headaches and migraines?

[jillio]

Dehydration is a big migraine trigger, so no wonder drinking water helps

Fuzzy

Dehydration can trigger a severe headache. That, infact, is one of the symptoms of dehydration. However, it will not trigger a migraine. A migraine is not just a severe headache, but a neurological disorder. Unless one is predisposed to migraines, nothing will trigger one. The reason that drinking water helps with migraine is because the blood vessels in the brain constrict, and increased water helps to dilate them.

 

[jillio]

Of course I have, looks like you don't. What information do you want me support with links, please? I'll be too happy to provide links.

Links stating that migraine cannot be caused by lesions in the brain. Please accoutn for the number of traumatic brain injury patients that develop migraine following injury.
Show me any link, any article that supports your opinion that brain lesions cause migraine disease.
What do you think the term "nerological means, Fuzzy?
The trigger starts the chain reaction that leds to migraine episode = head pain, nausea/vomiting, tremors, cold sweats, fast heartbeat, etc., even seizures and blackout in severe cases.

Does one have migraine without symptoms? ABSOLUTELY. Migraine is neurological disease with many symptoms, headache is only one of them and does not have to be present, and like in epilepsy the temporary absence of symptoms does not mean you don't have migraine. One have migraine all the time, but not neccessarily symptoms.

Of course one has a predisposition to develop migranie symptoms based on the neurological condition, i.e neurological abnormality. However, the sysmptoms do not become manifest without the trigger. Therefore, one is consdered symptom free. Unless one has symptoms, the disorder does not interfere with functioning. Likewise, when symptoms have not recurred for a year, one is considered to be free of migraines.

What "other hormonal changes" do you have in mind? be specific, because when you say "hormonal migraine" it usually reffers to the "menstrual migraine" that occurs only during menstruation and, yes, sometimes ovulation, but never at any other time,
and is related to natural changes in estrogen and progesteron levels that happen during monthly cycle.

Serotonin and norepinephrine are not hormones, Fuzzy. They are neurotransmitters, Hormonal migraine can also be diagnosed in men, and they don;t have periods, now, do they. You figure it out. You seem to think you are the expert here. I've already named another hormone in a previous post. Guess you didn't see it. Here's a clue for you so you can do a Google search. Male sex hormone. The estrogen and progestin that you speak of are only hormonal factors in females with hormonal migraine. That is why I said gender differences in previous posts.
If you have in mind also serotonin and norepinerphine and other hormones those are not exclusive to menstruation, (although serotonin is thought to uniquely react with female hormones which is one of the causes that more women than men suffer with migraines). bu like I've said it is not exclusive to menstrual cycle headaches.

Once again, epinephrine, and norepinephrine are not hormones. They are neurotransmitters.

There is of course HRT linked to migraines, BC pills are linked to migraine, even 'thyroid' is linked to migraine but so is many other things like PFO, MVP, some autoimmune diseases, depression, bi-polar disorder, but that does not mean these "cause" migraine. usually these conditions are co-morbid.

You are using some terms here that you quite likely do not understand. Can you tell me how BC pills are linked to migraine, or how HRT is linked to migraine, or the meaning of comorbidity?

 

[Audiofuzzy]

Of course I have, looks like you don't. What information do you want me support with links, please? I'll be too happy to provide links.

Links stating that migraine cannot be caused by lesions in the brain. Please accoutn for the number of traumatic brain injury patients that develop migraine following injury.
Show me any link, any article that supports your opinion that brain lesions cause migraine disease.
What do you think the term "nerological means, Fuzzy?
The trigger starts the chain reaction that leds to migraine episode = head pain, nausea/vomiting, tremors, cold sweats, fast heartbeat, etc., even seizures and blackout in severe cases.

Does one have migraine without symptoms? ABSOLUTELY. Migraine is neurological disease with many symptoms, headache is only one of them and does not have to be present, and like in epilepsy the temporary absence of symptoms does not mean you don't have migraine. One have migraine all the time, but not neccessarily symptoms.

