Migraine is one of the most widespread medical conditions in the United States. An estimated 50 million Americans suffer from headaches, which include migraine and tension-type headaches. Migraine headaches can be painful, disabling, and even debilitating. Before we jump to migraine remedies, let’s first understand the major contributing factors influencing a person’s risk of getting this daunting condition.
Migraine is a neurological health condition that causes severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. It affects more than 12% of the world's population. This kind of headache starts off as episodic but progresses to chronic if neglected for too long.
Chronic migraines can cause significant disability in some people and are characterized by chronic pain lasting 15 days per month for at least three months.
Certain things within and around you can trigger this head-swirling condition. Below are some of them:
Migraines are more common in females than males, and they are also more common in people over the age of 45. A family history of migraine headaches can trigger them, especially if you have a close relative who has had migraines before or who has them now. In fact, having at least one parent with migraine headaches puts you at greater risk for developing migraines yourself! This is because genetics also play a role in triggering migraines. If your parents or grandparents had migraines, there is a higher chance that you can develop one yourself.
Migraines can be caused by an imbalance between the brain’s blood vessels and its nerve cells (the neurons). Blood vessels expand and contract as they try to keep up with the increase and decrease in pressure within them as well as temperature changes throughout the day (such as when we get hot and sweaty). This causes extra strain on those vessels, which leads to headaches!
Fluctuations in estrogen levels can cause headaches or migraines during pregnancy, perimenopause (the transition to menopause), and menopause. Women taking hormonal birth control may also experience more headaches or migraines than before they started the medication.
The hormone progesterone is a natural anti-inflammatory that helps maintain proper blood pressure levels, but it also causes relaxation of blood vessels in the brain that leads to vasodilation—which increases blood flow through these vessels. This results in increased pain transmission along with increased sensitivity to light touch or loud noises like ringing phones and loud music playing around you while doing normal daily activities such as cooking dinner or walking home.
Food like chocolate, cheese, pizza, and other salty food have been linked with increased stimulation of pain receptors on the surface of the brain, which causes us to feel more pain than we normally would when we eat them. Other food that may cause irritation include:
Chemicals used at home, such as cleaners, contain ingredients such as chlorine bleach which has been linked with neurological damage. Ammonia fumes from dryer sheets while ironing clothes could also potentially cause dizziness, so be careful not to inhale too deeply! A variety of other substances, including pesticides, are also known contributors to migraines, so it's best if you avoid eating organic produce whenever possible since those fruits & vegetables tend not to contain any pesticides.
Your level of stress, anxiety, and depression can all contribute to headaches. Stress is a major cause of headaches and many other health conditions. That is because people experiencing high levels of stress often experience more muscle and nerve pressure, as well as sudden hormonal imbalances. Anxiety causes muscles in the neck to tense up, causing an uncomfortable feeling in your head that can trigger a headache. Depression also plays a role in causing severe pain along with other symptoms like fatigue and weight gain. These symptoms worsen when you're under emotional duress or don't have proper treatment for your condition.
Most migraine medications work by blocking chemicals that are released when you get stressed out. If someone has been suffering from frequent migraines for years but hasn't found relief through medication yet? It may be possible for them to finally get some relief by changing their diet or lifestyle habits first—and then turning back on their medication later on down the road once things start improving again or try Upper Cervical Chiropractic care.
A safe, effective, and holistic way to address migraines or any kind of headache is Upper Cervical Chiropractic care. It’s non-invasive and gentle, so you can use it alongside other migraine remedies.
Upper Cervical chiropractors help alleviate migraine or headache pains by adjusting your upper cervical spine through gentle neck manipulation. By addressing misalignments in the upper cervical spine, certified practitioners can restore the balance between brain activity and body movement.
If you’re suffering from migraines or any other kind of headaches and are looking for more natural ways to get relief, we've got you covered! The Upper Cervical Awareness can help you find a credible chiropractor near you through their extensive directory of Upper Cervical chiropractors.
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.