If you ever have experienced Migraines, you know that the pain is like no other. They can stop you in your tracks, keeping you from experiencing daily joys. There is various root cause of migraines, including post-traumatic, facial, thyroid hormone, structural, adrenal hormone, glucotoxicity, reproductive hormones, and Environmental Toxicity. Causes of Migraine
There are two major types of migraines with Aura and without Aura. Let’s discuss both types.
Migraine with Aura, also called classic migraines, is a headache that strikes after or along with sensory disturbances; there are visual symptoms associated with this type of migraine, which includes:
– Blind spots (scotomas), which are sometimes outlined by simple geometric designs
– Zigzag lines that gradually float across your field of vision
– Shimmering spots or stars
– Changes in vision or vision loss
– Flashes of light
– Additional sensory disturbances include feeling numbness typically felt as tingling in one hand or the face difficulty with speech or language and muscle weakness.
Migraine without Aura is more than just a headache. The pain is debilitating and, for some, often accompanies nausea and vomiting. This type of migraine accounts for about 75% of all migraines. Headache pain is typically localized in the front of the head and can last from 4 to 72 hours. Associated symptoms include:
– Nausea -Vomiting
– Yawning -Irritability
– Low blood pressure
– Feeling “hyper”
– Sensitivity to light, sounds, or motion
– Dark circles under your eyes
Root Causes of Migraines
Photo by Tony-Schnagl
Post-Traumatic
The International Headache Society defines post-traumatic headache as: “a headache developing within seven days of the injury or after regaining consciousness.” Because post-traumatic migraines are associated with an injury, it’s essential to identify and understand the nature of the damage for treatment. Following a traumatic injury, at least 25% of people with mild traumatic brain injury do not seek medical attention. Treating post-traumatic headaches after a concussion
Migraine can occur due to:
– Displacement of structures within the skull -Inflammation (the source may be intracranial, extracranial, or cervical)
– Decreased blood flow or metabolic changes
– Increased muscle tension in the head or neck
– Inflammation/irritation of the thin layers of tissue “coating” the brain (i.e., the meninges)
– Increased pressure within the skull
– Musculoskeletal headache is the most common cause of head discomfort or headache after trauma and often one of the most overlooked. Chiropractic care is a tremendous corrective method for addressing any misalignments created from a traumatic event.
Facial
These types are very treatable. Here are some typical causes: Dental issues (including abscesses), TMJ, Bruxism (a condition in which you grind, gnash, or clench your teeth), Sinus problem, Allergies, Trigeminal Nerve (a nerve responsible for sensation in the face and motor functions such as biting and chewing), Each cause has its treatment plan. Depending on your specific reason, a dentist or allergist can help determine how to approach your issue.
Thyroid Hormone
Imbalances in the thyroid are linked to numerous conditions, including migraines, and your doctor can order a hormone screening to determine if this may account for your chronic migraines. Of all the thyroid conditions, hypothyroidism is most frequently associated with migraine complications. The symptoms include cold, dry skin, irregular cycles, weight gain, slow heart rate, and constipation. Other thyroid conditions, such as Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, may cause migraine as well.
The first step is a blood test to determine if thyroxine’s thyroid hormone is in proper balance. When contrasted with being underactive or overactive, treatment can follow. There are several ways to treat thyroid conditions. Your doctor will consider what’s causing it, your age, overall health, and how severe your symptoms are when developing the appropriate treatment.
Ivan-Samkov-
Structural
Structural migraines are linked to various localized pain in different structural parts of the head. Common structural conditions include:
Neck pain and shoulder tension, “Back of the head” headaches, chronic position stress, shoulder, and upper back strain.
When assessing a structural migraine, the source of pain needs to be identified. Correcting the source of pain will effectively reduce the intensity of a migraine. Massage and acupuncture are beneficial techniques for treating structural migraines by loosening tight muscles and increasing blood circulation. Chiropractic care can also be helpful. Following identification of which structure is connected to migraine pain, additional factors will be explored. For example, if neck pain is the source of migraine, what is causing the neck pain will need to be identified. Most conditions will be related to posture correction. Physical therapy can also help address modifying supportive muscle structures to help improve and correct posture and eliminate pain.
Adrenal Hormone
Adrenals are tiny organs that sit on top of your kidneys, and they are part of the endocrine system and regulate stress, metabolism, and a variety of other functions. Cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone, or simply DHEA, are stress hormones produced by the adrenals. Chronic stress causes the adrenal glands to produce excess levels of cortisol and DHEA and can lead to exhaustion of the adrenal glands. DHEA is perhaps the most abundant steroid hormone in the body, so its decrease in level can be detrimental to overall well-being. Adrenal insufficiency is diagnosed with a blood test that checks if your cortisol levels are too low.
A cholesterol test may be ordered to determine DHEA levels. When cholesterol is too low, DHEA decreases over time, leading to a deficiency. A deficiency results in a decrease in estrogen and testosterone as well. One helpful method for relieving migraines is stress reduction and relaxation. Reducing adrenal fatigue through calming activities can be particularly helpful. Melatonin supplementation can help correct sleep cycles, which can also be altered from under or overactive adrenal hormones. Relieve Adrenal Fatigue Migraines
Environmental Toxicity
Environmental toxicity can be tricky to diagnosis as the cause of migraines, as we are constantly exposed to various toxins. Some of the most common toxins include mold, organic toxins such as fungicides, chemicals, pesticides, and heavy metals such as mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and lead.
Treatment varies depending on the type of environmental toxin responsible for your migraine. A detox cleanse can help release toxins stored in tissue and remove them from the body for heavy metal toxicity. There are various detoxing cleanse methods; your doctor can help you determine which is suitable for your age, body type, and lifestyle. Most cleanses incorporate the use of supplementation and diet to aid the body’s natural detoxing organs.
If mold is thought to be the cause of migraines, at-home mold kits can be used to determine if you are being exposed to mold in your immediate environment. Depending on the type and extent of mold infestation, professional removal may be required. Limiting the chemicals around your home can help reduce exposure to organic chemicals. For example, changing lawn care products to natural alternatives and opting for organic and local produce can help limit your exposure.
I understand how debilitating chronic migraines can be. Finding a treatment for the root cause of your migraine is the only way to eliminate migraines in the future. Contact our office or schedule online to discuss how we can help determine the cause of your migraines and develop a treatment plan.
