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Whether you call it "Migraine,' "Migraine Disease," or "Migraine Disorder," Migraine is actually a recurrent, episodic, genetic, neurological disease. What does that mean? It means that Migraineurs have a genuine neurological disease -- all the time.
When Migraineurs have a Migraine episode or attack, the headache is just one symptom of the episode. It is not the actual episode. The point is, the term "Migraine headache" is not only incorrect, it's misleading, and may be a source of the misunderstanding of Migraine. As Migraineurs, we don't experience "Migraine headaches;" we experience "Migraine episodes" or "Migraine attacks."
It might help to draw a comparison to epilepsy. It, too, is a recurrent neurological disorder. People with epilepsy have the disorder all the time, even when they're not actively having episodes. The goal for their medical care is to keep the disorder controlled to avoid episodes. These episodes can have different symptoms. Probably the most commonly thought of is a seizure with tremors. When an episode occurs, there are medications for treatment. There are also medications to try to avoid as many episodes as possible.
Such is the case with Migraine. The goal for our medical care is to prevent episodes. Migraine episodes can have different symptoms. The most commonly thought of symptom is headache, but some people have very vivid aura symptoms without the headache or other types of Migraine episodes.
Migraine is a true organic neurological disease. A Migraine is caused when a physiological (not psychological) trigger or triggers cause vasodilatation in the cranial blood vessels, which triggers nerve endings to release chemical substances called neurotransmitters, of which the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HTT) is an important factor in the development of Migraine.
Migraine is disease, a headache is only a symptom. Migraine pain is caused by vasodilation in the cranial blood vessels (expansion of the blood vessels), while headache pain is caused by vasoconstriction (narrowing of the blood vessels). During a migraine, inflammation of the tissue surrounding the brain, i.e., neurogenic inflammation, exacerbates the pain. Therefore, medicine often prescribed to treat a headache, such as beta-blockers, dilate the blood vessels and therefore can make a Migraine worse.
I've had this hugggge headache for the past 24 hours. I've think I may have had a seizure last night (but not sure), and I've tried Tylenol Extra Strength and Advil. Does anybody know which is better to use? Thanks.
Sam
Yes I don't remember Rebecca ever complaining of a headache before her first seizure. Now it seems to come with the seizure.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10595289&dopt=AbstractPlusThree of four patients who were refractory to management with antiepileptic drugs using either mono or combination therapy improved seizure control with combination antimigraine and antiepileptic drugs.
http://www.nutritioninstitute.com/10.htmlI have treated many people for headaches and migraines. I have found that the best solution is to avoid foods containing chemicals made by yeast and fungus which are toxic to the brain.
I am wondering if the onset of migraine could tug the seizure into discharging. They seem to be learning more and more about migraines.
Ah sugar... my young one at times has craved it. I hope to have curbed that, but I do know for a fact that it is sneaking into her diet when I don't expect it. The other thing I just can't seem to get into her head is that those caffinated drinks that the teens all seem to gravitate toward are evil to her brain. Perhaps the six seizures she has had this month will speak loud and clear... one would hope.