
A migraine attack can cause severe pain, nausea, or sensitivity to light or sound, lasting four hours to three days. Some people have warning signs before an attack, such as a change in mood or feeling tired. In some cases, other people can tell that a person will have an attack because they look pale and notice that the sufferer has been vomiting. If you have multiple episodes of migraines, you should consider seeing a migraine specialist in Alexandria. In this article, we look at the different causes of migraines. Read on to learn more.
Hormonal Imbalance
What causes migraine is still not known precisely, but some things are believed to trigger migraine attacks. A migraine attack can cause severe pain, nausea, or sensitivity to light or sound, lasting four hours to three days. Some people have warning signs before an attack, such as a change in mood or feeling tired. In some cases, other people can tell that a person will have an attack because they look pale and notice that the sufferer has been vomiting. In this article, we look at the different causes of migraines.
Hypothyroidism
An underactive thyroid gland causes hypothyroidism. The thyroid gland is part of the endocrine system, which controls your metabolism and how your body uses energy. Hypothyroidism is a common condition where the thyroid gland doesn’t make enough of certain crucial hormones. Less common but more serious is Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune disorder that causes your immune system to attack the thyroid tissue.
Brain tumor
A brain tumor can cause headaches or migraines if it presses on any part of the brain. A tumor that presses on a nerve or is made up of certain cells can cause a migraine. The headaches caused by a brain tumor tend to be persistent and don’t ease off when using medication for headaches, like paracetamol or ibuprofen. A CT scan with contrast dye may show the presence of a brain tumor.
Magnesium Deficiency
Magnesium is a mineral that you need for more than 300 chemical reactions in the body. One of these reactions produces serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter that regulates mood and muscle contraction. When your magnesium levels are low, it can cause changes to your nerve and muscle function. These changes can sometimes trigger headaches or migraines.
Stress
Stress can cause a series of chemical reactions in the body, which result in an attack. Adrenaline and cortisol levels rise, and blood pressure and heart rate increase as part of the fight or flight response. This causes arteries to narrow and can make headaches or migraines worse.
In summary, migraines have become increasingly common, and they primarily affect women. Some of the most common causes of migraines include stress and brain tumor. However, you can also have a migraine due to magnesium deficiency and hypothyroidism.
