Transcript Migraine Headaches - faculty at Chemeketa

Report by
Jonathan Cartney
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Under-diagnosed/under-treated
28-30 million people diagnosed each year in the
United States (Approx 12 percent of US pop.)
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75 percent of all cases are women
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Affects all ages however common in ages 5-40
Two Types of Migraines
 Classic Migraines – Presents with an aura (aura
symptoms include flashing lights or zigzag lines, temporary loss of vision, speech
difficulty, weakness of an arm or leg, tingling of the face or hands, and confusion)
Pain can last up to 1 – 2 days.
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Common Migraine – Migraines that the
common public suffer from. Pain can last up to
3-4 days. Does not present with an aura.
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Exposure to a Trigger
Pre-Migraine symptoms (Warning signs caused
by vasoconstriction)
Vasodilatation
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Release of serotonin from nerves causing
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Including the Temporal Artery (which causes pain)
Sympathetic Nervous System Stimulation
Further vasodilatation
Release of pain producing substances called
prostaglandins
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Unilateral focused pain
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Pain can be in:
 Forehead
 Temple
 Back of Head
 Sides
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Nausea Vomiting and Diarrhea
Photophobia
Sound Sensitivity
Auras (about 20 percent of all cases)
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Immediate Headache Medications
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Triptans (Imitrex, rizatriptan) – attach to serotonin
receptors, vasoconstriction
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Ergots (Ergomar, Wigraine) – systemic
vasoconstriction
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Midrin (combination of pain reliever,
vasoconstrictor, and a sedative)
Reduction in Triggers
Prophylactic Medications
Beta Blockers (Decreases prostaglandin production)
 Tricyclic antidepressants (alters the
neurotransmitters, nor epinephrine and serotonin,
that the nerves of the brain use to communicate
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Lack/Overabundance of Sleep
Fasting (caused by stress and reduction in hormone release)
Caffeine (withdrawal or rebound migraines)
Bright Lights
Food Products (Chocolate, wine, tyramine,
MSG, nitrites, aspartame)
Cigarette Smoke
Hormones (in Females only)
Migraines are a common symptom for people with
brain aneurysms.
Severe Migraines can cause an aneurysm to rupture
Women with history of migraines 30% less chance of
getting breast cancer. (Case study Seattle 3500 participants)
Migraines Headaches are rarely dangerous,
however the patient can be in moderate to
extreme pain.
There are very few treatments, just strive to make
them comfortable.
Attempt to remove the patients from the triggers.
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