Migraines are so common, you may be surprised to learn how far lone you are if you suffer from them. Even if you just know someone who is battling migraines, these facts can help you to understand the condition better and be more supportive. In the end, we will discuss a natural way that some are finding migraine relief, but first, let’s look at some of the facts about migraines.
Let’s break down what this fact means. First of all, it makes migraines number 3 on the list of the world’s most common ailments. Second, it means that in the US about 1 in every 4 households has a migraine sufferer. Plus, you will notice that the statistic says people and not adults. That’s right- about 10% of kids have migraines.
Migraines are more than just a minor annoyance. 9 in 10 patients are unable to carry out normal activities or work during an attack. Severe migraines that occur frequently can become debilitating. In fact, migraine is number 6 on the leading cause of disability list. More than a million people head to the ER for migraines each year.
A headache is a symptom of a migraine. Migraines are a neurological condition and often present with other symptoms like nausea and vomiting, sensory sensitivity, and throbbing head pain that may grow worse with activity.
Other symptoms may occur before a migraine begins or after it ends. For example, about 1 in 4 migraine patients experience aura about 20-30 minutes before the migraine. This usually consists of visual symptoms. Other pre-migraine symptoms may include food cravings and neck pain. After the migraine, some people experience what is termed a migraine hangover. Exhaustion and other symptoms may require a day of rest just to recover from the migraine.
Chronic migraines mean that a person is experiencing migraines more than 50% of the days in a month. Some may have migraines every day. One thing that commonly causes occasional migraines to progress into chronic migraines is headache medication. These medications may provide temporary pain relief, but they are not designed for regular use. Taking headache medications a couple of times per week can lead to rebound headaches. At some point, the only way to know which migraines are actually caused by the medication is to stop taking it and wait for all the drugs to clear out of the body.
About 18% of women experience migraines versus about 6% of men, so about three times as many women are afflicted with the condition. Chronic migraines are even more disproportionately split with about 17 out of 20 sufferers being female. Fluctuating hormone levels can trigger migraines, so it is common for women to get migraines during pregnancy, menopause, or during certain parts of their monthly cycle.
Migraines are often underdiagnosed in children, but research indicates that up to 10% of kids get migraines. This condition is not hereditary, but there may be some genes that predispose a person. As a result, about 50% of the children of migraineurs are affected. That number jumps up to 75% if both parents have the condition.
Businesses in the US lose more than $13 billion each year due to the fact that migraines result in 113 million missed days of work. The only part of the economy that benefits from migraines is the medical industry. More than $41 billion is spent per year in the US on migraine care. That includes $1 billion in brain scans alone.
The things that can set off an episode for someone who suffers from migraines varies wildly from person to person. Here is a small selection of triggers that may bring on an attack:
While some claim to have food triggers, there is little scientific evidence to back this up. Some of the most blamed culprits are red wine, chocolate, MSG, caffeine, and foods that contain nitrates. Something to consider, however, is that food cravings can precede a migraine. This may give a person the mistaken idea that the food triggered the migraine whereas, in reality, the craving was an indication that the migraine was already on its way. However, if you have any food sensitivities, it is a good idea just to avoid those foods anyway.
If you are tired of over-the-counter or prescription pain medications that may just make matters worse, you are not alone. That’s why we have seen many people turning to upper cervical chiropractic care. Gentle adjustments of the C1 (atlas) can help to correct a misalignment that could be at the root of chronic migraines.
Even a slight misalignment of the atlas can affect brainstem function, cerebrospinal fluid drainage, and blood flow to the brain. Migraines can be the result. Any head or neck trauma could have resulted in such a misalignment, so if you have ever suffered a whiplash injury or concussion, this may be the right option for you.
To learn more about what is involved in upper cervical chiropractic, schedule a consultation with a practitioner near you.
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The content and materials provided in this web site are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to supplement or comprise a medical diagnosis or other professional opinion, or to be used in lieu of a consultation with a physician or competent health care professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. All content and materials including research papers, case studies and testimonials summarizing patients' responses to care are intended for educational purposes only and do not imply a guarantee of benefit. Individual results may vary, depending upon several factors including age of the patient, severity of the condition, severity of the spinal injury, and duration of time the condition has been present.
