Migraine affects 15% to 17% of women and 6% of men. During migraine attacks, the “migraine generator” of the brain stem site becomes activated, then the trigeminal nerve, which innervates the larger cerebral vessels, releases serotonin and vasoactive peptides. These substances cause inflammation of the dura mater and cranial blood vessels, resulting in the symptoms of migraine.
Common Benign Headache Syndromes
Migraine
Migraine headache is often associated with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, and mood changes. A prodrome that begins up to 24 hours before headache onset may also occur. Photophobia, phonophobia, food cravings, mood changes, myalgia, and paresthesia may also be observed.
Migraine without aura occurs in two-thirds of patients, manifesting as attacks that last 4 to 72 hours. The attacks may recur daily, weekly, or monthly. The headache is unilateral, pulsating, of moderate or severe intensity, and aggravated by physical activity. Nausea and/or vomiting, photophobia, and phonophobia usually accompany the headache.
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Migraine with aura occurs in one third of migraineurs. Aura is a warning sign of an impending migraine attack, which is often visual and may consist of flashing or zigzagging lights, a blind spot (scotoma), partial visual field loss (hemianopia), or distortion of the shape or size of objects (metamorphopsia). The aura may be accompanied by numbness or tingling in the upper extremities, face, or neck. Aura duration rarely exceeds 1 hour.
Cluster headache is an uncommon headache, which is five times more prevalent in men than in women. It is a severe, unilateral, periorbital pain that lasts 30 to 60 minutes. Onset is sudden and pain intensity increases rapidly. Resolution of the pain is sudden and dramatic. Patients may have one to three headaches per day. Associated symptoms include unilateral rhinorrhea, lacrimation, eyelid edema, ptosis, and nasal stuffiness.
Tension-type headache is a steady, aching pain of mild to moderate intensity, often characterized as a band-like pain around the head. Gastrointestinal and neurologic signs and symptoms usually do not occur.
November 26th, 2007 at 10:41 am
[...] therapy includes identification and avoidance of triggers for headaches, adequate sleep, and regular aerobic exercise. Biofeedback and stress reduction techniques may also [...]