Migraines
September 12, 2016
Migraines affect 10-15 percent of the general population, yet they continue to be the subject of research on causes and impact.
A correlation has been found between children and young adults who experience migraines and vitamin deficiencies. Several vitamins such as Vitamin D, Co-Enzyme Q10, Vitamin B2, and Folic Acid may be linked to migraines when individuals have low levels in the body.
Females are more likely to have CoQ10 deficiencies, while males were more likely to have a Vitamin D deficiency. When there is a correlation, subjects who experience recurring migraines showed lower levels of CoQ10 and B2 than those who experience infrequent migraines.
This was not the first study that found a link between specific vitamin deficiencies and migraine tendencies.
While there is a clear connection between the vitamins and patients who experience migraines, researchers do not agree on whether supplementation with these vitamins is effective. Yet a recent study speculate that patients with mild deficiencies of these vitamins are better candidates for success with supplementation of over-the-counter vitamins.
Many migraine sufferers report the pain they experience interferes with their daily lives. They also report major physical, psychological and social issues. But even more importantly, migraines may have chronic effects on the brain’s anatomy, according to a 2013 neurological study.
Although healthcare practitioners classify migraines as a benign disorder, meta analyses conducted in this study indicate that frequent migraines could irreversibly change the structure of the brain. Not only did migraines raise the risk for lesions on the brain, but they also changed overall brain volume.
When migraines are accompanied by aura, this problem may be exacerbated.
More studies need to be conducted on whether the brain lesions alter brain functioning.
Many individuals tolerate their migraines and do not consider them harmful to their overall health. But in light of these new studies, migraine sufferers should consider giving more attention to larger implications.