Migraine Headaches

Megan AngevineMarch 6th, 2013

3rd Period

Scientific Name-

The scientific name for migraine headaches is simply: Migraine. It means recurring head pain that occurs with many symptoms. It is taken from the latin word "hemicrania" which means unilateral head pain.

Causes of Migraines-Migraines are caused by a combination of blood

vessel enlargement and the release of chemicals from nerve fibers that coil around blood vessels. The headache part comes from an enlarged artery just under the temple. The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) responds to this with nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. Triggers-

o allergieso bright lightso certain smellso stresso dehydration

o smoking/exposure to smokeo skipping mealso irregular sleep patternso alcoholo certain food

Migraines aren't transmittable but studies show they might be genetic.

Target Population-Migraines affect about 15% of the

world, and 29.5 million Americans. Women are way more at risk for migraines than men. About 3 out of 4 people that get migraines are women. Most women affected by migraines are in between the ages of 20 and 45.

1 out of every 10 Americans suffer from migraines, and 1 out of every 6 women.

Central Nervous System-

Migraines are a CNS, or Central Nervous System, disorder. They are caused bynerves branching off of the

brainstem. The nerves get stimulated and lead to the dilation of blood vessels.

Migraine Symptoms-Before Headache:

• temporary blind spot

• blurry vision

• eye pain

• tunnel vision

During Headache:

• throbbing/pounding head

• worse on one side

• gets worse as time goes on

• lasts for days

• chills

• increased urination

• fatigue

• loss of appetite

• nausea and vomiting

• fainting

• numbness, tingling or weakness

• problems concentrating

• trouble speaking

• light sensitivity

• sweating

After Headache:

• neck pain

• fatigue/need for sleep

• mentally dull/inability to concentrate

Prognosis-For many people, migraines go

away with age and can even disappear completely over time. However the prognosis for migraines isn't studied very much because it greatly differs in people. For some, migraines get chronically worse, for some they remain the same throughout their lives and they must seek treatment, and for others the migraines disappear as they mature.

Cure/Treatments-Some migraines are cured on their own. While there isn't any

100% effective way to cure migraines, there are many remedies and treatments that people use to lessen their migraines.

Over-The-Counter Drugs

•Ibuprofen

•Aspirin

•AcetaminophenPrescription Drugs

•Triptan

•Inderal

•BlocadrenHome Remedies:

•A low-fat diet

•Vitamin B supplements

•Acupuncture

•Less painkillers

Famous Cases-

Migraines have affected people since the beginning of time, and still affect many people today.

In History: •Julius Caesar•Napoleon Bonaparte•Thomas Jefferson•Sigmund Freud•Claude Monet•Vincent Van Gogh•Elvis Presley

Today: •Janet Jackson•Serena Williams•Lisa Kudrow•Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Citations-

Clinic, M. (2011, June 04). Migraines. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/migraine-headache/DS00120/DSECTION=causes

Goadbsy, P. (2008, May 01). Migraine fact sheet. Retrieved from http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/migraine.cfm

What is migraine? what causes migraines?. (2009, April 30). Retrieved from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/148373.php