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Print7 Healthcast: Migraines
Light sensitivity, nausea, throbbing on one side of your head- a few symptoms of a migraine headache. It's a painful and often debilitating condition. Now researchers from Mass General have new information regarding the brains of people with migraines.
"People who suffer from migraines have increased thickness of the part of the brain that processes the sensation of the face and head area," said Mass General radiologist Dr. Nouchine Hadjikhani.
This study in the journal Neurology says it may also explain why people with migraines often have other pain disorders such as back pain and jaw pain.
Researchers looked at brain images of 24 people with migraine headaches and 12 people without. They found that an area of the brain in people with migraines was 2 percent thicker than those who didn't get the headaches.
Dr. Hadjikhani says it's an important finding...
"They are important because they show migraine induces changes in your brain," she said.
And while researchers say more studies need to be done in this area, it's one step closer to understanding this disease.
While there is no cure for a migraine, there are many treatments available, such as medication, dietary changes and biofeedback.
So talk with your doctor, there's no need to suffer.
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