Migraine Causes
Read more about Migraine Causes
Although much about headaches still isn't understood presented in simple
easy to understand language
Causes of Migraine
Although much about headaches still isn't understood, some researchers think migraines may be caused by functional changes in the trigeminal nerve system, a major pain pathway in your nervous system, and by imbalances in brain chemicals, including serotonin, which regulates pain messages going through this pathway.
During a headache, serotonin levels drop. Researchers believe this causes the trigeminal nerve to release substances called neuropeptides, which travel to your brain's outer covering. There they cause blood vessels to become dilated and inflamed. The result is headache pain.
Because levels of magnesium, a mineral involved in nerve cell function, also drop right before or during a migraine headache, it's possible that low amounts of magnesium may cause nerve cells in the brain to misfire.
Migraine Headache Triggers
Whatever the exact mechanism of headaches, a number of things may trigger them. Common migraine headache triggers include:
Hormonal changes
Stress
Physical factors
Changes in the environment
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