Migraines

TL;DR: A migraine is like a tempest that starts when the brain’s electrical circuits go wild, setting off alarms that launch chemical messengers and inflame pain pathways—leading to a blitz of head pain and sometimes peculiar ‘weather warnings’ before the storm hits

The Long Version:

Migraines are like a sudden “brain storm” where nerves and blood vessels in the head get overly excited, setting off a domino effect of electrical and chemical changes that lead to pain and other symptoms. The process goes like this: An electrical wave sweeps across the brain (“aura” for some people), triggers irritation of blood vessels and surrounding tissues, and releases substances like CGRP that make nerves super sensitive and cause those classic throbbing headaches. Think of it as the brain’s alarm system going haywire—a burst of energy and chemicals makes the head hurt, sometimes with warning flashes, odd sensations, or mood changes before the pain even starts.  

How Migraines Trigger Pain

• Brain nerves become too excitable, firing off a wave (like a ripple in a pond) that can temporarily scramble vision or sensations—this is the “aura” some people see or feel.  

• Trigeminal nerve activates, releasing chemicals that inflame and swell nearby blood vessels and tissue, signaling pain to the brain.  

• Release of CGRP and other chemicals causes blood vessels to widen and nerves to become even more sensitive, making the pain worse and lasting longer. 

Why It Feels That Way

• The pain is not actually from the brain itself, but from irritated coverings and blood vessels surrounding it, which the brain interprets as pain in the eyes, temples, or neck. 

• Other symptoms (like nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, or mood swings) are due to the whole brain’s networks being caught up in the stormy process, not just one spot.

A migraine is the result of a sensitive brain with jumpy nerves and fluctuating chemicals. If the brain gets too much excitement—from stress, hormones, foods, weather changes, bright lights, or missed sleep—it can sound the alarm, causing a migraine storm with pain, odd sensations, and mood changes. Some people inherit this weather-vane brain from family, while others simply have brains that like to overreact to their environment—so it’s a mix of nature and triggers stirring up the headache clouds! 

Main Causes

• Genetics: Many migraine sufferers have relatives with migraines, so the tendency runs in families. 

• Brain Chemicals: Levels of serotonin and CGRP (chemical messengers) change, triggering pain pathways and inflammation. 

• Triggers: Common triggers include hormone changes, stress, certain foods or additives, alcohol, caffeine, sensory overload (like bright lights or loud sounds), changes in sleep, and even the weather. 

These ingredients combine and, for some, make the storm clouds of a migraine more likely to gather.

Migraines are much more than just headaches—they bring a mix of symptoms that can come in different stages. Diagnosis is based on a careful review of these symptoms, not a specific test or scan. 

Migraine Symptoms

Migraines often go through four stages. Not everyone has all the stages, but many experience at least a few:

• Warning signs (Prodrome): Many people notice subtle signals about a day before the headache starts, like feeling tired, craving certain foods, mood changes, yawning a lot, neck stiffness, or needing to pee more. 

• Aura (if present): Roughly 1 in 3 people get auras—temporary changes like seeing zigzag lines, flashing lights, blind spots, feeling tingling in their face or hands, or having trouble speaking. These usually last less than an hour and may come before or with the headache. 

• The main headache (Attack): The pain is often throbbing and one-sided but can be on both sides. People may feel sick, vomit, and want to avoid light, sound, or smells. The pain often gets worse with movement and can last from a few hours up to three days. 

• Migraine “hangover” (Postdrome): After the pain fades, many feel drained, confused, or just “off” for a day or so. Some find that even normal things like shower water on the skin feel uncomfortable. 

How Migraines Are Diagnosed

• No single test for migraines. We will ask about symptoms, how often they happen, what the pain feels like, and what else happens during an attack. 

• Diagnosis is made if:

  • The headaches last 4–72 hours. 

  • Pain is usually on one side, throbbing, moderate or severe, and made worse by movement. 

  • There’s nausea, vomiting, or a strong dislike of light or sound during headaches.

Keeping a headache tracker can be really helpful. It allows your us to spot patterns in your symptoms, frequency, and possible triggers. This makes diagnosis more accurate — especially since there’s no specific test for migraines. Tracking details like when the pain starts, how long it lasts, what it feels like, and any other symptoms (like nausea or sensitivity to light) can also help shape a more personalized treatment plan.

Migraines don’t fight fair, but good news—there are lots of proven ways to push back, from classic meds all the way to cutting-edge science, plus natural boosters to help turn down the headache dial. 

What are the main options?

• Rescue When the Head Hurts:
  You can start with over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen for mild-to-moderate attacks—they’re the tried-and-true first line backed by strong research. If a migraine pushes things to “red alert,” triptans (aka the OG migraine-fighters) and sometimes anti-nausea meds can help shut down symptoms fast. 

• Prevention Power:
  If migraines strike often, daily preventive medicine may help. Choices include certain blood pressure pills (propranolol, metoprolol, atenolol), anti-seizure meds (topiramate), or some antidepressants (amitriptyline, nortriptyline, venlafaxine, duloxetine), all proven to reduce how often migraines hit and how mean they get. 

• The New Kids on the Block—CGRP Meds:
  Welcome CGRP blockers—superhero drugs that target a key migraine culprit, CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide). These can be injected or taken as pills and often work when older treatments fall short. If migraines just aren’t budging, ask about these innovative options by name: Ajovy, Aimovig, Emgality, Nurtec, Ubrelvy, Zavzpret, Qulipta, and Vyepti. 

• Natural Help: The Science-Backed Combo:
  Studies show that a daily “trio” of magnesium, vitamin B2 (riboflavin), and CoQ10 may help prevent attacks and dial down the pain. They're safe for most and easy to find over-the-counter.

• Lifestyle, Devices, and More:
  Healthy lifestyle habits can help manage migraines: aim for regular sleep (7–8 hours each night, same schedule every day), eat balanced meals without skipping, drink plenty of water, exercise moderately several times a week, and fit in daily stress-busting routines like relaxation or deep breathing—all while tracking symptoms and triggers to find patterns that work for you.

The Bottom Line

Migraine treatments have exploded in variety—old-school painkillers, triptans, powerful daily preventers, and the “new kids” (CGRP-blockers) all backed by solid research. The magnesium + B2 + CoQ10 combo gives natural prevention a science-supported boost. With so many choices, most people can mix and match to get relief that works for them.

These tools make managing migraines simpler and more effective—perfect for your symptom tracking and trigger tracking toolbox:

• Headache Diary

  A one-page, easy-fill diary to help you and your provider spot trends. Track the basics like when your headache starts and ends, its intensity (on a 1‑10 scale), related symptoms, triggers, medications (and dosage), and how well the treatment worked. This helps build a clearer picture of your migraine patterns.   

• Low-Tyramine Diet Guide

  Certain aged, stored, or fermented foods may trigger migraines for some people. This two-page guide shows you which foods to stick with, which to approach cautiously, and which to avoid—helping you fine-tune your diet and potentially reduce attack frequency.