What Are Medical Reasons for Having a Migraine?

Migraine headaches are severe headaches that strike at random moments and can last for hours or even days. The Mayo Clinic suggests that there is no cure for migraine headaches, but medication can be used to regulate the medical causes of the condition.

Changes in Hormone Levels

• According to the Mayo Clinic, some women who experience migraine headaches do so either before or during their monthly menstrual cycle. The shifts in estrogen levels cause severe headaches in some cases.

Genetics

• The NeurologyChannel.com suggests that some people have a genetic disorder that causes the blood vessels in the skull surrounding the brain to pulsate for what appears to be unknown reasons.

Brain Chemicals

• Migraines may be due to an imbalance of a brain chemical known as serotonin. An unexplained drop in the level of serotonin in the brain causes the release of nerve chemicals known as neuropeptides. These travel to the nerve endings that surround the brain and cause a migraine.

Triggers

• Migraine headaches sometimes are caused by a trigger. Bright lights, certain odors and stress are some triggers that cause migraine headaches.

Medication

• Any kind of medication has the potential to trigger migraine headaches, even in people without a history of migraines.