Migraines Affect Mostly Women
Headaches affect roughly 45 million people in the United States. Of those people, migraine headaches are the most common type of headache that sends patients to their doctor's office. Migraines occur when constricting blood vessels in the brain cause intense, recurring vascular headaches. Like other forms of headaches, women suffer from migraines more often than men.
Approximately three out of four migraine sufferers are women and researchers often believe hormones to be a possible explanation. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, more than half of migraines in women transpire right before, during or after a woman has her menstrual period. Despite the fact that some women experience migraines throughout their entire cycle, menstrual-related migraines may explain one possible trigger of the condition.
Right before a woman's cycle begins, her estrogen and progesterone levels of drop sharply. This decrease in hormone levels may initiate migraine headaches because estrogen has been shown to control brain chemicals that affect pain sensation in women.
Although hormones are unlikely to explain the entire picture, a recent study suggests that women with a history of migraines may be less likely to develop breast cancer than other women. Since breast cancer has been linked to higher lifetime exposure to estrogen, the fact that migraines are more common when there is a drop in estrogen may support the hormone theory.
The symptoms, duration and frequency of migraines can vary greatly among individuals. They are potentially debilitating for some people. Often times, migraines can come along with sensory warning signs such as seeing flashes of light, blind spots or feeling nauseous (with or without vomiting). Other symptoms include:
-- Intense, throbbing pain on one, or sometimes, both sides of the head.
-- Feeling "pins and needles" in a limb.
-- Sensitivity to light or loud sounds.
-- Pain that worsens with physical activity and/or interferes with daily functioning.
In some people, the pain lasts for a short period of time; for other patients, lingering symptoms can last up to three days. In addition, some individuals get migraines on a regular basis, yet others may experience them much less frequently. Currently, there is no quick fix for migraine headaches, but the symptoms can be managed effectively. With medical supervision, pharmaceuticals and lifestyle changes can offer relief.
Along with pharmaceutical treatments, migraine sufferers should consider the value of lifestyle changes. Many experts recommend keeping a diary to record potential triggers, so patients can attempt to avoid them. Behavioral changes that have been proven effective include limiting caffeine and alcohol, engaging in regular physical activity and coping with stress.
Nutrition Therapy Manhattan
Christopher Trahan OMD., LAc
Olympus Center for Holistic and Integrative Medicine
54 West 21st Street (near 6th Ave)Suite 910
NYC,
NY
10010
Call (888)-530-0611
Are you looking for a holistic and integrative approach to nutrition therapy that involves natural solutions rather than synthetic medicines? In Manhattan, New York, The Olympus Center for Holistic and Integrative Medicine headed by Dr. Trahan is able to provide you with just that.