Of course one has a predisposition to develop migranie symptoms based on the neurological condition, i.e neurological abnormality. However, the sysmptoms do not become manifest without the trigger. Therefore, one is consdered symptom free. Unless one has symptoms, the disorder does not interfere with functioning. Likewise, when symptoms have not recurred for a year, one is considered to be free of migraines.

What "other hormonal changes" do you have in mind? be specific, because when you say "hormonal migraine" it usually reffers to the "menstrual migraine" that occurs only during menstruation and, yes, sometimes ovulation, but never at any other time,
and is related to natural changes in estrogen and progesteron levels that happen during monthly cycle.

Serotonin and norepinephrine are not hormones, Fuzzy. They are neurotransmitters, Hormonal migraine can also be diagnosed in men, and they don;t have periods, now, do they. You figure it out. You seem to think you are the expert here. I've already named another hormone in a previous post. Guess you didn't see it. Here's a clue for you so you can do a Google search. Male sex hormone. The estrogen and progestin that you speak of are only hormonal factors in females with hormonal migraine. That is why I said gender differences in previous posts.
If you have in mind also serotonin and norepinerphine and other hormones those are not exclusive to menstruation, (although serotonin is thought to uniquely react with female hormones which is one of the causes that more women than men suffer with migraines). bu like I've said it is not exclusive to menstrual cycle headaches.

Once again, epinephrine, and norepinephrine are not hormones. They are neurotransmitters.

There is of course HRT linked to migraines, BC pills are linked to migraine, even 'thyroid' is linked to migraine but so is many other things like PFO, MVP, some autoimmune diseases, depression, bi-polar disorder, but that does not mean these "cause" migraine. usually these conditions are co-morbid.

You are using some terms here that you quite likely do not understand. Can you tell me how BC pills are linked to migraine, or how HRT is linked to migraine, or the meaning of comorbidity?

Jillio just don't don't bother because you are only emabrrasing yourself -- you attempted to tackle something you obviously are not even remotely familiar with.
Don't forget I suffer from severe migraines, and in the course of my disease I learned a thing or two about them, whereas your knowledge is just something you obviously quickly googled over lately - hence your big faux pas on the "lesion cause migraines".




Remember, if you attempt to claim something publicly you must be prepared to support it with links or articles.

I am not stupid, I know what are you doing- you are sinking, and you are trying to turn the table over now lol, - no can do jose, YOU claimed "some migraines are caused by lesions" - LINKS supporting your claim, please. It's YOUR RESPONSIBILTY to support your own words, not mine.
Fess up, now.

Fuzzy

 

[Audiofuzzy]

Dehydration can trigger a severe headache. That, infact, is one of the symptoms of dehydration. However, it will not trigger a migraine. A migraine is not just a severe headache, but a neurological disorder. Unless one is predisposed to migraines, nothing will trigger one. The reason that drinking water helps with migraine is because the blood vessels in the brain constrict, and increased water helps to dilate them.

What in the world are you blathering about? That's what happens when frauds try to sound knowledgeable (or merely intelligent). Not only you talk in circles, you talk nonsene.

Show me links supporting your claim that drinking water helps to dilate blood vessels in the brain.

The reason that drinking water helps with migraine is because the blood vessels in the brain constrict, and increased water helps to dilate them.

Migraine is caused by WIDENING of blood vessels. That means dilatation. get your facts straight.
And dehydration will most certainly trigger migraine episode in a migraneur. Nobody claims otherwise. You are now trying to be smarter than yourself.

Fuzzy

 

[CutePommie]

Oh come on quit acting like Cranky old lady Fuzzy.

Did you know there are the foods could trigger off the migraine... no need to ask me for give you links. Because i have seen my families and friend had gone through now they are better And i do not want to keep go on from there till ya quit acting as Cranky old lady..

