It May Be the Weather
A recent study in Ohio and Missouri discovered that strangely enough the risk of migraine significantly jumps when there was lightning striking nearby. Medical researchers have established that weather changes can cause imbalances in brain chemicals such as serotonin and cause or worsen migraines. As much as 50% of migraines are thought to be triggered by such weather changes.
Migraines Are Linked to Depression
Science has not yet pinpointed exactly why migraines and depression are related but they have found that those who suffer from this condition are at an increased risk for suicide attempts. Regardless of your mood, antidepressants will alter the level of chemicals in your brain and reduce the risk for migraines.
Migraines Are Undertreated
Nearly half of those who suffer from migraines are never medically diagnosed and the majority does not seek medical care to treat the pain. One reason for this could be that there is no real cure for this condition.
More Women Suffer
Current research indicates that women are disproportionately affected by this condition and about three times as many adult women suffer than men. Science has indicated that the strong estrogen hormone influence causes both risk and severity to increase in women. Fluctuation in the hormone levels, which naturally occurs throughout each month, will cause more frequent attacks so many women find relief after hitting menopause.
Migraines May Not Include Headache
There is what is called a silent migraine in which the sufferer experiences all the phases of a migraine without the actual headache. You may, for example, experience the aura, vertigo, amnesia, nausea, and visual distortions without even feeling the headache.
Reducing Stress Levels Can Be a Trigger
If you have been stressed out, then your body has been hard at work producing stress hormones. Once the stressor is removed research shows a 20% higher risk for migraines due to the sudden, dramatic drop in hormone levels. The best way to avoid this is to prevent yourself from peaking out your stress levels if possible.
Migraines Increase Sex Drive
In 2006 studies found that migraine sufferers had about 20% higher levels of sexual desire than those who suffered from different types of headaches. The findings suggest that migraines and sexual desire are influenced by the same chemical, serotonin, in the brain. This is why antidepressants, which increase serotonin levels, can help ease migraines.
Children Suffer Too
According to current research about 10% of school-age children suffer from migraines. Often this condition will go undiagnosed in children. They have been shown to affect children as young as 18 months. Boys are more likely to suffer than girls as they approach adolescence but once estrogen comes into play, females are at a much higher risk.
Migraines Can Be Treated with Botox
Scientists have been working hard on new treatments for migraines and have recently discovered that Botox can provide relief by stimulating nerves near the brain. Gentle massaging of the spine, head, and neck area has also proved to be effective in easing the pain.