Menstrual Migraine Headaches

It has been estimated that 70% of migraine sufferers are women. Among those women who suffer from migraine, report 60% -70% that their migraines are related to their menstrual cycle - hence the name, menstrual migraines.

In some cases, these painful headaches are preceded or accompanied by a warning sign (aura sensory), such as light flashes, blind spots or tingling in the arm or leg.

Migraine headaches usually affect one side of the head. They can last from several hours to several days. Some people have their week, others have less than a year. Migraines usually begin sometime between adolescence and age 40 years, and can be classified as "classical''or" common.''

What are the causes of migraines / headaches?

Migraines appear to be caused in part by changes in the body called serotonin. Plays many roles in the body and can affect blood vessels. When serotonin levels are high, blood vessels constrict (shrink). When levels fall, blood vessels dilate (swell). This swelling can cause pain or other problems.

The cause of migraine is unknown. The condition can result from a series of reactions in the central nervous system caused by changes in the body or the environment. There is often a family history of disease, suggesting that migraine sufferers may inherit sensitivity to triggers that produce inflammation in blood vessels and nerves in the brain and scalp, causing pain.

Signs and symptoms of migraines / headaches

Not all migraines are the same. Most people experience migraines without aura, formerly called common migraine. Some, however, have migraines with aura, formerly called classic migraine. If you are in the second group, you'll probably have 15 to 30 minutes before your headache begins.

Episodes can last from several hours to several days and are often disabling. During the attack, the pain can travel from one part of the head to another and may radiate to the neck in the shoulder. Scalp tenderness occurs in the majority of patients during or after an attack.

Foods that may trigger migraines

Aged, canned, smoked or processed meat, including Bologna, game, ham, herring, hot dogs, pepperoni and sausage
ripened cheese, aspartame, avocados, beans, including pole, broad, Lima, Italian, navy, pinto and garbanzo

To help prevent migraines

Keep track of what you ate before each headache. Avoid foods such as chocolate, cheese and red wine, which seem to cause a crisis. Do not skip meals or late.

Treatment of migraine / headaches

There are two approaches to the treatment of migraines with drugs: prevent the attacks, or relieve symptoms during attacks. Many people with migraine use both approaches by taking medications originally developed for epilepsy and depression to prevent future attacks, and attacks when they occur treatment with drugs called triptans that relieve pain and restore function. Hormone therapy may help some women whose migraines seem to be related to their menstrual cycle.

Preventive treatment can be prescribed for patients who have frequent headaches (3 or more per month) that do not respond to abortive treatment. Studies have shown that up to 40% of these patients may benefit from preventive treatment.


Drug therapies against migraine

People with migraines sometimes light that do not interfere with daily activities often self-medicate with over-the-counter (OTC non-prescription) pain relievers (analgesics). Many OTC analgesics are available. counter pain relievers have been shown to be safe and effective for short-term relief of headache (as wel.