Migraines are not well understood. However, researchers work every day to better understand the condition and find ways to either cure it or, at the very least, help sufferers manage it. A large body of that research focuses on how migraines happen.
The answer to the question of how migraines happen has two parts to it. The first deals with the science behind migraine headaches. The second deals with the four stages of the migraine. If you live with migraines, it may help for you to understand both.
Older theories regarding migraines suggested that migraines were the result of fluctuations of blood flow to the brain. However, modern researchers suspect that those fluctuations in blood flow do not necessarily cause migraine pain but rather, contribute to it.
Today’s researchers largely, if not unanimously, agree that chemical compounds and hormones, such as oestrogen and serotonin, often play a role in people with a propensity to develop migraines and, how sensitive they are to certain triggers.
This theory goes hand-in-hand with other migraine pain theories, one of which suggests that migraine pain occurs when excitable brain cells cause waves of activity. These waves of activity trigger the release of chemicals, such as serotonin, to the blood vessels. Because serotonin is responsible for the communication between nerve cells and causes the narrowing of blood vessels, a surge of it can cause intense pressure and pain, especially in the head.
Changes in oestrogen levels have more or less the same effect. Research suggests that when oestrogen levels rise and fall, the blood vessels may begin to experience contractions. This would explain the “throbbing” pain. Other findings suggest that when serotonin levels dip, the nerves in the scalp and face become more sensitive to pain.
Both men and women experience migraines because of fluctuations in serotonin levels. However, because oestrogen is a primarily female hormone, changes in oestrogen levels affects only women. This may be why, researchers say, that women tend to experience migraines at three times the rate of men.
Now that you understand why migraines occur, it may help to understand what happens to your body as it progresses through the stages of migraine. Below are the four main stages of migraine.
Though you may not feel symptoms right away, a migraine truly begins when an internal or external trigger causes the neurons in the brain to fire abnormally. Though triggers vary from person to person, common triggers include poor dietary choices, dehydration, shifts in weather, strong scents, loud noises, flashing lights, lack of sleep and changes in hormone levels.
Hyperexcitability of the cells is a prevalent theory regarding why migraine pain occurs. When your neurons fire abnormally, neurons in the brain may become overly stimulated, leading to symptoms that affect the senses. These symptoms may include but are not limited to sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, vomiting, difficulties with speech and temporary loss of vision. Some migraine sufferers even experience an “aura,” which is a visual disturbance characterized by lines or light.
The attack phase is the phase in which the body’s hormone levels begin to fluctuate. Scientists believe the hyperexcitability triggers a drop in levels of serotonin, thereby triggering the release of other chemicals called neuropeptides. Moreover, a surge of serotonin throughout the body also causes the blood vessels around the brain to dilate. For some people, this expansion can lead to throbbing on one or both sides of the head.
After about four to 72 hours, the migraine will begin to fade. However, as it does, you are unlikely to experience much relief. Many migraine suffers take one to several days to recover, experiencing fatigue, impaired concentration and weakness during that time. For optimal recovery, health professionals often recommend getting plenty of rest and scaling back other obligations and daily activities.