Migraine breakthrough as scientists discover the process that triggers every symptom: Study

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Wednesday 23 Dec 2015 - 09:33 Makkah mean time-12-3-1437 The discovery means that headaches could be prevented or alleviated using supplements such as beta carotene and vitamin C which bind and shut down free radicals. Maine, USA (IINA) - Migraines have a single cause that is to blame for every symptom ranging from pain to nausea, a new study has claimed. Scientists found that a surplus of free radicals, the corrosive molecules produced by our bodies as we process oxygen, were at the root of all headaches, Mail Online news reported. The surplus creates an imbalance in the body, which is called ‘oxidative stress’, when there are not enough antioxidant defenses to fend off the free radicals. The researchers said that their findings could one day help find a cure for migraines, which could be as simple as taking a vitamin. Jonathan Borkum, a clinical psychologist and professor at the University of Maine, studied 2,000 papers on migraines to come to his conclusion. He looked at a range of triggers, such as dehydration or air pollution, and compared how each of them affected the brain. Prof Borkum found that the common theme behind all headaches was oxidative stress, which he described as a ‘plausible unifying principle behind the types of migraine triggers encountered in clinical practice’. Free radicals have also been linked to cancer and some experts believe they are the reason why we age. The discovery means that headaches could be prevented or alleviated using supplements such as beta carotene and vitamin C which bind and shut down free radicals. However, they may have health risks and one study found that antioxidant supplements were associated with higher risk of death than those who did not take them. An estimated one in 10 people suffer from migraines, which can last for hours and can be so serious that patients are unable to function. Elizabeth Loder, chief of the Division of Headache and Pain at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, who was not involved in the study, said that sometimes what people think is the trigger for a headache is actually a symptom. She told the Boston Globe that some people think chocolate causes headaches, but the craving for something sweet may actually be a sign of a coming headache. SM/IINA