 

[jillio]

Jillio just don't don't bother because you are only emabrrasing yourself -- you attempted to tackle something you obviously are not even remotely familiar with.

No, Fuzzy, obviously, I am embarrassing you, as you are unable to answer the questions posed to you and have resorted to your usual diversionary tactics to try to place the focus elsewher to distract everyone fromthe fact that you can't provide an answer.
Don't forget I suffer from severe migraines, and in the course of my disease I learned a thing or two about them,
Yeah? You're deaf, too, but your knowledge about that seems to be lacking. Knowing your diagnosis doesn't make you capable of understanding the implications.
whereas your knowledge is just something you obviously quickly googled over lately - hence your big faux pas on the "lesion cause migraines".

Sorry, sweetie, but I don't use Google for research of any type. And lesions being one of the etiologies of migraine is not a faux pas. The faux pas came in when you stated that was an error. As of yet, you have been unable to support your claim that I am in error. And given your record of posting innaccurate information, I'd be careful if I were you.




Remember, if you attempt to claim something publicly you must be prepared to support it with links or articles.

It would be wonderful if you were aqble to follow your own advise. I already told you to consult with a medical text or a neurologist. That is support in and of itself. You, on the other hand, have not been able to disprove my assertion.
I am not stupid, I know what are you doing- you are sinking, and you are trying to turn the table over now lol, - no can do jose, YOU claimed "some migraines are caused by lesions" - LINKS supporting your claim, please. It's YOUR RESPONSIBILTY to support your own words, not mine.

As I said, Fuzzy, consult a medical text or a neurologist. Ot, to make it even easier, try the Merck Manual.
Fess up, now.
Are you ready to fess up to the errors you have made in your posts? Lets start with you post identifying serotonin and norepinephrine as hormones.

 

[jillio]

What in the world are you blathering about? That's what happens when frauds try to sound knowledgeable (or merely intelligent). Not only you talk in circles, you talk nonsene.

Show me links supporting your claim that drinking water helps to dilate blood vessels in the brain.[/
Migraine is caused by WIDENING of blood vessels. That means dilatation. get your facts straight.
And dehydration will most certainly trigger migraine episode in a migraneur. Nobody claims otherwise. You are now trying to be smarter than yourself.

Fuzzy

Dehydration triggers severe headache in anyone who experiences dehydration, fuzzy. The severe headache that accompanies dehydration is not a symptom of the dehydration. It is not a migraine. And jsut because someone who is susceptible to migraines suffers a headache does not mean that it is automatically a migraine attack. People who have been diagnosed with migraine experience other types of headache as well.

I am well aware that it is dilation f the blood vessels that accompanies migraine. But dehydration causes constriction, and that is why water intake relieves the severe headache that accompanies dehydration. You are assuming that every severe headache is a symptom of migraine and that is an incorrect assumption. Once again,. you are claiming a desire to get correct inforamtion out there, but the inforamtion you are posting contains errors that mislead.

 

[jillio]

Oh come on quit acting like Cranky old lady Fuzzy.

Did you know there are the foods could trigger off the migraine... no need to ask me for give you links. Because i have seen my families and friend had gone through now they are better And i do not want to keep go on from there till ya quit acting as Cranky old lady..

Absolutely. Chocolate is a common trigger, as is peanut butter and red wine. MSG is another common culprit.

 

[Audiofuzzy]

Serotonin is not only a neurotransmitter:

Serotonin definition - Depression Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments Including Clinical and Manic Depression on MedicineNet.com

and so is norepineprhine:

What Is Norepinephrine?

and Jillio :
WHERE IS YOUR LINK SUPPORTING LESIONS CAUSE MIGRAINE?
Come on, fess up?


Fuzzy

 

[Audiofuzzy]

Oh come on quit acting like Cranky old lady Fuzzy.

Did you know there are the foods could trigger off the migraine... no need to ask me for give you links. Because i have seen my families and friend had gone through now they are better And i do not want to keep go on from there till ya quit acting as Cranky old lady..

