Chromosome X: am I the reason for your Migraine

Chromosome X: am I the reason for your Migraine

- Sujatha Ramasamy

Scientist, New Delhi

As you hear the word migraine,the word which pricks you is that an unbearable headache. But I would like to share interesting information how chromosomes are related to migraine.

However before that let me tell you what is a migraine? It is an neurological disease which causes unilateral (affecting one half of the head) and severe head ache lasting from  2 to 72 hours which might be accompanied with  symptoms like nausea, vomiting, photophobia  (increased sensitivity to light), phonophobia (increased sensitivity to sound) and the pain is generally aggravated by physical activity. Aura means a group of symptoms accompanied with visual disturbances.

Difference in Headache and Migraine:

1. Tension headaches: It is accompanied by muscle contraction in the shoulders, neck and head, while the pain usually occurs on both sides of the head or back. Occurs frequently in women and is mainly due to psychological causes.

2. Migraine: Due to dilation of blood vessels in the brain and is found in half the skull, and usually with aura (i.e. early symptoms). It concerns mainly women and the main causes are due to genetic predisposition and environmental factors.

In the case of cumulative headache the person has many crises of intense headache a day, each of which lasts a few minutes to three hours. This situation may last for two or three months and then the headaches disappear to appear again at some time in the future. It is the kind of headache that usually occurs in men who make alcohol abuse and are workaholic.

Experts believe that tension headaches and migraines cover over 90% of cases, while cumulative headache is rare and occurs at a rate of 1-2% of the general population.

Migraine headaches tend to first appear between the ages of 10 and 45. Sometimes they may begin later in life.

Relation with Chromosome X:

Migraines occur more often in women than men, Migraines may run in families, Some women, but not all, may have fewer migraines when they are pregnant why so????

We know that all females have two X chromosomes ,at the same time as males have an X and a Y chromosome. The research provides compelling evidence for a new migraine susceptibility gene involved in migraine. Research Led by Professor Lyn Griffiths from the University's Griffith Health Institute, the team has identified a new region on the X chromosome as playing a role in migraine. The study also indicated that there may be more than one X chromosomal gene involved and implicated a gene involved in iron regulation in the brain. Professor Griffiths says the results provide greater supporting evidence for the role of the X chromosome in the migraine and may explain the reason why so many females suffer this disorder.

"Currently, 12 per cent of the population suffers from migraine. Even though we have some very good treatments for this very debilitating disease, they certainly don't work for everyone and can have some adverse side effects. Hence there is a real need to develop new migraine treatments."

Other useful information about Migraine:

          A migraine is caused by abnormal brain activity, which can be triggered by a number of factors. However, the exact chain of events remains unclear. Today, most medical experts believe the attack begins in the brain, and involves nerve pathways and chemicals. The changes affect blood flow in the brain and surrounding tissues

After childhood, the disease is two to four times more common in women. Stress, the emotional and hormonal changes, deprivation diets and fatigue are the most common factors of migraine headaches in more than 50% of the cases.In some women, migraine occurs for the first time during pregnancy, and there are a large percentage of women (55-90%) where during pregnancy the problem of the migraine (especially during the second or third month) improves dramatically! Contraceptives can be a cause or aggravate existing migraine headaches.80% of people suffer from headaches generally do not visit the doctor to ask for help.

Alcohol, stress and anxiety, certain odors or perfumes, loud noises or bright lights, and smoking may trigger a migraine. Migraine attacks may also be triggered by Caffeine withdrawal, Changes in hormone levels during a woman's menstrual cycle or with the use of birth control pills, Changes in sleep patterns, Exercise or other physical stress,Missed meals,Smoking or exposure to smoke

Migraine headaches can be triggered by certain foods. The most common are any processed, fermented, pickled, or marinated foods, as well as foods that contain monosodium glutamate (MSG),Baked goods, chocolate, nuts, peanut butter, and dairy products,Foods containing tyramine, which includes red wine, aged cheese, smoked fish, chicken livers, figs, and certain beans,Fruits (avocado, banana, citrus fruit),Meats containing nitrates (bacon, hot dogs, salami, cured meats),Onions. This list may not include all triggers.

True migraine headaches are not a result of a brain tumor or other serious medical problem. However, only an experienced health care provider can determine whether your symptoms are due to a migraine or another condition.

References:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/06/120604094119.htm

http://www.migraineheadachesaid.com/2009/04/understanding-the-difference-between-a-headache-and-a-migraine-headache/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001728/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Migraine

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/148373.php

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=55043