Migraine Terminology Glossary For Site

This Terminology Glossary will help you in many areas of these web pages. If at any time throughout reading any of my articles, you find yourself without knowledge, you can come here to get understandings of any words that you aren’t familiar with.

Abortive Headache Drug  After the pain of a headache or migraine has begun, this is what is used to abort or stop the pain.

Acupressure  A deep massage using your fingers, palms of the hands, elbows, knees and feet used to stimulate the acupuncture points to produce the same results as acupuncture, also known as Shiatsu.Acupuncture   Is a treatment used by the Ancient Chinese by inserting hair thin needles into your skin to restore free flow of  bio-energy.

Adrenaline   Is the fight or flight hormone secreted by the adrenal gland that sits atop the kidneys. It can quickly increase the heart rate and blood pressure in response to an emotional or physical trauma.Sometimes referred to as Epinephrine.

Aerobic exercise  Physical activity that enhances the bodys intake and utilization of oxygen. Jogging, bicycling, running, power walking and swimming are the main aerobic exercises. There is also an exercise class offered called Jazzercise that is a great workout source.

Amines  Nitrogen-based proteins implicated as triggers of migraine and other types of vascular headaches.

Anaerobic exercise  An exercise like weight lifting and isometrics. An exercise whose energy comes from burning fat without the use of oxygen.

Analgesics  Medications commonly used for the relief of pain. Examples could include aspirin, acetaminophen which is also called Tylenol and Ibuprophren.

Aneurysm  A bulge in the wall of an artery due to weakening of the wall by disease or birth defect that at risk of rupturing.

Angiogram  A specialized study of the arteries after dye is injected into the bloodstream and x-rays are taken as the fluid travels through the blood vessels to the head and neck.

Antidepressants  Medications developed for depression also used for treatment of migraines headaches.

Arteries  Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart to different parts of the body.

Aura   One or more symptoms such as temporary loss of vision, flashing lights, or seeing spots that can signal the onset of some forms of migraines. Often referred to as migraines with aura.

Basilar artery migraine  A rare form of migraine caused by disturbance in a major brain artery. Symptoms of this type of migraine include loss of balance, double vision, speaking difficulty, poor muscle coordination and even loss of consciousness. Mostly occurring in young women, adolescents, and children.

Beta-blocker  A drug that blocks the effects of selective body hormones on the heart and blood vessels. These agents slow the heart rate, lower blood pressure and reduce the hearts oxygen requirements.

Biofeedback  Information about bodily functions, such as heartbeat or muscle tension, through audiovisual feedback that allows a person to change the level of that bodily function through relaxation and other methods of operant conditioning.

Blood Pressure  The pressure created by the circulating blood on the walls of the arteries. Blood pressure results from the contraction or squeezing of the heart.

Blood Vessels   The arteries, veins and capillaries that carry blood through the body.

Brain scan  A specialized study in which the radioactive chemical is injected in the arm and travels to the brain, enhancing its outline when x-rays are taken.

Caffeine  A stimulant substance found in coffee, tea, soda-pop and other products. Excessive use of caffeine and withdrawal of caffeine can trigger a migraine. Some migraine medications contain caffeine in the ingredient.

Calcium channel blocker  A drug used to lower blood pressure. It works by blocking calcium from entering through microscopic channels in the walls of arteries.
This drug is also used to reduce the frequency and severity of migraine headaches.

Carotid arteries  The two main arteries that supply blood to the head and neck.

Cephalgia  The medical term used for headache or pain in the head.

Cervicogenic headache  A secondary type of headache caused by arthritis and other conditions of the bones and joints in the neck.

Cholesterol  A waxy substance produced by the body that is necessary for the production of hormones and cell function.

Cluster headache  A vascular headache named for the way it repeats itself in groups or clusters, mostly found in men, typically located around one eye and are associated with teary eyes and a runny nose.

Constriction   Narrowing of blood vessels caused by contraction of their muscles.

Dihydroergotamine   A drug used to treat migraine and cluster headaches.

Electroencephalography  Also referred to as an EEG. A test that delineates the electrical activity of nerve cells in the brain via electrodes applied to the scalp. An EEG provides information regarding disorders of the brain such as seizures, tumors and blood clots.

Endorphins  Morphine like chemicals naturally secreted by the nervous system. These amino-acid-based chemicals are abundantly produced during aerobic exercise and have an important role in pain reduction.

Epinephrine  Also known as adrenaline, this hormone has important functions in the regulation of blood pressure.

Ergotamine Tartrate  A drug used to treat migraine headaches.

Estrogen  A female sex hormone produced by the ovaries. Estrogen is used in birth control pills and in hormone replacement pills to treat effects of menopause.

Heart rate  refers to the number of times the heart pumps blood per minute.

High blood pressure  is also called Hypertension. High blood pressure is caused by increased volume of circulating blood and or decreased diameter of the blood vessels, among other factors.

Hormones  Substances secreted by an endocrine gland that influence the activities of various organs.

Hormone replacement therapy  Hormones taken by women after a hysterectomy or menopause to prevent osteoporosis and heart disease.

Hyperthyroidism  Abnormally high production of thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland that sits at the base of the front of the neck.

Hypotension  Low blood pressure defined as blood pressure below 100/60.

Ice cream headache  A headache caused by cooling the tissues in the roof of the mouth by eating ice cream or other cold substances.

Internists  Doctors that restrict their practice to matters of internal medicine, which includes diabetes, headaches and high blood pressure. Don’t confuse these doctors with interns (newly graduated physicians in training); they have actually 3 or more years of training beyond medical school.

Lumbar puncture  also referred to as a Spinal tap. A test used to remove a small amount of spinal fluid using a needle inserted in the spinal canal in the lower back. This test is known for finding diseases such as meningitis, brain hemorrhage, and other life threatening diseases.

Magnesium  A metallic element that is crucial to the function of bones, muscles, nerves, and other bodily tissues.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.  A highly sophisticated imaging technique that uses magnets and computers to form a three dimensional image of internal organs such as the brain.

Meningitis  An infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.

Menstrual migraine  The migraine that attacks during the menstrual cycle.

Migraine headache   A type of neurovascular headache caused by biochemical changes and inflammation in the brain and associated blood vessels that lead to the widening and narrowing of blood vessels that feed the head and neck.

Migraineur  A person who suffers from migraines.

Monosodium glutamate (MSG)  a food flavor enhancer found in canned goods and frozen entrees in supermarkets.

Neurotransmitters  The chemical messengers - e.g., serotonin, dopamine, nor epinephrine - that facilitate communication between brain cells.

Neurovascular  Having to do with both the nerves and blood vessels.

Nicotine A stimulant substance contained in cigarettes and other tobacco products. Nicotine can trigger migraine headaches by narrowing blood vessels that go to the head and neck.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs  used to treat the pain and inflammation associated with headaches such as Naproxen and Ibuprofen.

Nurse practitioner  a nurse with advanced training to perform many health care tasks traditionally provided by a physician.

Ophthamoplegic migraine  A migraine that is rare in form which causes the eyelid to droop and double vision.

Pain tolerance  The degree of severity each person assigns a pain stimulus.

Plaque  The fatty deposits in the blood vessels that reduce the free flow of blood.

Potassium  An electrolyte found in the blood and cells that plays a major role in the function of nerves and muscles. Found in foods such as bananas and oranges.

Prednisone  An artificial drug used to prevent and treat vascular headaches.

Prognosis  Is a prediction regarding the expected course of a disease process.

Reflexology  A form of massage therapy applied to the palms and fingertips of the hands, the feet, and the ears.

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