A severe and debilitating headache can cause anyone to panic and think the worst. There is a wide range of problems that could be causing your headaches. In this article we will be talking about two common reasons that severe headaches may be occurring. Migraines and brain aneurysms are on opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to headache causes, let’s look at why.
What You Need To Know About Migraines
1. What They Are
Migraines are a neurological disease that have no cure. They are severe headaches accompanied with a variety of other autonomic nervous system symptoms. The word migraine comes from the Greek work “hemikrania” which means pain on a side of the head. As many as 12 percent of Americans suffer with them.
2. Causes
The exact cause of migraines is unknown but is thought that imbalances of brain chemicals may be involved. Changes in the brain stem, environmental factors, and genetics may also play a role. While a certain cause may not be known many people have certain triggers. Some of the common ones are hormonal changes, certain drinks such as alcohol, food additives, and certain foods.
3. Symptoms
Symptoms of migraines often begin in childhood and last all through adult hood. Along with a severe headache many other symptoms can come along with it. Some symptoms may come along one to two days before a migraine will hit, these include depression, food cravings, irritability, neck stiffness, and uncontrollable yawning. Aura is a common symptom that may occur before or during a migraine. It causes a person to see lights, in flashes or bright spots. It can also cause partial vision loss when being experienced. Throbbing pain on one or two sides of the head, blurred vision, nausea, lightheadedness, and sensitivity to light, sounds, or smells are also all common symptoms.
4. Treatment
While there is no cure for migraines, there are some treatment options that may help to ease symptoms. Two types of medications may be used – pain-relieving and preventative. Pain relieving medications are designed to stop symptoms of a migraine that has already developed and preventative are designed to reduce the severity and frequency of the migraines. Another thing that is recommended is to begin keeping a headache diary. This means you note the time and day that you are experiencing headaches and anything you believe may have caused it, or what you were doing when it began. This can help you to better understand your own personal triggers.
All About Aneurysms
1. Basics
A brain aneurysm is a bulging area in an artery that brings blood to the brain. This bulge is also described as a “ballooning”. The walls of the artery gradually become thinner and can eventually rupture, which will allow blood to fill the space around the brain. Brain aneurysms typically form silently and are not discovered until they rupture or begin causing serious problems. They can be deadly and often require very advanced surgical care in order to correct.
2. Types
There are two types of aneurysms, saccular and fusiform. A saccular aneurysm is the most common form, making up nearly 90 percent of all intracranial aneurysms. Saccular aneurysms are also referred to as “berry”, this is due to the shape that the small sacs make on the artery. A fusiform aneurysm is much more rare. They are caused when the arterial wall on both sides of an artery expand, meaning the artery has expanded in all directions. The size of the aneurysm can also very greatly.
3. Causes
There are a multitude of different factors that can lead to an increased risk for aneurysms. Gender, race, and age are three of the big ones. Women are more likely to develop a brain aneurysm than men and African American people are more likely than any other race to suffer from one. Smoking, high blood pressure, and family history are all also risk factors for an aneurysm.
4. Symptoms
Majority of brain aneurysms cause no symptoms at all until it has ruptured. In some rare cases the pressure of the bulging artery can cause severe headaches, neck pain, and changes in speech. Symptoms of a ruptured aneurysm are severe and often come on very quickly. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms of a ruptured aneurysm you should call 911 immediately as it is life threatening.
Neck Pain
Light Sensitivity
Fainting
Seizures
Nausea/Vomiting
Severe Headache that is Different than Past Headaches
5. Treatment
There is a variety of treatments available if an aneurysm is found and the type that is right for you depends on the progression, size, and type of aneurysm you are suffering from. Surgical clipping is one of the forms of treatment that may be performed, this involves a craniotomy being done to locate the aneurysm. A clip is then placed at the base of the aneurysm with a clip. Endovascular coiling is another treatment option, which is when a catheter is put through the femoral artery in the groin and guided through the aorta in to the brain until it reaches the aneurysm. The coil than causes a clotting reaction that prevents rupture.
Differences Between A Migraine and Aneurysm
1.Seriousness
The biggest difference between a migraine headache and a brain aneurysm is how serious of a situation it is or can become. A migraine is not life threatening, painful and frustrating, but not deadly. A brain aneurysm can cause major, deadly problems in the brain. Especially in the case of rupture.
2. Cause Of Symptoms
While symptoms of both migraines and aneurysm can be somewhat similar, they are caused by very different things. A migraine can be caused by any different things, such as hormonal changes. These cause a severe headache and other symptoms. The symptoms of the aneurysm are caused by the pressure that is being placed on part of the brain from the swelling in the artery, and in some cases, from the rupturing of said aneurysm.
3. Effects
Brain aneurysm can cause devastating effects for the person suffering and their family. Death is a likely possibility when it comes to the rupturing of an aneurysm. Other neurological damage can also be done. A migraine has no known lasting effects, except possibly on sleep patterns.