Migraine Headaches and Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO)

[imported_Tiffany Le]

Migraines
An estimated 30 million Americans ? about 10 percent of the population -- suffer from migraine headaches, a neurological disorder characterized by chronic and disabling headaches. Twenty-five (25) percent of young American women are estimated to be affected by migraines.

Currently, there is no cure for migraines. The headaches are often prevented and treated through drug therapy. However, some migraine sufferers either do not respond to medications or experience unpleasant side effects.

Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO)
A PFO is a structural defect of the heart that results when a small opening in the wall between the two upper chambers of the heart (the atria) fails to close during infancy. Everyone is born with a PFO, but in approximately 25 percent of adults, the PFO has not closed naturally.

A PFO can allow blood to cross from the heart?s right upper chamber to its upper left chamber without first being filtered and oxygenated by the lungs. When the PFO is closed, blood cannot travel into the left atrium without first going through the lungs.



A PFO is a small opening between the upper chambers of the heart.

A Possible Connection Between Migraine and a PFO
An association between migraine headaches and PFOs was first observed by physicians who treated patients with PFOs for other medical conditions, such as stroke and decompression illness (which may accompany activities like scuba diving). These physicians later noticed a reduced frequency in their patients? migraine headaches. Other informal studies have shown reduced pain after PFO closure for migraine patients. Future trials are necessary to determine if there is a causal relationship between PFO and these diseases.

It is not known why patients with a PFO may be more likely to have migraines. Nor is it known why closing the PFO may decrease migraine attacks. Medical scientists theorize that blood, allowed to pass through the PFO from the upper right chamber of the heart to the upper left chamber without being first filtered by the lungs contains substances that trigger migraines.

The ESCAPE Migraine clinical trial is exploring the connection between migraines and PFO. For information on the clinical trial, visit Home : ESCAPE Migraine Clinical Trial : St. Jude Medical, Inc.

Thank You,
Support by St Jude Medical

[AFemaleProdigy]

I also want to point out that there are some times factors in our lives that are causes of migraines. For example, medications such as certain types of birth control can cause migraine headaches. If you are on any sort of medications, you might want to check the manufacturers list of possible side effects.

It has also been suggested that artificial sweetners that contain Phenylalinine (Aspartame) cause migraine headaches. Many people have experienced migraine headaches while consuming Aspartame. The headaches then stopped when they disconinued consumption.

Caffiene withdrawl can also cause severe headaches. Caffiene opens your bloodvessels and increase bloodflow to the brain. As the caffiene wears off, the vessels shrink and reduce blood flow to the brain. The change causes headaches.

Just some things to concider.

[imported_rosenino]

I agree with Jessica. For years I had migraines and I believe a lot had to do with the many meds I was put on. I remember over the years being on different meds and my migraines getting worse. And I was one that watched what I ate, drank only water, and excercised. I got to the point where everything I ate gave me a migraines. And ThAT time of the month, I could definitely count on them along with the severe cramping, bloating, stomach problems, etc. It wasn't until I decided to do a body cleanse that my migraines & many other health issues went away. I really believe that it's a great idea to look into a natural alternative before going the meds with side effects route (which can be toxic to the body). And I'm not saying all meds are bad. I'm sure sometimes there is no other alternative. I'm just saying that my experience has not been a good one and that for over 15 yrs it seemed the more meds I was put on the worse I got. I just thank God that I was introduced to cleansing.

Rose