Category: Migraines

Migraine’ comes from the ancient Greek word “hemicrania” which means “half-head”. Approximately 50 million people in the U.S. suffer. Cause of migraines is not known, why some people get them/some do not. People over 45 who develop migraine headaches with an aura have a six-fold increased risk of having a stroke or heart attack. A migraine stroke occurs when the spasm of the artery feeding the visual fields on one side of the brain is very intense. Women are most affected (3:1 vs.men) most commonly with premenstrual cycle. Approximately 70% of all women who get migraines can predict the onset of a headache around their cycle. Hormonal fluctuations (estrogen) With menopause, fluctuations stop causing a 65-70% less frequency of headaches 30-45-year-olds to have more migraines than any other age groups. 70-80% of migraine sufferers have a family history of migraines, why is not known. 17% of children are affected by severe and recurrent headaches in the U.S. Migraine medication is not recommended until more data shows that drugs can help.