LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Headache: Migraines
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There are three types of primary headaches: tension-type (muscular contraction headache), migraine (vascular headaches), and cluster. Virtually everyone experiences a tension-type headache at some point. An estimated 18% of American women suffer migraines, compared to 6% of men. Cluster headaches affect fewer than 0.5% of the population, and men account for approximately 80% of all cases. Headaches caused by illness are secondary headaches and are not included in these numbers.
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Migraine attacks will occur in addition to the daily headache. Many times, this daily headache seems to develop because of the frequent use of analgesics, especially those combined with caffeine and/or butalbital. A daily or near-daily migraine headache may occur from the frequent use of ergotamine tartrate or any of the triptan drugs. This headache pattern has been called rebound headache or medication overuse headache.
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Common headache triggers vary depending on the type of headache and on the individual. A sound or smell that serves as a migraine headache trigger in one person, for example, may have no effect at all on another. Identifying your common headache triggers can help you avoid headaches or learn to cope with them more effectively. Here are some common headache triggers for the major headache types:
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Scientists have devised one theory of migraine which explains these blood flow changes and ... certain biochemical changes that may be involved in the headache process. According to this theory, the nervous system responds to a trigger such as stress by causing a spasm of the nerve-rich arteries at the base of the brain. The spasm closes down or constricts several arteries supplying blood to the brain, including the scalp artery and the carotid or neck arteries.
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Educating the migraine patient to recognize and avoid headache triggers helps to reduce the frequency of attacks. Common migraine triggers include weather changes, the estrogen cycle, bright lights, strong odors, stress, foods, food additives, and the skipping of meals. Migraineurs do better and have fewer headaches by following regular eating and sleeping patterns.
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More than 45 million Americans experience a recurring headache every year. About 90 percent of all headaches are primary headaches. There are three types of primary headache: tension, cluster, and migraine. The most common type of primary headache is tension headache.
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Migraines