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Why
You Get Migraines
Dilation
of Blood Vessels
Migraine
headaches are primarily caused by excessive
dilation of blood vessels in the head.
15-20% of men and 25-30% of women suffer with
migraine headaches. Many migraines come without
warning and some start with a visual "aura"
before the onset of pain which can also include
blurring or bright spots in the vision, anxiety,
fatigue, disturbed thinking, and numbness
or tingling on one side of the body. Migraine
pain occurs when the blood vessels and muscles
lining the brain and scalp becomes stretched
or tensed. Migraine headaches seem to be connected
to the instability of blood vessels in the
brain and to a reduction in blood flow during
a migraine attack. Research studies also indicate
that the control of blood vessel constriction
and dilation is impaired in some migraine
sufferers.
Additionally,
the platelets of migraine sufferers are different
from normal platelets both during and between
migraine attacks. Platelets are small blood
cells that clump together to form blood clots.
The difference between platelets results in
migraine sufferers having a significant increase
in spontaneous clumping together of the platelets
as well as in a reduction in the release of
a chemical called serotonin.
Continue reading about this...
Serotonin
Serotonin
aids in the chemical transfer of information
from one cell to another. More importantly
for migraine sufferers, serotonin also plays
a major role in the relaxation and constriction
of blood vessels. All of the serotonin in
the blood is stored in the platelets and is
released by platelet aggregation. This release
in migraine sufferers appears to result in
a serotonin deficiency. These low serotonin
levels are thought to lead to a decrease in
the pain threshold of these patients. This
concept is strongly supported by 35 years
of research, including positive clinical results
in double blind studies with the serotonin
precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). These
and other studies show that increasing serotonin
levels in the platelets leads to relief from
chronic migraine headaches.
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Food
Allergies
Food
allergies also play a major role in migraine
headaches. Foods such as chocolate, cheese,
beer, red wine, and prescription medication
can trigger migraine attacks in many people.
These attacks have been linked to histamine
and other compounds, which can trigger blood
vessels to expand creating that pounding throbbing
sensation.
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Other
Migraine Triggers Include:
low
serotonin levels
genetics
shunting of the chemical tryptophan into
other pathways
histamine-releasing foods
histamine-containing foods
alcohol (especially red wine)
nitrates
MSG
withdrawal from caffeine
drugs that constrict blood vessels
stress
emotional and hormonal changes (menstruation,
birth control pills, anger, and ovulation)
exhaustion
muscle tension
the weather
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Illness
Headaches often are a symptom of other illness. Viral infection, strep throat, allergies, sinus infection, and urinary tract infections can be accompanied by headaches. Fever may also be associated with headaches.
Skipping meals
Even when trying to lose weight, you still need to eat regularly. Fad diets and irregular eating can make you hungry and give you a headache. Not getting enough fluids, especially on hot days or with increased exercise, can lead to dehydration and cause a headache.
Drugs
Alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, diet pills, and other drugs may cause you to have headaches.
Other Causes
Often headaches are triggered by sleep problems, minor head injuries, or certain foods (chocolate, processed meats, aged cheese, MSG, red wine, dairy products as outlined above). Caffeine intake, especially a sudden decrease in caffeine, can cause a headache.
Sometimes, headaches can also be caused by prescribed medication, such as birth control pills, or tetracycline, often used for acne. Less commonly, headaches can be caused by a dental infection or abscess, and jaw alignment problems (TMJ). Although headaches are only rarely caused by eye problems, pain around the eyes--which can feel like a headache--can be caused by eye muscle imbalance or not wearing glasses that have been prescribed for you. Only in very rare cases are headaches a symptom of a brain tumor, high blood pressure or other serious problem.
How
to Stop Migraines
5-HTP
 5-Hydoxytryptophan
(5-HTP) is an amino acid that occurs in the
body and is an immediate precursor to the
body manufacturing its own serotonin. 5-HTP
is widely distributed in the body with the
highest activity in the gut wall and liver.
Here's what happens chemically in the body
in the process of creating serotonin. First
tryptophan is hydroxylated to 5-HTP then to
decarboxylase and finally to serotonin. The
effects of
5-HTP
on the serotonin system is extremely complex
because there are multiple types of serotonin
receptors.
The
research shows 5-HTP is more effective over
time with results increasing after 30 days
of use. The role of 5-HTP also increases endorphin
levels, which is the body’s own pain relieving
and mood elevating substances. See Swanson 5-HTP Research shows
endorphins are low in migraine sufferers.
5-HTP is at least as effective as other pharmacological
agents used in migraine prevention but is
safer and better tolerated. In clinical trials
between 200-600 mg/day has been used to prevent
and reduce the severity of migraines. 5-HTP
also needs vitamin B6, niacin, and magnesium
to help it convert to serotonin.
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Vitamin
B6
Vitamin
B6 (Pyridoxine) is involved in the production
of the neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin
and histamine. B6 works to prevent and treat
migraines because of its role in histamine
function. The activity of the enzyme diamine
oxidase breaks down histamine in the lining
of the small intestine before it is absorbed
into the circulation. Individuals sensitive
to dietary histamine have about one-half as
much diamine oxidase in their tissues. Diamine
oxidase is a vitamin B6 dependent enzyme.
Therefore compounds that inhibit B6 also inhibit
the production of diamine oxidase.
