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Headaches

Migraine is caused by Dilation and inflammation of cephalic arteries and intracranial extra cerebral arteries cause the migraine headache.

Migraine is caused by Dilation and inflammation of cephalic arteries and intracranial extra cerebral arteries cause the migraine headache. The migraine-associated symptoms result from the activation of the sympathetic nervous system caused by the pain.

Type of Migraine

  • Migraine with Auara: affects one out three migraine patients, visual symptoms such as blind spots or flashing lights, numbness and tingling, muscle weakness, dizziness and imbalance. It can happen on their own or before a migraine attack. Auara happen gradually and can last from 5 min to one hour. In some patient aura does affect speech and orientation and in rate case fainting might occur.
  • Migraine without Auara: the most common type of migraine headaches, Attacks of migraine without aura usually last between four hours and three days, if they are not treated or if the treatment is not effective. The frequency of these attacks varies. They could happen every few years or several times a week.
  • Chronic migraine: is defined as having headache on at least 15 days per month, with eight of these having migraine symptoms, for at least three months. Other associated symptoms are increased sensitivity to light and sound, nausea and vomiting. Other symptoms include aura (such as visual disturbances, problems with speech, numbness or pins and needles), dizziness and vertigo (a sensation of spinning).
  • Vestibula migraine: Migraine headache along with dizziness, vertigo and balance problems along with other more typical symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound.
  • Menstrual migraine: Migraine which is associated with menstrual cycle, usually starting before menstruation and continuing till end of menstruation. It will include other symptoms such as nausea/vomiting and light/sound sensitivity.

Most typical migraine headaches lasting from 4 to 72 hours, consisting of three parts. Typically, there is a prelude (prodrome), varying from individual to individual often involving symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, vertigo, anxiety, cravings. Next, the migraine itself can last between 48 and 72 hours, usually with severe head pain, and may include an aura, where brain cells become hypersensitive and begin chemical changes in the brain, causing visual effects. Thirdly, postdrome follows, where sufferers have extreme exhaustion, possible brain fog or memory block.

Research has also shown that acupuncture can help in the treatment of migraine by

  • Providing pain relief – by stimulating nerves located in muscles and other tissues, acupuncture leads to release of endorphins and other neurochumoral factors and changes the processing of pain in the brain and spinal cord (Zhao 2008, Zijlstra 2003, Pomeranz, 1987)
  • Reducing inflammation – by promoting release of vascular and immunomodulatory factors (Kim 2008, Kavoussi 2007, Zijlstra 2003).
  • Reducing the degree of cortical spreading depression (an electrical wave in the brain associated with migraine) and plasma levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide and substance P (both implicated in the pathophysiology of migraine) (Shi 2010).
  • Modulating extracranial and intracranial blood flow (Park 2009).
  • Affecting serotonin (5-hydroxytriptamine) levels in the brain (Zhong 2007). (Serotonin may be linked to the initiation of migraines; 5-HT agonists (triptans) are used against acute attacks).