What is a Migraine?

Migraine is a common disorder that affects 12 to 15 percent of the general population. It is more frequent in females than in males, with attacks occurring yearly in up to 17 % of females and 6% of males. Migraine is most common in those aged 30 to 39, a period in which prevalence in males and females reaches 7 and 24 percent, respectively. A migraine is a primary headache disorder that can cause severe pain and other symptoms. People with migraine may experience recurring symptoms that doctors call episodes or attacks. Headaches are only one symptom of migraines and can range in severity. Migraine can cause intense, throbbing headaches that last anywhere from a few hours to several days. A migraine headache usually affects one side of the head, but some people experience pain on both sides.

Migraine is an episodic disorder, the centerpiece of which is a severe headache generally associated with nausea and/or light and sound sensitivity. It is one of the most common complaints encountered by neurologists in day-to-day practice.

A typical migraine attack progresses through four phases: the prodrome, the aura, the headache, and the postdrome.

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Pathophysiology

The current state of knowledge suggests that a primary neuronal dysfunction leads to a sequence of changes intracranially and extracranially that account for migraine, including the four phases of premonitory symptoms, aura, headache, and postdrome.

The once-popular vascular theory suggested that the dilatation of blood vessels causes a migraine headache. In contrast, the aura of migraine resulting from vasoconstriction is no longer viable. Vasodilatation, if it occurs during spontaneous migraine attacks, is probably an epiphenomenon resulting from instability in the central neurovascular control mechanism.

Risk factors:

  • Being female
  • Having a family history of migraines
  • Mood disorders, such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorders
  • Sleep disorders

Triggers:

  • Stress
  • Depression or anxiety
  • Hormonal changes
  • Lack of sleep
  • Hunger
  • Alcohol consumption