Food
coloring agents like FD&C yellow #5, birth
control pills, alcohol, and excessive protein
intake are some of the things that inhibit
B6 production. Most people take in more B6
blockers than B6 itself. B6 supplementation
has been shown to relieve histamine-induced
headaches presumably by increasing diamine
oxidase activity. Vitamin B6 works with magnesium
in many enzyme systems and assists in the
body’s accumulation of magnesium.
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Vitamin
B2
Migraine
headaches have also been linked to a reduction
of energy production in the blood vessels
of the brain. B2 (Riboflavin) is water soluble
and essential to tissue respiration and generation
of energy metabolism from carbohydrates, proteins,
and fats. Recent studies show that it is helpful
in the treatment of migraines. Migraines can
also occur because of a reduction of energy
in the mitochondria and B2 can help increase
energy production and efficiency in this area.
B2 is also vital to the conversion of tryptophan
to B3.
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Vitamin
B3
B3
(Niacin) is water soluble and crucial to about
50 different reactions in the body. It is
instrumental in the release of energy from
carbohydrates, proper central nervous system
function, fat and cholesterol metabolism,
and the regulation of blood sugar levels.
Fifty percent of the niacin in the body comes
from the conversion of the amino acid tryptophan.
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Vitamin
B5
Vitamin
B5 (Pantothenic) acid is known as the anti-stress
vitamin and helps with the metabolism of fats,
carbohydrates and proteins for energy. It
helps counteract stress by making cortisone
and other adrenal hormones that counteract
stress. B5 is needed for proper adrenal cortex
function.
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Vitamin
B9
Low
Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid) intakes have been
linked to headaches. It has been used to treat
depression, headaches, and inflammation. Folic
acid and niacin need each other to function
correctly in the body.
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Magnesium
Low
magnesium levels play a significant role in
many cases of migraine headaches. Low brain
and tissue magnesium concentrations have been
found in patients with migraines indicating
the need for supplementation since magnesium’s
key function is to maintain the tone of the
blood vessels and prevent the over-excitability
of nerve cells.
Another
possible benefit of magnesium is its
documented ability
to improve mitral valve prolaspe (a
heart disorder) that damages
blood platelets causing them to release excess
histamine, platelet-activating factor, and
serotonin.
Magnesium has also been widely
used to treat food-allergy-induced migraines.
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Feverfew
Feverfew
literally means fever reducing. Feverfew works
to treat and prevent migraines by inhibiting
the release of blood vessel dilating-substances
from platelets, inhibiting the production
of inflammatory substances, and reestablishing
proper blood vessel tone.
The effectiveness
of feverfew is dependent upon adequate levels
of parthenolide. Parthenolide helps prevent
migraines and lessen the severity of existing
migraines by making smooth muscle in the walls
of cerebral blood vessels less reactive to
vasoconstrictors.
It blocks the release of
serotonin from blood vessels and prevents
platelets from over-aggregating. It also inhibits
the release of compounds from the cells that
cause inflammation.
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Ginger
Ginger
has been shown to significantly reduce the
effects of migraines by reducing inflammation
and platelet aggregation. High doses of ginger
have also been found to significantly reduce
migraine intensity. It plays a role as a circulatory
stimulant, peripheral vasodilator, and antispasmodic.
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Ginkgo
Biloba
Ginkgo
Biloba is an antioxidant known for its ability
to improve circulation throughout the body
but especially in the brain. It helps to inhibit
platelet aggregation. Ginkgo, which is partially
composed ginkgoflavoneglycosides, helps dilate
blood vessels, which increases blood flow.
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References
F.C.
Rose, "The pathogenesis of a Migraine
Attack," TINS 6 (1983): 247.
R.S. Blacklow, MacBrydes Signs and Symptoms,
6th ed. (New York: J.B. Lippincott,
1983), 64-8.
K.M.A. Welch, "Migraine: A Biobehavioral
Disorder," Arch Neurol 44 (1987):323-7.
M.D. Ferrari et al., "Serotonin Metabolism
in Migraine," Neurology 33 (1989):1239-42.
R.C. Peatfeild, &qot;Relationship Between
Food, Wine, and Beer-Precipitated Headaches,"
Headache 35 (1995):355-7
T.R. Vaughn, "The Role of Food in the
Pathogenesis of Migraine Headache." Clin
Rev Allergy 12 (1994):167-80
P.M. Martner Hewes et al., Vitamin B6 Nutriture
and Plasma Diamine Oxidase Activity in Pregnant
Hispanic Teenagers," Am J Clin Nutr
44 (1988): 236-40
I. Fettes et al, "Endophine Levels in
Headache Syndromes," Headache 25
(1984):37-9
F.Titus et al., "5-Hydroxytryptophan
Versus Methysergide in the Prophylaxis of
Migraine: Randomized Clinical Trial,"
Eur Neurol 25 (1986):327-9
G. Longo et al., "Treatment of Essential
Headache in Developmental Age with L-5-http
(Crossover Double Blind Study versus Placebo),"
Pediatr Med Chir 6 (1984):241-5
D.R. Swanson, "Migraine and Magnesium:
Eleven Neglected Connections," Perspect
Biol Med 31 (1988): 526-57
S. Heptinstall et al., "Parthenolide
Content and Bioactivity of Feverfew (Tanacetum
parthenium (L.) Schultz-Bip.). Estimation
of Commercial and Authenticated Feverfew Products,"
J Pharm Pharmacol 44 (1992):391-5.
T. Mustafa and K.C. Srivastava, "Ginger
(Zingiber officinale) in Migraine Headaches,"
J Ethnopharmacol 29 (1990): 267-73
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