Many people are under the false impression that a migraine is just a bad headache. The reality is that migraines are considered a genetic disease, while headaches are a symptom of a wide spectrum of conditions. Migraines cause cranial blood vessels to dilate or expand, whereas headaches are actually caused by a tightening or constriction of cranial blood vessels. Medications typically administered to relieve a headache will actually make a migraine worse, because these medications serve to dilate blood vessels (something which is already happening in the case of a migraine).

Unlike a headache, a migraine is usually accompanied by other disturbing symptoms such as light and sound sensitivity, visual disturbances (such as auras, halos, tunnel vision, flashing lights), numbness, difficulty speaking, and severe debilitating head pain.  

Migraines can predispose you to other serious conditions, such as stroke, aneurysm, and permanent visual loss.  Migraine and epileptic seizure disorders are also interrelated. Migraines can trigger epileptic seizures, and they affect up to 15% of epileptics. Migraine and epilepsy are both disorders characterized by temporary changes in neurologic function, usually with normal neurologic examinations between episodes.

Additional Information about Migraines

1. Common symptoms of migraines
2. Common causes of migraines
3. Help me choose a natural and alternative treatment for migraines
4. Dietary and lifestyle recommendations that may help in the treatment of migraines
5. Conventional or prescription medications used in the treatment of migraines
6. Cited Sources and Additional Reading for migraines

---

Article ID: 191