Causes and Risk Factors of Migraine

Causes

The mechanism by which migraines occur has not yet been clearly identified. Many researchers consider functional changes in the brain, changes in neurotransmitter concentrations, and inflammatory responses involving the trigeminal nerve and surrounding blood vessels to be important mechanisms in migraine onset.

According to recent research, new brain imaging techniques have shown that migraine is a disorder caused by abnormalities in the brain. In other words, people with migraines have a "sensitive brain, sensitive nerves, and sensitive blood vessels," and when they are exposed to triggering stimuli in this state, a migraine attack occurs. It is also known that the trigeminal nerve secretes various chemicals that cause inflammation in nearby blood vessels, making nerve fibers more sensitive to pain and causing blood vessels to dilate. Neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and glutamate are also thought to play important roles.

Risk Factors

1. Family history Because migraine patients often have a family history, it has long been thought that genetic factors play a role in the development of migraines.

2. Women Women are more likely to develop migraines. In women, the likelihood of developing migraines is three times higher than in men.

3. Trigger factors

1. Hormonal changes The sharp increase in migraine occurrence in women after menarche, the worsening of headaches during menstruation, and the improvement of migraines during pregnancy or after menopause are examples showing that hormonal effects are important.

2. Food A typical example is alcohol. In particular, red wine is a well-known trigger for migraines. In addition, aged cheese, chocolate, fermented foods, pickled foods, seasonings such as aspartame, excessive caffeine, seasonings known as MSG, some spices, and canned foods or processed foods are also known to be associated with the occurrence of migraines. However, since these foods do not trigger migraines in most patients, there is no need to restrict them except in special cases where they clearly trigger one’s headaches. Rather than that, it is most important to improve irregular eating habits such as skipping meals or overeating, which are among the most common headache triggers.

3. Stress and fatigue Stress and fatigue are the most common triggers and provoke migraines in more than half of migraine patients, and severe mental tension can also cause migraines. However, migraines can also occur when resting after overexertion.

4. Sensory stimulation Excessively bright light or sunlight can also trigger migraines. Strange odors can also cause migraines. Among olfactory stimuli, unpleasant smells such as lacquer thinner or cigarette smoke can trigger migraines, but pleasant smells such as perfume or floral scents can also provoke migraines.

5. Changes in sleep patterns Migraines can be triggered by not sleeping or by sleeping too much.

6. Exercise Exercise such as mountain climbing or jogging can also trigger migraines. In such cases, sufficient warm-up exercises and reducing exercise intensity on hot and humid days are also preventive measures.

7. Changes in the environment Migraines can occur due to changes in weather, seasons, altitude, and atmospheric pressure, and they can also be caused by jet lag.

So far, we have explained the causes and risk factors of migraines. In the next part, we will look at the symptoms and diagnosis of migraines.

Source: Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, National Health Information Portal