Migraine Headaches (Part 1): What is it & Who does it affect?

General Info:
- A migraine is a recurring head pain that is theorized to be caused as a result of biochemical changes in the brain and/or surrounding vasculature.
- Migraine headaches are one of the most commonly seen problems in doctors' offices
- There are two main types of migraines:
1) Migraine without aura (Aka Common Migraine) which makes up about 80% of migraines
2) Migraine with aura (Aka Classic Migraine) which makes up about 20% of migraines
- An aura (Aka Prodrome) is a symptom of our nervous system the precedes a migraine about one hour or less before the migraine comes on. It is usually a visual or olfactory symptom. However, it has been reported that up to 60% of people will experience an aura/prodrome a few hours up to a few days before experiencing a migraine. 
- Pain is typically moderate to severe throbbing or pulsatile, unilateral (one sided) and located in the frontal/temporal or ocular area of your head and build up over 1-2 hours, moving posteriorly to the back of your head and becoming more diffuse.
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Who Does A Migraine Affect:
- Incidence: about 15-20% of the USA population 
- Age: around puberty
- Gender: Females are 3x more likely to experience migraines compared to males
- Genetics: There appears to be a familial link to migraines, especially in females. (Ex. grandmother, mother and daughter experience migraines)
-Personality: People with Type A personality are more likely to experience a migraine

If migraines are something you experience and have difficulty with, visit your local family doctor or chiropractor to see what options are available for treatment. Most migraines are treatable, you don't have to suffer with them. 

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