Jamaica Tales

Migraines: Causes and triggers Migraines are headaches that cause severe, throbbing pain, along with nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light or sound. Migraine headaches usually last for between four (4) and seventy-two (72) hours. Many people experience symptoms, called " auras ," before their migraine starts that signal one is coming on. What causes a migraine? Though tests are inconclusive most researchers believe that migraines are due to an imbalance of hormones and chemicals produced in the brain. When the levels of these hormones or chemicals increase they lead to inflammation. This inflammation then causes the blood vessels in the brain to swell and press on nearby nerves, causing pain . Persons with migraines can usually tell when when an attack is coming on and can identify what is called triggers that cause migraine pain.

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is a highly selective semipermeable border that separates the circulating blood from the brain and extracellular fluid in the central nervous system (CNS). The blood–brain barrier restricts the passage of pathogens, the diffusion of solutes in the blood, and large or hydrophilic molecules into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), while allowing the diffusion of hydrophobic molecules (O2, CO2, hormones) and small polar molecules. Cells of the barrier actively transport metabolic products such as glucose across the barrier using specific transport proteins. --------------------- References: Wikipedia . Blood-brain barrier. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood-brain_barrier Image brain c ourtesy of 123RF.com

Auras are warning signs the body gives a sufferer of migraine headaches just before a migraine attack begins. A bout twenty per cent (20%) of people who suffer from migraine headaches will have an aura about 20 minutes to an hour before the pain. Migraine auras usually occurs within an hour before head pain begins and generally lasts less than 60 minutes. Sometimes migraine aura occurs with little or no headache, especially in people age 50 and older. They may see flashing lights, wavy lines, or dots, or they may have blurry vision or blind spots; even tingling in the hand or face. These are called "classic migraine headaches." - ----------------------------------------- References WebMD. A slideshow guide to migraine headaches . "Migraine with Aura." https://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/ss/slideshow-migraine-overview Mayo Clinic. Migraine with Aura. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/migraine-with-aura/symptoms-causes/syc-20352072