by Natalie Faulk

Created on: April 01, 2008   Last Updated: June 10, 2011

Migraine headaches are caused by changes within the blood vessels in the brain, and are currently the most common ailment seen in emergency rooms in recent history. They can last for a few hours or several days and affect almost 15% of the population; with women being three times more susceptible then men. Mere utterance of the word "migraine" is enough to send several individuals into panic mode; as migraine sufferers know all too well the debilitating pain, nausea, vision impairment, and other symptoms that are experienced far too often.

Within the broad category of "migraines" three subcategories exist. Common migraines account for approximately 80% of all migraines. Classic migraines are typically preceded by an aura, or some type of visual distortion, and are frequently more painful than common migraines. Status migraines are headaches that do not dissipate without medical intervention.

Experts cite a progression of five phases in the migraine cycle: prodrome, aura, headache, headache termination, and postdrome. The prodrome phase is characterized by a variety of pre-headache symptoms, or warning signs, that a migraine is imminent. Such warnings can be fatigue, muscle twitches, sensory alterations, and mood swings. The aura phase, as stated earlier, often involves visual changes like blind spots, loss of sight on one side, or flashing geometric patterns. The headache itself can be localized on one side; however, typically affect both sides and are frequently accompanied by nausea, vomiting, throbbing, and photosensitivity. Headache termination can occur anywhere from 4 to 72 hours after initial prodrome onset, and even without medication or other medical interventions, usually subside with sleep. Finally, the postdrome phase encompass any other physical issues once the headache is gone; oftentimes, loss of appetite, fatigue or lack of concentration.

Despite the absence of any definite cause of migraines, experts assert that an amalgamation of the aforementioned structural changes in the brain's blood vessels and the release of certain biochemicals combine to produce migraine symptoms.

Migraines can occur any time; however, there are certain triggers which tend to directly precede a migraine attack. These triggers range from various foods such as chocolate, nuts, cheese, MSG, and alcohol to hunger to stress. Furthermore, both smoking and the use of birth control pills have been known to trigger migraines as well.

While most migraines do not require medical

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