What is a Vascular Migraine?
When you think of the word migraine, the first thing that comes to mind is a really bad headache. When you add the word ‘vascular’ to migraine, it sounds even more ominous. Vascular headaches are thought to be headaches caused by blood vessels functioning abnormally. A vascular migraine is included in the group called vascular headaches because it is a headache believed to be caused by vessel contractions. The vascular migraine is actually the most common type of vascular headache. (College, 2009) Today, a vascular migraine is not really considered just a problem of the blood vessels or vascular system of the brain, but a much more complex neurological problem. (Janssen-Cilag, 2009)
It is important to remember when thinking about a vascular migraine that the headache pain is only a symptom of a larger problem called migraine disorder. The headache a person has with migraine disorder always has other symptoms like sensitivity to light, seeing “sparklies”, nausea, vomiting, or a host of other symptoms. The term vascular is used because older research led doctors and scientists to believe that the pain of a vascular migraine came from the blood vessels in the head changing shape, that they were narrowing and widening. The changing of the vessels was actually believed be the only cause of the pain that a migraine sufferer felt when they had a headache. (Virginia, 2008) In one sense this is true, but there is much more to it than that.
There are really three different working theories concerning migraine headaches today. First, there is some research that deals with abnormal nerve activity. Second, other research concentrates on the idea of the sheath of the nerves becoming irritated by compounds such as nitrous oxide or phosphorous – but the most widely accepted theory is still the idea of the vascular contraction. During a vascular migraine headache, the arteries on the side of the head which is feeling the pain are enlarged along with additional activity in the brain stem. In the brain stem, research has documented an increased level of serotonin and calcitonin associated with vascular headache pain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter of the brain and calcitonin is a hormone used in the regulation and uptake of calcium and phosphorous in the body. There has been no real explanation found yet for the extra activity in the brain stem but this has been referred to as the “migraine generator” in some research. (Janssen-Cilag, 2009)
Current research on vascular migraines has doctors trying to answer the question “what causes the vessels to contract?” The information regarding vascular migraines today deals with the interplay of hormones and brain chemistry. It is thought that serotonin and estrogen levels play a pivotal role in the processes that cause vessels in the brain to contract. (Virginia, 2008) It has been discovered that if an excess of serotonin is released, it will cause blood vessels to contract. In this same manner, if a drastic change occurs in estrogen level, it can also trigger the blood vessels to contract. The contraction of blood vessels is what eventually leads to the pain of a vascular migraine. It is the vessel contractions that causes the sparkles, nausea, and vomiting that many vascular migraine sufferers report. (College, 2009)
Vascular migraines are the most common type of vascular headache but they are not the only type. Toxic headaches are also vascular in nature and the second most common type of vascular headache. These headaches can be caused by fever, allergies, pneumonia or any illness that causes an immune response in the body. Less common types of vascular headaches are a cluster headache which occurs on one side of the head and are caused by vascular contractions not associated with the migraine disorder. The headaches caused by a rise in blood pressure are also included in the vascular headache category. (Janssen-Cilag, 2009)
Vascular migraines used to be considered only vascular in nature, but recent research indicates that blood vessel changes are not the actual problem but that the changes in brain chemistry may be the actual culprit. It would seem to be more accurate with the research being conducted today to refer to vascular migraines as brain chemistry migraines or brain change migraines. With so many sufferers, the research into the area of vascular migraines continues.
Works Cited
College, W. C. (2009). Vascular Headaches and Migraines. Retrieved November 18th, 2009, from New York Presbyterian Hospital: http://nyp.org/health/vascular-headache migraine.html
Janssen-Cilag. (2009). Migrain Association of Ireland. Retrieved November 18, 2009, from Research and Studies: http://www.migraine.ie/index.php?id=310
Virginia, U. o. (2008). Vascular Headaches and Migraines. Retrieved November 18, 2009, from University of Virginia Health System: http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/toplevel/why-choose/overview/home.cfm
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See also: Getting Migraine Pain Relief
Filed Under Different Types of Migraines | 9 Comments
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9 Responses to “What is a Vascular Migraine?”
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I have had migraine headaches since the early 80′s. I was diagnosed with vascular migraines in ’88 or ’89. The problem is, the doctor took one look at me and told me that’s what I have. I’ve had some people tell me I have a red line that goes across my forehead and they say I need to take my medicine. Sometimes I can tell if I’m getting one by seeing spots before my eyes. I’ve been taking cafergot/ergotamine since the end of the ’80s. What can you assume from what I’ve given you in information? Is it a vascular migraine or something else? Thank you for your kind reply. Deborah
Deborah:
I suggest that you contact your doctor. Also, record the date, time, and duration of these attacks and write down how it impacts you (i.e., can’t see out of one eye, unable to concentrate, sensitivity to light, seeing spots, etc.). That’s valuable information for your doctor.
And don’t forget that migraine specialists deal with migraine patients on a daily basis and may provide further insight into your condition. Good luck and let us know how it works out!
i am paitent vascular headque, please sugest medicine.
I’ve been getting a tingling feeling in my head forming an arc from my temple to behind my ear on my right side.This often is followed by a watery right eye.it seems to occur when I either turn my head to the right or look down and come back up.I do have some pain in by right shoulder blade near the spine.
I was told I it may be vascular migraines by a specialist .I don’t really have a headache and it comes and goes quickly.Can anyone offer advice?
CK, please get a ct scan if you have not had one. In 1991 I had been under a great deal of stres and had been having a strnge feeling on the left side of the top of my head. It felt as if my head and that area of my head was going numb like when you hand goes numb and tinglie. 4/10/91, I had a really bad headache and thought nothing of it until I past out at church. When I went to the hospital I found out that I had a brain anuryism. I had no warning other then the tinglie feeling in my head. Please press the issue with your dr.
hi,
for the past three years i’ve been feeling pressure on the top of my head .sometimes the pressure is so great ,it is like a knife is being pushed through,also asense of liquid moving about on one side ,also a burning sensation.2 years back i was diagonised with meniere;s disease.now i suffer fromlack of sleep due to the fact that every time i close my eyes something happens in my head.it’s like sudden contractions that jolt me awake.the doc says its vaascular migrane.he has given me a medicine ,trptomer and there is some relief.is there a full cure?
I have distorted vision in my right eye, my dr. said it is a vaascular migrane. What can be done for it? I get so sick to my stomack. I really need help. Thanks
sir,im suffering head ache from my backside…im getting the feeling of muscles which begin to cramp…its unbearable…i consulted my dco ..he told me its vscular migrane….can u do suggest me medicine>?
I had a bad headache on the right side of my head,it was causeing my eye lid to start drooping.I was haveing a few stroke symptoms,drooping of the right side of my face and a very painful headache,they told me it was a Vascular migraine,was it?