Are you serious?
do you think someone who suffers from migraine for years wouldn't know such a basic stuff?
not only I know what foods may trigger migraine episodes, I can list you about ten times more what jillio have posted.

Did YOU know that not everyone with migraine respond the same way to food triggers? any trigger, for that matter.
For example chocolate may not trigger migraine for me but it can for you.
Did you know that it also matters HOW MUCH of a possible migraine triggering food you have - you may not get migraine episode from half a tomato but you can get it from eating the whole one. Did you know that food coloring red#5 can trigger migraine? did you know that watermelon contains natural hormone and histamine and that may trigger migraine?
Did you know that sometimes it takes a combination of two or more triggers to start a migraine? for example just eating a little square piece of chocolate may not have caused you an episode, but you were also exposed to strong light and the two together were too much for you.

I KNOW everything about migraine. I could help you A LOT with managing migraine but.. as you wish
buh-bye


Fuzzy

 

[jillio]

Serotonin is not only a neurotransmitter:

Serotonin definition - Depression Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments Including Clinical and Manic Depression on MedicineNet.com

and so is norepineprhine:

What Is Norepinephrine?

and Jillio :
WHERE IS YOUR LINK SUPPORTING LESIONS CAUSE MIGRAINE?
Come on, fess up?

As I told you Fuzzy, I don't use Google as my source of information. I use accepted academic sources. And I have referred you to those. It is not my problem if you don't know how to use a library.

And I am well aware of what serotonin is. It is a nuerotransmitter. It can't be two things at once. It is not a hormone. It is a chemical produced in the brain. Hormones, such as estrogen, progeston, and testosterone are not produced in the brain, but by the reproductive organs. You need to get your information straight.

And, in answer to the question you have yelled, I gave you the location of the information. What part of my answer don't you understand?

 

[jillio]

Are you serious?
do you think someone who suffers from migraine for years wouldn't know such a basic stuff?

You have gone past the basics with your claims and have started making incorrect posts regarding neurological and medical informationt hat you obviously do not understand fully. And yes, it is possible for someone to have a diagnosis, know what the diagnosis is, and still not understand the information necessary to make the claims that you are attempting to make.
not only I know what foods may trigger migraine episodes, I can list you about ten times more what jillio have posted.

No where did I say my list was complete. I said they were the most common triggers in the food category. Are you having difficulty understanding again or are you simply being your usual obstinate self?

Did YOU know that not everyone with migraine respond the same way to food triggers? any trigger, for that matter.

Of course everyone understands that. That is why there are differences in triggers and differences in gender and differences in etiology and onset.
For example chocolate may not trigger migraine for me but it can for you.
Did you know that it also matters HOW MUCH of a possible migraine triggering food you have - you may not get migraine episode from half a tomato but you can get it from eating the whole one. Did you know that food coloring red#5 can trigger migraine? did you know that watermelon contains natural hormone and histamine and that may trigger migraine?
Did you know that sometimes it takes a combination of two or more triggers to start a migraine? for example just eating a little square piece of chocolate may not have caused you an episode, but you were also exposed to strong light and the two together were too much for you.

I KNOW everything about migraine. I could help you A LOT with managing migraine but.. as you wish

Wow! That is a really pompus statement. I doubt seriously that you know everything about migraine, because the medical professionals will not even say that they know EVERYTHING about migraine. and quite obviously, they know much more than you. But I guess I shouldn't be surprised at that statement because it is typical of you to believe that you know more than you really do about anything.

 

[shel90]

Are you serious?
do you think someone who suffers from migraine for years wouldn't know such a basic stuff?

You have gone past the basics with your claims and have started making incorrect posts regarding neurological and medical informationt hat you obviously do not understand fully. And yes, it is possible for someone to have a diagnosis, know what the diagnosis is, and still not understand the information necessary to make the claims that you are attempting to make.
not only I know what foods may trigger migraine episodes, I can list you about ten times more what jillio have posted.

