How do migraines occur?

Answer 1

A migraine can be described as headaches going overdrive; it is a form of vascular headache, caused by the enlargement of the blood vessels as well as the release of chemicals that coil around these vessels. Whenever a migraine attacks you, the artery that lies just outside the skull and just under the skin of the temple, called the temporal artery, becomes enlarged, causing the nerves that coil around it to stretch and release chemicals. The chemicals, in turn, cause the artery to become more inflamed, which becomes more painful, and further enlarges the artery. It is a vicious circle that goes on for hours, or even days.

Answer 2

A migraine can be triggered by many things, and what those triggers are for each person is very individual. Certain foods, being exposed to certain lights or smells, being put under stress, weather changes, and many more - can all start the migraine process.

Migraines begin as a spreading cortical depression. This is a wave of lowered activity that crosses over the entire cerebral cortex - in essence rebooting this part of your brain. This spreading darkness is what can alter mood during the prodrome phase, stimulate the visual cortex to cause an aura. When the cerebral cortex regain normal rhythm again, the nerves are overexcited - causing dilation of the blood vessels and intense pain that travels along the trigeminal and occipital nerves.

Answer 3

Migraines used to be thought to occur as a result of vascular constriction and dilation. We now know that this doesn't always happen in a Migraine attack. There is evidence now that spreading cortical depression is the beginning of a Migraine.