Migraine: causes and triggers

What is migraine?

The term migraine is used to describe a severe, recurrent headache that manifests itself in attacks lasting from 4 to 72 hours. Women are affected much more than men.

Symptoms of migraine

Migraine typically occurs on one side of the head in the form of a pulsating pain of moderate to severe intensity. Physical activity intensifies the pain. In addition, symptoms such as nausea and/or hypersensitivity to light and noise may also occur. The symptoms of migraine are therefore clearly different to those of other types of headache.

Possible accompanying symptoms with migraine

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sensitivity to light
• Hypersensitivity to noises and
• Smells shimmering spots, flashes of light, blurred vision, distorted images, shrinking of visual field
• Slurred or garbled speech
• Rarely, auditory hallucinations (ringing, whistling)
• Fleeting paralysis, tingling skin
  

Migraine with aura

Around a fifth of migraine sufferers experience migraine with aura. This is when the onset of pain is preceded by visual disturbances (e.g. flickering, flashes of light). In rarer cases, sensory (e.g. tingling) or speech disorders also occur.

Causes of migraine – genetic condition?

What exactly causes a migraine hasn't yet been conclusively clarified. The as­sump­tion that circulatory disorders cause migraine is now generally refuted. Scientists now believe that hereditary factors may be involved, since migraines often run in families. In 2020, neu­ro­sci­en­tists at the University of Zurich discovered the mechanism responsible for migraine in families. This takes the form of a genetic malfunction in which certain brain cells responsible for processing pain are unable to dissipate excess sensory stimuli, and generate severe headaches instead.

Numerous trigger factors

While light is only gradually being cast on the causes of these severe headaches, more progress has been made in terms of the trigger factors. Although these factors can vary greatly from one person to the next, they do have a constant: a sudden change in a person’s habitual lifestyle.

Define your migraine triggers

A headache diary can help sufferers identify their personal trigger factors. The more consistently patients record the details of their headache, the more precisely the triggers can be defined and ultimately avoided. Keeping a headache diary – for which apps are now also available – also acts as an important source of information for the attending doctor.

Migraine attacks: what preventive action can I take?

It isn't possible to make a general statement about effective forms of prophylaxis. Rather, sufferers must find out for themselves which measures they can take to best prevent migraines. Avoiding personal triggers is – as just mentioned – an important step. Other measures could be:

1. Get sufficient sleep
2. Regularly practise endurance sports (e.g. swimming, cycling or walking)
3. Don't just accept the topic of migraine, but read up on it.

Further options with complementary therapies

The German Neurological Society also recommends “complementary” therapies for those who suffer from more than three migraine attacks a month. They name the most important methods as:

• Progressive muscle relaxation according to Jacobson (PMR)
• “Cognitive behavioural” pain management training (stress management)
• Biofeedback therapy

Household remedies for migraines

Migraines can't be cured, but besides painkillers and alternative therapies (hypnosis, acupuncture, etc.), various household remedies can also help reduce the symptoms.