With the motto of “Work, Work and Work”- Americans are nearly getting out of their personal life and focusing on work life on a precise note.
And one triggering factor that they can’t avoid on a regular day life is- headache. When the situation gets severe, they suffer from sinusitis and migraine as well. In 2021, where only nar 4.1% of total Americans used to have regular migraines, now the percentage has gone up to 17.3.
In this article, we will talk about the sources, causes, symptoms and prevention of this mighty condition and suggest a way out of it. So, stay with us till the end.
Key Points
- Sources of Headache and Migraine
- Causes of it
- Symptoms
- Risk factors
- Prevention to get a way out
What are the Sources of Headache and Migraine Disorders?
Migraines, tension headaches, and cluster headaches are the three main categories of headache disorders. A secondary headache is a type of headache that develops as a sign of another underlying health issue, like a sinus infection or head trauma.
Each primary headache kind has a theory produced by researchers as to what brain function may be causing your headache symptoms. There are numerous headache varieties that can hurt. This discomfort is typically brought on by a tension headache.
The headache that causes the forehead is not a condition in and of itself, and it is rarely connected to that area of the brain. On the other hand, poor vision can result in a headache caused by temples.
What are the Causes of Migraine Headache?
Headache Caused by sinus
Sinusitis, or sinus congestion and inflammation, can result in sinus headaches. In turn, allergies like hay fever or a respiratory illness like the flu or cold lead to sinusitis.
Mucus can drain from the sinuses and air can flow freely through the nasal passages when they are healthy. Sinuses that are inflamed become blocked and unable to clear mucus. Sinuses that are obstructed give bacteria, viruses, and fungi a place to dwell and thrive. Although a cold is the most typical reason, anything that keeps the sinuses from draining might result in sinusitis.
Trigeminal Nerve as the Primary cause
According to some studies, the trigeminal nerve, a nerve that transmits pain and temperature signals from the face to the brain, may be to blame. Your brain releases proteins that lead to inflammation in your brain when it receives a pain signal from your trigeminal nerve.
Sensitization is the process through which your nerve cells become more sensitive to pain as the inflammation progresses. This procedure can make it simpler for external stimuli to exacerbate the pain and prolong your migraine episode.
Stress Headaches- Secondary cause of Migraine
The most typical sort of headache is a tension headache. However, investigations into the precise cause are still ongoing. According to some specialists, your scalp, neck, and shoulder muscles tighten as a result of a brain function, which creates tension, stiffness, and pain in these body regions.
According to some beliefs, the tissue that surrounds your facial muscles, or myofascial tissue, contributes to the development of tension headache symptoms.
Multiple Headaches at a Time
Researchers have established a few theories regarding the possible origin of cluster headaches. According to one idea, cluster headache symptoms could be brought on by a problem with your hypothalamus’s ability to function, which is a region of the brain that controls hormones, body temperature, and sleep.
Another hypothesis suggests that the production of histamine, a substance linked to inflammation, damage, and allergies, may cause cluster headaches to be accompanied by other symptoms like red eyes and a stuffy nose.
What are the Risk Factors of Chronic Migraine?
Not everybody who is exposed to triggers gets migraines. Your risk of contracting the illness can be influenced by the following variables:
- Age: Although a first migraine attack can occur at any age, most migraine sufferers first experience the condition in adolescence.
- Family background: Your risk is raised if a close relative suffers from migraines. In actuality, 90% of those who have the disorder have a family history of it. Your risk of developing migraines is roughly 50% if one parent does. In the event that both parents suffer from migraines, that risk rises to 75%.
- Sex: Males have migraines more frequently during childhood. Females are three times as likely to have it after puberty. Up to the age of 40, women’s risk of migraine increases, after which it begins to decrease.
Are Migraines Inherited?
People are more prone to get migraines, tension, or cluster headaches themselves if they have close relatives who do. In fact, there is a greater than 50% probability that you will experience headaches if one or more of your parents suffer from a headache problem.
The precise genetics of headaches are currently being investigated. What medical professionals do know is that you must inherit one or more genetic abnormalities that increase your risk of experiencing headaches in order for headaches to be passed forward.
However, having a gene mutation does not guarantee that you will experience headaches. You must also have certain environmental conditions in order to get headaches.
How do I Know if my Headache is a Migraine? (Occasional and Periodic)
These symptoms could occur if you have a migraine:
- An aura, or luminous haze, just before the onset of migraine pain
- Hazy vision
- One side of your head is hurting.
- Sensitivity to light, touch, scent, or sound
- Nausea
Periodic migraines can be triggered by:
- Changes in hormone levels
- Stress
- Specific foods
- Either a lack of food or water
- Alterations in the climate
How to Prevent the Chronic Condition of Headache and Migraine?
Headaches and migraines can be prevented or reduced in frequency with certain lifestyle choices. These consist of:
- Getting adequate sleep: Try to go to bed and wake up at regular times. Also, on the weekends, avoid the impulse to oversleep. The majority of adults need at least 7 hours of sleep per night.
- Exercise on a regular basis: Regular exercise can help lower stress and enhance or maintain physical fitness.
- Increasing posture: If a person’s headaches are brought on by poor posture, they might benefit from sitting up straight and making sure their lower back is appropriately supported. It is best to take regular breaks from staring at screens and sitting still for extended periods of time.
