Symptoms of Migraine and Headache Syndromes

A headache is a pain in the head due to a variety of different reasons. The intensity, location and frequency of the headache varies greatly from person to person. Headaches are a very common health complaint and are triggered from outside the brain tissue, since the brain itself does not have any sensory nerves. Only certain areas of the head actually feel pain and these include the skin and tissues directly beneath the skin, the arteries, veins, cranial and cervical nerves. A migraine headache, also considered a vascular headache, involves intense, sharp pain associated with altered dilation and constriction of the blood vessels in the head. Migraines affect more females than males due to hormonal changes. Approximately 30 million Americans suffer from migraines.

Signs and Symptoms

1. Classic Migraines
   Classic migraines, also known as migraines with aura, are described as "auras" that accompany the migraine which include blurred vision, flashes of light, dizziness, numbness on one side of the body and muddled thinking that occurs 20 minutes before the headache pains start.
2. Common Migraines
   Common migraines, also known as migraines without auras, have no warning signs or "auras" before the headache. This type of migraine occurs in approximately 85% of migraine sufferers.
3. Complicated Migraines
   Complicated migraines include neurological symptoms that last even after the headache disappears, such as numbness, tingling, speech problems, etc.

Possible Causes or Contributing Factors

1. Food allergies/sensitivities - usually favorite foods; this is a major cause of most headaches
2. Chemical/environmental allergies - i.e. MSG, sulfites, pollution, perfumes, etc.
3. Stress/anxiety
4. Hormonal imbalances
5. Genetic predisposition - over half of migraine sufferers have a history of migraines in their family
6. Head trauma
7. Candidiasis
8. Dental problems - a dentist should be consulted if this cause is suspect
9. Smoking - nicotine causes blood vessels to constrict, while carbon monoxide causes them to dilate, setting up a scenario for migraines and cluster headaches.
10. Spinal misalignments, pelvic or foot problems - chiropractic care is recommended.
11. Poor posture creates muscular tension that could trigger a headache.
12. Toxic colon - bad bacteria can convert tyrosine in the gut to tyramine, which increases blood pressure and can cause headaches.
13. Toxic liver
14. Eye strain - eyeglasses will eliminate this problem
15. Excess salt intake, aspartame (NutraSweet) or MSG
16. Platelet aggregation and artery constriction decrease blood to the brain and can cause headaches.
    NOTE: Migraine sufferers have increased serotonin levels (a vasoconstrictive neurotransmitter) that enhances artery constriction; serotonin is released when catecholamine (adrenaline and noradrenaline) levels rise due to stress. Serotonin works on different receptors in the blood vessels than it does in the brain (In the brain, serotonin enhances a feeling of well-being).
17. Poor diet and nutrient deficiencies
18. Heavy metal toxicity
19. Anemia
20. Reactive hypoglycemia - need to stabilize blood sugar to avoid headache stimulus
21. Hypertension
22. TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint)
23. Alcohol abuse
24. Weather changes
25. Caffeine or other drug withdrawal
26. Sinus congestion
27. Leaky Gut Syndrome - increased intestinal permeability
28. Poor sleep patterns
29. Mercury amalgam fillings

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