A migraine is completely different and severe from a normal headache. Its main symptoms are severe pain that starts on one side of the head (Throbbing pain), along with nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. It can last from hours to days. Here are the 5 main scientific reasons behind migraines:
Chemical changes in the brain and serotonin (Neurochemical Changes): Our nervous system plays a major role in the occurrence of migraines. A sudden decrease in the amount of chemicals like serotonin in the brain causes vasodilation (widening of blood vessels in the brain), which puts excessive pressure on the surrounding nerves and causes severe pain.
Genetic causes and inheritance: One of the most important reasons for migraines is inheritance. If a parent or sibling has migraines in the family, the next generation is 50 to 70 percent more likely to have them. This is due to a mutation in certain genes.
Hormonal Fluctuation in Women: Migraines are three times more common in women than in men. The main reason for this is changes in the levels of the female hormone estrogen. Migraines can become severe in many people during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause.
Dietary Triggers: Certain foods and caffeine: Certain foods we eat can trigger migraines. Examples include cheese, chocolates, Chinese foods with artificial sweeteners, and bakery products. Excessive consumption of tea and coffee, or caffeine withdrawal, can also increase migraines.
Environmental changes and unhealthy lifestyle: Exposure to strong sunlight, lack of sleep or oversleeping, staring at the computer or mobile phone for a long time (digital eye strain), not eating on time (fasting), and strong smells of perfumes stimulate the nerves in the brain and cause migraine attacks.