No where did I say my list was complete. I said they were the most common triggers in the food category. Are you having difficulty understanding again or are you simply being your usual obstinate self?

Did YOU know that not everyone with migraine respond the same way to food triggers? any trigger, for that matter.

Of course everyone understands that. That is why there are differences in triggers and differences in gender and differences in etiology and onset.
For example chocolate may not trigger migraine for me but it can for you.
Did you know that it also matters HOW MUCH of a possible migraine triggering food you have - you may not get migraine episode from half a tomato but you can get it from eating the whole one. Did you know that food coloring red#5 can trigger migraine? did you know that watermelon contains natural hormone and histamine and that may trigger migraine?
Did you know that sometimes it takes a combination of two or more triggers to start a migraine? for example just eating a little square piece of chocolate may not have caused you an episode, but you were also exposed to strong light and the two together were too much for you.

I KNOW everything about migraine. I could help you A LOT with managing migraine but.. as you wish

Wow! That is a really pompus statement. I doubt seriously that you know everything about migraine, because the medical professionals will not even say that they know EVERYTHING about migraine. and quite obviously, they know much more than you. But I guess I shouldn't be surprised at that statement because it is typical of you to believe that you know more than you really do about anything.

When I was suffering from migraines daily during the first month and half back at work, I saw my dr a few times. I did ask him what was causing them and he asked me several questions about my sleeping habits, diet, daily routine and other stuff. He said he cant give me a definite reason for the cause and he even stated that there are still some more research being done on migraines.

 

[jillio]

When I was suffering from migraines daily during the first month and half back at work, I saw my dr a few times. I did ask him what was causing them and he asked me several questions about my sleeping habits, diet, daily routine and other stuff. He said he cant give me a definite reason for the cause and he even stated that there are still some more research being done on migraines.

Exactly. They know that there are correlations between some triggers and the experience of migraines, but the knowledge is not complete even in the medical field. So Fuzzy's claim that she knows everything about migraines is ridiculas.

 

[Audiofuzzy]

Dehydration triggers severe headache in anyone who experiences dehydration, fuzzy. The severe headache that accompanies dehydration is not a symptom of the dehydration. It is not a migraine. And jsut because someone who is susceptible to migraines suffers a headache does not mean that it is automatically a migraine attack. People who have been diagnosed with migraine experience other types of headache as well.

I am well aware that it is dilation f the blood vessels that accompanies migraine. But dehydration causes constriction, and that is why water intake relieves the severe headache that accompanies dehydration. You are assuming that every severe headache is a symptom of migraine and that is an incorrect assumption. Once again,. you are claiming a desire to get correct inforamtion out there, but the inforamtion you are posting contains errors that mislead.

You are thrashing and contradicting yourself now:

first:

The reason that drinking water helps with migraine is because the blood vessels in the brain constrict, and increased water helps to dilate them.

now:

But dehydration causes constriction, and that is why water intake relieves the severe headache that accompanies dehydration.

... no you weren't aware of the fact that it's DILATATION that causes migraine pain, and it shows. btw that makes you a....

Widening of the blood vessels and them pressing on the nerves in the brain - this is WHAT causes migraine pain,

constricting of the blood vessels is what brings relief - and that is how the newest line of the most effective abortive medication - called TRIPTANS - work - by CONSTRICTING the blood vessels. The narrowing part does not cause pain, although it is part of chain reaction in migraine. During narrowing for example an migraine aura is experienced, and sometimes it ends at that - the pain does not follow.

During a migraine the blood vessels in your head swell and press on nearby pain receptors.

What causes migraine?
One theory about the cause of migraine is the blood flow theory, which focuses on blood vessel activity in the brain. Blood vessels either narrow or expand. Narrowing can constrict blood flow, causing problems with sight or dizziness. When the blood vessels expand, they press on nerves nearby, which causes pain.

from 'Women's Health' online


Of course the vascular theory is not the only one about pathophysiology of migraine, but it's part of it.

