Migraine Headaches Overview
If you suffer from migraine headaches, you are not alone. In 2003, The World Health Organization estimated that 303 million people worldwide suffered from migraine headaches. This number may be conservative, as individuals often self-diagnose themselves as having a sinus headache when, in all actuality, what they are experiencing is a migraine headache.
A migraine is a neurological condition. It often results in reccurring attacks that have similar attributes to that of a normal headache, but are longer in duration and more severe than a common headache. Migraines are typically classified into two categories: classic and common. Classic migraines are often preceded by visual disturbances (like flashing light) and odd physical sensations that can include tingling, numbness, nausea and vomiting. Precursors to common migraines are feelings of depression and/or restlessness, or even periods of talkativeness. These symptoms are usually experienced two to three days before the migraine starts.
Several things are known to contribute to migraines. The rate of blood flow to the brain or the constriction in certain blood vessels may play a role. In addition, a wide variety of stimuli have been reported to trigger the onset of a migraine headache, including tension, bright lights, loud noises, strong smells, weather changes, fatigue, missed meals, and emotional upset. Many common foods and beverages, including lunchmeat, hot dogs, alcohol, beans, coffee, tea, cheese, and chocolate may also trigger a migraine.
The onset of a migraine is marked when the blood vessels within the head shrink, then swell, resulting in extreme and uncomfortable pain. It is estimated that 60% of all migraine pain tends to be localized to one side of the head. The length and frequency of migraine attacks vary. Migraines can last a few minutes, a couple of hours, or, in severe cases, several days. Some individuals suffer migraines weekly, while others have one per year.
When migraine headaches occur at a frequency and intensity so as to prevent people from being able to work, they will often apply for Social Security Disability. To read more about applying for Social Security Disability benefits based on migraine headaches, please click on the link.
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Just an addendum to your What Are Migraines,you state that Migraines are caused by Constricting Blood Vessels but it has been show recently that Migraines fall into 2 Catagories:Vascular and Basilar.
Vascular Migraines are caused by constricting blood vessels and can at times be treated with Blood Pressure medications as well as a change in diet(ie:No red meats,caffeine or stimulant foods)and oftimes are treated with Triptan Inhibitors(Topomax,Sumaltriptan,Imitrex)
Basilar Migraines are different as it is not simply constricting vessels in the main portion of the Brain they are caused by the Basilar Vessel(Brainstem and Base of the Brain)constricting which causes the Brain stem to believe the Main Brain has been injured and thus flooding the brain with blood(bruising).Most Migraines with Aura(Visual and Audio effects)are Basilar in nature.Basilar migraines are caused more by “faulty signals” then an actual Physical constriction.
I have suffered Basilar Migraines since 2002 and have gone through almost all treatments known including Imitrex,Diet Change,Heavy Narcotics and even an entire reconstruction of my Nose and Sinus and all to no avail.As of last November my Migraines have devolved into Migraines with Seizures and after years of not being treated have resulted in “lesions” or “scarring” on my Hippocampus and Right Hemisphere..and still I am denied SSDI.
Thomas, I suspect that most Social Security judges are not aware of the difference between vascular and basilar migraines. I was not aware of the difference and I appreciate your comment and education about this. This might be a situation where an attorney would need to be creative – i.e., deposing a treating doctor to get a detailed description of your type of migraine on the record, and submitting a detailed pre-hearing brief setting out the medical issues and requesting the presence of a medical expert.
To give you some perspective, I frequently represent clients who report “migraine headaches” which may or may not be actual migraines as you describe. I sense that judges have become somewhat desensitized to these claims, just as they have for claims based on “arthritis” or “asthma.” I think that the key here is to take whatever steps are necessary to educate the judge that this is not a simple headache case but one involving true migraines.