Migraine is thought to be a disorder of the brains control mechanism for the blood vessels in the head.  This “chemical imbalance” is often inherited.  The disorder can begin in early childhood and persists through most of the adult life.  Severe migraine affects 28 million Americans, with a female-to-male ratio of 3:1.

In 2000, the World Health Organization classified migraine among the major public health disorders and recognized that migraine is a leading cause of chronic disability with its extensive impact on patients, families, and work productivity. Migraine was ranked as only slightly less disabling than chronic obstructive lung disease. Migraine costs American employers about $11 billion a year due to missed work days and impairment while on the job. Annual direct medical costs for migraine are $1 billion, with about $100 spent per diagnosed patient.

During a migraine attack there are changes in the electrical and chemical activity of the brain that causes changes in blood flow and inflammation of blood vessels.  The alterations in blood flow can produce preceding symptoms called auras.  These can be very bizarre experiences and include partial or complete visual loss, numbness, weakness and confusion.  The headache usually follows the aura and it is on one side or both sides of the head.  It is frequently associated with nausea, vomiting, photophobia and sonophobia.  Because migraine is worsened by physical activity, people like to rest in a quiet and dark location during an attack.  Migraine headaches typically last from a few hours to one day.  Usually people have between four and six of these headaches per month.

Migraine is also common in children but presents slightly different.  The attacks are shorter than in adults.  Throbbing or unilateral pain or the presence of photophobia and sonophobia, are less common.

If you have questions or comments regarding this topic that you would like for us to address here in the future please don’t hesitate to email us at Headache@Wisedoctors.com.