Migraines: Not Just a Horrible Headache

As if migraine sufferers don't have enough to worry about, now scientists have determined that those horrible headaches might actually be causing damage to the brain. The studies are not all that new, a research group in Holland back in 2004 did studies on people who had migraines with and without the visual problems (flashing lights, blurred vision) and a group similar in age, occupation, sex, etc., who did not have migraines. When they did magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests on all of the study group, they found that the people with the visual migraines actually had small lesions in the area of the brain that control motor functions (movement). The lesions were likely caused by a depletion in oxygen.

Even the people with the non-visual migraines had an increased risk for some sort of brain damage, as oppossed to the non-migraine suffering people who had no increased risk at all. They also found that more women seem to get migraines than men. Most people, especially women, are already aware of that fact, though. Researchers have estimated that about 20 million people in the United States that suffer from any of the forms of migraines. That's a lot of people who are potentially at risk for brain damage. It naturally follows then, that those people who have regular or prolonged bouts of migraines are more likely to have greater amounts of damage. Unfortunately, the studies have not proven yet whether the brain lesions are actually detrimental to the patients or not.

The cause of a migraine has been known for a long time. There is a spontangeous tightening of the blood vessels in the brain that creates a temporary loss of oxygen to that particular area. This causes the terrible pain and is evidently the time when the tissue damage occurs. At this point, even with all the research, nobody is quite sure why this happens. There could be environmental triggers (light, noise) or food sensitivities (chocolate) or a genetic link (passed from the parents), but it's usually difficult to pinpoint the exact cause. Doctors have also known for some time that migraine sufferers are more likely to have strokes down the line. Their brains are apparently very sensitive and in severe cases, the patients need to take regular medication to control the migraines just so they can function.

The results of the studies indicate that people who get migraines should not simply dismiss them as annoying headaches, but should be checked by a doctor to make sure they receive treatment, if necessary. There are medications these days that can stop and prevent migraines, but many people are unwilling to take pills each day. However, as the news spreads about possible brain damage, it's a good liklihood that doctors and patients will begin treatment sooner to avoid potential problems in the future.