• Question: what causes a migraine and why do they hurt so much ? :)

    Asked by cameron2000 to Ben, James, Jen, Michael, Susanna on 20 Mar 2013.
    • Photo: Jen Todd Jones

      Jen Todd Jones answered on 20 Mar 2013:

      Hi cameron

      Migraines are different to headaches which are caused by the pressure of blood causing painful arteries and veins around the head, but we don’t actually yet know what causes migraines! I have a few friends with them and I know they can be painful and last a long time, sometimes days. We know something about what happens when people suffer from them, sometimes they have experiences called ‘auras’ which can be seeing flashing lights that don’t exist or smelling smells that aren’t there. This means it’s definitely happening in the brain and these brain areas for seeing and smelling are getting confused, which actually also happens sometimes in epilepsy, so I personally think they might be related.

      Jen

    • Photo: Susanna Martin

      Susanna Martin answered on 20 Mar 2013:

      Just a quick google suggested like Jen said that we don’t really know, some of the evidence suggests that there might be a genetic link, and that hormones will play apart in it. I also saw a link about how some researchers are exploring brain freeze to see if there is a connection!
      If you know someone who suffers from migraines you could ask them if anything triggers them, I know my mum can be affected by certain foods and drinks.

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