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Genetics and Migraines
August 5, 2009 |
If you are one of the millions who suffer from migraine headaches, your family tree
might be to blame.
“Patients or people with migraine headaches have a family history of migraines.
The gene, however has not been identified, they are getting close,” says Dr. Aldith
Lewis, an internal medicine physician with Lee
Memorial Health System.
Researchers at the University of California are actually looking at one genetic
component that could be triggering these painful headaches: chromosome #4. “Usually
children who have mothers with migraine headaches go on to develop migraine headaches
as adults,” explains Dr. Lewis.
She says the pain associated with a migraine can be almost unbearable. “A migraine
can last anywhere from 4 to 72 hours. They usually come on, they’re usually on one
side of the brain, they’re usually unilateral, they’re throbbing, they’re usually
accompanied with nausea or vomiting, some are sensitive to bright lights or certain
noises.”
Dr. Lewis says there are several things that can trigger a migraine: stress, lack
of sleep, certain odors, hormonal changes, even foods like chocolate and alcohol.
There are several prescription medications that can help. “The best way to use these,
however, is to treat the headache early, at the first onset of headache. That is
the best time to take the medication because usually when its more severe, its more
difficult to treat,” adds Dr. Lewis.
If you start feeling weak or develop a stiff neck right before or during a migraine,
you should seek immediate medical attention.
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