Presentation by:

Leshawnda Willingham & Gloria Melchor

Presented for Dr. Ryan Bellacov, chiropractor in West Linn, OR

What is a migraine?What is a migraine? A migraine is a severe, painful headache that is A migraine is a severe, painful headache that is

often preceded or accompanied by sensory often preceded or accompanied by sensory warning signs such as flashes of light, blind warning signs such as flashes of light, blind spots, tingling in the arms and legs, nausea, or spots, tingling in the arms and legs, nausea, or vomiting. vomiting.

Migraine headaches result from a Migraine headaches result from a combination of blood vessel enlargement combination of blood vessel enlargement and the release of chemicals from nerve and the release of chemicals from nerve fibers that coil around these blood vessels. fibers that coil around these blood vessels.

Presented for Dr. Ryan Bellacov, chiropractor in West Linn, OR

Head pain can be felt in many different locations, such as one or both sides of the head, the back of the neck, the face, the eyes, or the sinuses.

These are different types of headaches that are very common among adults.

Migraines are differentMigraines are different

With a migraine, there is a throbbing pain on With a migraine, there is a throbbing pain on one side of the head (sometimes on both one side of the head (sometimes on both sides). You may feel like throwing up, and sides). You may feel like throwing up, and you may even do it! A lot of the times you you may even do it! A lot of the times you may feel like you can't stand noises or smells may feel like you can't stand noises or smells or lights. You can also experience blurred or lights. You can also experience blurred vision or see little white sparkly dots in front vision or see little white sparkly dots in front of your eyes before the pain starts. of your eyes before the pain starts.

Presented for Dr. Ryan Lambert-Bellacov, chiropractor in West Linn, OR

A migraine is caused by abnormal brain activity, which is A migraine is caused by abnormal brain activity, which is

triggered by stress, certain foods, environmental factors, triggered by stress, certain foods, environmental factors, or something else. However, the exact chain of events or something else. However, the exact chain of events remains unclear.remains unclear.

A lot of people get migraines -- about 11 out of 100. The A lot of people get migraines -- about 11 out of 100. The headaches tend to first appear between the ages of 10 headaches tend to first appear between the ages of 10 and 46. Occasionally, migraines may occur later in life in and 46. Occasionally, migraines may occur later in life in a person with no history of such headaches. Migraines a person with no history of such headaches. Migraines occur more often in women than men, and may run in occur more often in women than men, and may run in families.families.

Some people who get migraines have warning Some people who get migraines have warning symptoms, called an aura, before the actual headache symptoms, called an aura, before the actual headache begins. An aura is a group of symptoms, usually vision begins. An aura is a group of symptoms, usually vision disturbances, that serve as a warning sign that a bad disturbances, that serve as a warning sign that a bad headache is coming.headache is coming.

Triggers and Causes

Presented for Dr. Ryan Lambert-Bellacov, chiropractor in West Linn, OR

How is migraine diagnosedHow is migraine diagnosed

Physicians will look at family medical Physicians will look at family medical history and check the patient for the history and check the patient for the symptoms described symptoms described

The International Headache Society The International Headache Society recommends the "5, 4, 3, 2, 1 criteria" to recommends the "5, 4, 3, 2, 1 criteria" to diagnose migraines without aura. This diagnose migraines without aura. This stands for:stands for:

Presented for Dr. Ryan Lambert-Bellacov, chiropractor in West Linn, OR

5 or more attacks 5 or more attacks 4 hours to 3 days in 4 hours to 3 days in

duration duration At least 2 of unilateral At least 2 of unilateral

location, pulsating quality, location, pulsating quality, moderate to severe pain, moderate to severe pain, aggravation by or aggravation by or avoidance of routine avoidance of routine physical activity physical activity

At least 1 additional At least 1 additional symptom such as nausea, symptom such as nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to vomiting, sensitivity to light, sensitivity to sound. light, sensitivity to sound.

Is there a cure for migraines?Is there a cure for migraines? There is no specific cure for There is no specific cure for

migraine headaches. The goal migraine headaches. The goal is to prevent symptoms by is to prevent symptoms by avoiding or changing your avoiding or changing your triggers.triggers.

A good way to identify triggers A good way to identify triggers is to keep a headache diary. is to keep a headache diary. Write down:Write down:

When your headaches occur When your headaches occur How severe they are and what How severe they are and what

you eat.you eat. Keep in mind that a good Keep in mind that a good

balanced and healthy food diet balanced and healthy food diet lessens the possibility of the lessens the possibility of the migraine attack. migraine attack.

Keep track of your headaches

Eat healthy

Medication Medication

Nonsteroidal anti-Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory, such as inflammatory, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, aspirin or ibuprofen, excedrin, etc, are excedrin, etc, are effective against many effective against many types of migraines. But types of migraines. But avoid taking these drugs avoid taking these drugs continuously, as this can continuously, as this can result in medication result in medication overuse. For frequent overuse. For frequent migraines, talk to your migraines, talk to your doctor about prescription doctor about prescription medications that help medications that help prevent them.prevent them.