DEFINITION
FACTS
CAUSES
SYMPTOMS
TYPES
rTMS AND MIGRAINES
SEARCH JOURNAL ARTICLES

DEFINITION

An intense pulsing or throbbing pain in one area of the head often accompanied by extreme sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and vomiting.

 Back to top

FACTS

• Migraines are three times more common in women than in men.
• Some individuals can predict the onset of a migraine because it is preceded by an "aura," visual disturbances that appear as flashing lights, zig-zag lines or a temporary loss of vision.
• People with migraines tend to have recurring attacks triggered by a lack of food or sleep, exposure to light or hormonal irregularities (only in women).
• Anxiety or stress can also be triggers.
• Migraines are linked to the dilation and constriction of blood vessels in the head.
• Recent research connects migraines to inherited abnormalities in genes that control the activities of certain cell populations in the brain.
• Migraines are a disease, whereas headaches are a symptom. Migraines are recurrent and debilitating headaches that are usually experienced on one side of the head.

 Back to top

CAUSES

• Serotonin: Migraines appear to be associated with changes in the body’s serotonin levels. Serotonin plays various roles in the body, one affecting the blood vessels. When serotonin levels fall, vasodilation occurs and the inflammation of the tissue surrounding the brain intensifies pain.
• Hunger
• Food: cheese, nuts, avocados, chocolate, anything cured with nitrates (e.g. hot dogs), MSG, alcohol
• Changes in weather
• Fatigue, emotional stress
• Oral contraceptives, menstrual periods

 Back to top

SYMPTOMS

• Intense throbbing/aching pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Auras (light spots), blurred vision, blind spots
• Sensitivity to light, sound, odor
• Numbness
• Difficulty in speech
• Stuffy nose, cold, sweaty
• Light headedness
• Tender Scalp

 Back to top

TYPES

Classic Migraines: Commence with warning signs such as flashing lights and colours. In some cases, people experience double-vision or temporary, partial blindness. One may also experience a prickly, burning, or even a weak sensation on one side of the body. These symptoms may last about 15 to 30 minutes either before or in conjunction with throbbing head pains.

Common Migraines: Occur without warning signs. Common Migraines may commence more slowly than classic migraines, but may persist longer. The pains vary in location, but are generally localized to only one side of the head.

 Back to top

rTMS AND MIGRAINES

• MindCare Centres has been successful at reducing the frequency and duration of migraines in a small sample of patients.
• For these patients, relief from migraines was accomplished as a additional feature to the treatment protocols for depression.
• 10-20 high frequency rTMS treatments administered over the left dorso-lateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) are required.
• Treatments are delivered twice per day over one to two weeks.
• Please contact MCC staff members directly to obtain further details.

Search journal articles on Migraines

 Back to top