

There are several common triggers that a person may become more sensitive to or experience more frequently. People can also have different sensitivities to their environment that could cause migraine symptoms to increase in frequency over time. If one or more of these conditions triggers migraine with aura, treating that condition may help prevent future migraine episodes. atherosclerosis, which occurs when the arteries harden.Some underlying conditions associated with migraine include: Likewise, if new medical conditions occur, they could affect both the triggers and treatment of a person’s migraine. If a person first experiences migraine-like symptoms after the age of 60 years, an underlying condition may be responsible. Progestin-only contraceptives are often a safer choice for individuals with migraine with aura. Combination birth control pills, which contain estrogen, have been linked to a small increased risk of ischemic stroke in people who experience migraine with aura. However, it is vital for people who experience migraine with aura episodes to discuss birth control options with a healthcare provider. However, after menopause, the number of migraine episodes that females experience tends to decrease.Īs a result of changing hormone levels prior to menopause, the American Migraine Foundation indicate that some females may be more prone to migraine if they are more sensitive to hormonal changes.Įpisodes can occur following pregnancy or prior to a period due to drops in hormone levels associated with these events.Īnother study into the relationship between migraine and estrogen pointed out that the use of hormonal birth control may help prevent both headaches and aura in females during their reproductive years. According to the Migraine Research Foundation, females are more likely than males to develop migraine. Hormones, including estrogen, can play a role in how frequently a person may experience migraine.

It is possible that a person who develops an increasing number of migraine with aura episodes may have experienced some change that affects blood flow to their brain. One 2010 study also states that changes in blood flow to the brain may be the cause of migraine and stroke in certain people.
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However, scientists still do not fully understand why people with migraine with aura experience spontaneous CSD or how to prevent it. Some research suggests that a temporary disturbance in brain function, or cortical spreading depression (CSD), may be linked to migraine with aura.ĬSD can disrupt the brain’s electrical impulses and, in turn, decrease blood flow to the part of the brain that deals with visual perception. They also note that although migraine is more common in females, males are more likely to develop migraine with aura. Genes and environmental triggers may also play a role in this inflammation. These potential causes include the following: Environmental and genetic triggersĪccording to the Office of Women’s Health, some researchers believe that substances in the brain may build up and cause inflammation, leading to migraine. Many of the same factors that trigger migraine without aura can also cause migraine with aura.
