What is the Cause of Severe Migraines?
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Research
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The exact cause of migraines remains unclear. It's also not clear what causes some migraines to be much more severe than others. Up until the 1980s, researchers believed that migraines were caused by changes in blood vessels in the brain. But, according to MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, the medical community now generally believes that migraines originate in the brain itself and involve changes that occur in major nerve pathways and chemicals in the brain. Although the exact process is not fully understood, scientists have identified several factors that often trigger migraines, including stress, environmental changes, certain foods and physical changes. Specific risk factors have also been identified that indicate a greater likelihood of having migraines.
Food Triggers
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Common foods that trigger migraines include those containing tryramine--- red wines, smoked fish, aged cheese, figs, chicken livers and some beans. Foods that contain nitrates, like bacon, salami and hot dogs and monosodium glutamate (MSG) can also trigger migraines. Other food triggers include chocolate, peanut butter, nuts, avocado, citrus, banana, onions, dairy products and pickled or fermented foods.
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Environmental Triggers
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Environmental factors that trigger migraines include allergic reactions, loud noises, bright lights and certain odors or perfumes. Weather conditions, changes in sleep patterns, smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke have also been found to trigger migraines.
Physical Triggers
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Physical triggers that may bring on a migraine attack include physical or emotional stress, skipping meals and tension headaches that progress to full-blown severe migraines. Hormonal changes can also contribute to migraines. Women often find that menstrual cycle fluctuations and use of birth control pills are triggers. Girls often experience their first migraines just prior to or shortly after the onset of menstruation. Pregnancy and menopause may also affect migraines, causing improvement for some women and deterioration for others.
Risk Factors
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Scientists believe that genetics also plays a role in whether a person develops migraines. People whose parents both suffer from the headaches are much more likely to do so themselves. Having just one parent with a history of migraines still significantly increases a person's risk of developing the headaches. Other risk factors include being young and female. According to the Mayo Clinic, women are three times as likely as men to develop migraines. However, this increased risk is not present during childhood---boys and girls are affected equally until after puberty.
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