I wouldn't give damn about your lack of knowledge about migraines and what causes them, but you are misinforming and confusing innocent, naive pple here, who unfortunately believe in you, but you only care about "looking smart", not them.

And this is what Merck's Manual says about BC pills, what I was remarking about earlier:

Oral contraceptives and other hormone therapy occasionally trigger or worsen migraine and have been associated with stroke in women who have migraine with aura.

because oral contraceptives are homones, as they HRTherapies.


Fuzzy

 

[shel90]

You are thrashing and contradicting yourself now:

first:



now:



... no you weren't aware of the fact that it's DILATATION that causes migraine pain, and it shows. btw that makes you a....

Widening of the blood vessels and them pressing on the nerves in the brain - this is WHAT causes migraine pain,

constricting of the blood vessels is what brings relief - and that is how the newest line of the most effective abortive medication - called TRIPTANS - work - by CONSTRICTING the blood vessels. The narrowing part does not cause pain, although it is part of chain reaction in migraine. During narrowing for example an migraine aura is experienced, and sometimes it ends at that - the pain does not follow.




What causes migraine?
One theory about the cause of migraine is the blood flow theory, which focuses on blood vessel activity in the brain. Blood vessels either narrow or expand. Narrowing can constrict blood flow, causing problems with sight or dizziness. When the blood vessels expand, they press on nerves nearby, which causes pain.

from 'Women's Health' online


Of course the vascular theory is not the only one about pathophysiology of migraine, but it's part of it.

I wouldn't give damn about your lack of knowledge about migraines and what causes them, but you are misinforming and confusing innocent, naive pple here, who unfortunately believe in you, but you only care about "looking smart", not them.

And this is what Merck's Manual says about BC pills, what I was remarking about earlier:



because oral contraceptives are homones, as they HRTherapies.


Fuzzy

Those migraines I had a few months ago were associated with a aura. I better ask my dr if that puts me in a danger of a stroke.

 

[Audiofuzzy]

When I was suffering from migraines daily during the first month and half back at work, I saw my dr a few times. I did ask him what was causing them and he asked me several questions about my sleeping habits, diet, daily routine and other stuff. He said he cant give me a definite reason for the cause and he even stated that there are still some more research being done on migraines.

Of course there is an ongoing research about migraines, and so far nobody knows what exactly causes migraine but nevertheless in the last decade there was a huge step forward in the field. You have to be very interested and involved to keep up with latest news on migraine, and I am, and I also frequently look up everything that is related to the subject. I am also lucky in this aspect that I have a close relative who is a physician and supplies me with any latest news printed in Canadian Medical Journal of Neurology.
btw migaine is such a complicated disorder that often not even just any neurologist is well infomed about migraine - one must be a neuro who specialize in headaches to be truly well informed:

That your neurologist hasn't seen a Migraine without headache in anyone your age may indicate that she's a general practice neurologist who treats a wide range of illnesses, diseases, and injuries, but doesn't treat a large number of Migraineurs. A Migraine specialist would tell you that Migraine attacks without headache can and do occur at any age, even in children.

Ask the Clinician with Dr. John Claude Krusz and Teri Robert for About Headaches and Migraine: Question and Answer #8 for 01/18/05

Of course your dr can't give you definite reason for your migraines- nobody can.

Fuzzy

 

[Audiofuzzy]

Those migraines I had a few months ago were associated with a aura. I better ask my dr if that puts me in a danger of a stroke.

what do you mean "associated"? you mean you experienced visual disturbances?
yes it might a little, but you shouldn't worry about it. If you don't smoke and don't use BC pills, you should be OK.


