Migraines Could Cause Brain Damage

Migraines can cause parts of the brain to swell up, leaving the sufferer with potential brain damage as a result of each painful headache.

Researchers announced today that a recent study indicates that migraines may be doing permanent damage to the brain. When a migraine headache occurs, dendrites (the long skinny nerves) were affected. These connect as a pathway to other nerves and when they lack oxygen they swell up and can cause lasting brain damage.

This new information regarding migraines helps researchers understand why those who suffer from these horrible headaches have a higher chance of having a stroke. That information was discovered years ago after a conclusive study was done to connect the two. Another issue is that people who have frequent migraines are more likely to have a heart attack than those don't have migraine headaches; this study was just published last week.

What was done in the study is that mice were used to simulate brain waves similar to what occurs during a migraine headache. The mice were observed closely and their brain activity was evaluated. Their brains began to swell and they lacked proper oxygen needed to function adequately. Nerve endings were damaged and the exact result of that is yet unknown. It is very possible that when human's experience migraines a similar situation occurs.

Health professionals encourage migraine sufferers to get treatment and care that includes medication or other methods to prevent migraines from occurring, rather than taking something to stop the pain once it begins. There are a variety of medications available, some are taken daily in hopes of preventing migraines while others are used when you feel the "aura" before a migraine hits. Many people wait until it's too late and take something to try to help with the pain and if any damage has occurred to the brain it's already happened. Those who have migraines should consult their doctor or health care provider to find out which route of treatment/prevention to take. It's not something that one should just suffer through.

In this study, if the mice were given high amounts of oxygen they seemed to do better and not have the same amount of brain swelling. Many times patients with migraines and cluster headaches are treated with oxygen as a way to ease the pain and manage the migraine.

What is not entirely clear is whether or not the brain damage is truly permanent. Some part of the study indicated that it was long term and irreversible. Other aspects concluded that it was not permanent. Possibly memory and cognitive thinking are hindered in frequent migraine sufferers. Researchers continue to study the effects of migraine on the brain and are hoping to find out how better to prevent them from occurring and treat them effectively when they do happen.

"Migraines may be tied to Brain Damage" MSNBC.com - mental health

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18382559/