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| decreases the brain's supply of oxygen. Symptoms signaling a headache, such as distorted vision or speech, may then result. |
| Reacting to the reduced oxygen supply, certain arteries within the brain open wider to meet the brain's energy needs. This widening or dilation spreads, finally affecting the neck and scalp arteries. The dilation of these arteries triggers the release of pain-producing substances called prostaglandins from various tissues and blood cells. Chemicals which cause inflammation and swelling and substances which increase sensitivity to pain are also released. The circulation of these chemicals and the dilation of the scalp arteries stimulate the pain-sensitive nerve endings called nociceptors. The result, according to this theory: a throbbing pain in the head. |
| Migraine attacks commonly take one of two forms. The most common is called migraine without aura (common migraine), accounting for 85 percent of all migraine headaches. These are characterized by episodes of severe, often throbbing pain that may affect only one side of the head, although both sides may be affected. The signature of these headaches is that they are usually, but not always, associated with a feeling of being sick to the stomach or of sensitivity to light, sound or movement of the body. Typically the sufferer wishes to lie down in a dark and quiet room and wait for the storm to pass. Often, those people close to a patient can predict when headache will occur because of changes in the patient's behavior, which may range from depression to exhilaration. If the headache is not relieved early by sleeping it off, it may wax and wane for days, accompanied by appetite loss, nausea or vomitinghallmarks of the so-called sick headache. |
| The second most common type is called migraine with aura (classical migraine). The aura of this type of headache, which accounts for most of the remaining 15 percent |
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