Stroke Risk Is Greater For Migraine Sufferers, Especially Those On Oral Contraceptives
Migraines Raise Stroke Risk


Fuzzy

(edited for correction)

 

[shel90]

Of course there is an ongoing research about migraines, and so far nobody knows what exactly causes migraine but nevertheless in the last decade there was a huge step forward in the field. You have to be very interested and involved to keep up with latest news on migraine, and I am, and I also frequently look up everything that is related to the subject. I am also lucky in this aspect that I have a close relative who is a physician and supplies me with any latest news printed in Canadian Medical Journal of Neurology.
btw migaine is such a complicated disorder that often not even just any neurologist is well infomed about migraine - one must be a neuro who specialize in headaches to be truly well informed:



Ask the Clinician with Dr. John Claude Krusz and Teri Robert for About Headaches and Migraine: Question and Answer #8 for 01/18/05

Of course your dr can't give you definite reason for your migraines- nobody can.

Fuzzy

I was never interested in migraines cuz I would get them maybe twice a year but in August, I started getting them daily and with an aura so now I am more interested for future references. My ex's sister had a severe migraine one day and she ended up with a mild stroke putting her life in danger. She was only 21 at that time and now she is 40 years old...since that stroke, she never had a migraine again. It is so strange.

 

[Kaitin]

Those migraines I had a few months ago were associated with a aura. I better ask my dr if that puts me in a danger of a stroke.

I worry about stroke also, Shel. My dad (surgeon, not a neurologist) says migraine with aura increases risk for some stroke by a small amount only - much less risk than smoking, the birth control pill etc. I hope your neurologist says similar thing.

And from NEUROLOGY 2005;64:1020-1026: Migraine, headache, and the risk of stroke in women

A prospective study
T. Kurth, MD, ScD, M. A. Slomke, C. S. Kase, MD, N. R. Cook, ScD, I.-M. Lee, MBBS, ScD, J. M. Gaziano, MD, MPH, H.-C. Diener, MD, PhD and J. E. Buring, ScD

Background: Migraine and headache in general have been associated with subsequent risk of stroke, primarily in retrospective case-control studies. Prospective data evaluating the association between specific headache forms and stroke are sparse.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted among 39,754 US health professionals age 45 and older participating in the Women’s Health Study with an average follow-up of 9 years. Incident stroke was self-reported and confirmed by medical record review.

Results: A total of 385 strokes (309 ischemic, 72 hemorrhagic, and 4 undefined) occurred. Compared with nonmigraineurs, participants who reported migraine overall or migraine without aura had no increased risk of any stroke type. Participants who reported migraine with aura had increased adjusted hazards ratios (HRs) of 1.53 (95% CI 1.02 to 2.31) for total stroke and 1.71 (95% CI 1.11 to 2.66) for ischemic stroke but no increased risk for hemorrhagic stroke. Participants with migraine with aura who were <55 years old had a greater increase in risk of total (HR 1.75; 95% CI 1.02 to 3.00) and ischemic (HR 2.25; 95% CI 1.30 to 3.91) stroke. Compared with participants without headache, headache in general and nonmigraine headache were not associated with total, ischemic, or hemorrhagic stroke.

Conclusions: In these prospective data, migraine was not associated with total, ischemic, or hemorrhagic stroke. In subgroup analyses, we found increased risks of total and ischemic stroke for migraineurs with aura. The absolute risk increase was, however, low, with 3.8 additional cases per year per 10,000 women.


---

From Current Atherosclerosis Reports: Headache and the risk of stroke

Several studies have suggested that migraine is a risk factor for stroke. The association between migraine and the risk of stroke has been observed most often among premenopausal women but also in some studies among men. The association may be stronger among women who smoke and among women using oral contraceptives compared with nonsmokers and nonusers. Classic migraine with aura may be a more powerful predictor of stroke than common migraine without aura. Findings of a recent population-based study suggest that subclinical brain lesions are more common among migraine patients, particularly among those with aura, than among the control subjects. Two cohort studies have shown that chronic non-specific headache also is related to increased stroke risk. The effect of treatment of migraine and other types of headache on the risk of stroke is not known. Even though the relative risk of stroke may be fairly high among migraine patients, the absolute risk is usually low due to low baseline risk among young people.