If you suffer from migraines, you already have to deal with pain that can sometimes take you out of commission for days. Migraines are not just a really bad headache. They come along with a host of other neurologically-based symptoms such as disturbances in vision, nausea, and extreme sensitivity to light, sound, and smell. On top of managing these attacks, and living with the anxiety of when the next one might occur, research is now emerging that women who suffer from migraines are at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease than their non-migraine counterparts.
The numbers published in the report show that women with migraine headaches are 39% more likely to have a heart attack, 62% more likely to suffer a stroke, and 73% more likely to have other heart problems. On the surface, there doesn’t seem to be a connection between migraines and the heart. However, there is a connection, and it lies within the nervous system, which controls the function of the cardiovascular system. The nerves in our bodies control everything from the opening and closing of blood vessels, to the regulation of our heartbeat. When an issue arises in the central nervous system, it can affect the ability of the cardiovascular system to function normally.
Migraine headaches have remained somewhat of a mystery to the medical profession, but the more that is understood, the more a connection is revealed between migraines and the nervous system. Migraines are known as neurological headaches that can occur because of abnormalities with brainstem function. Upper cervical chiropractic specifically focuses on the vertebra that surrounds and protects the brainstem. This vertebra, the atlas, forms a protective ring around the brainstem. However, if some type of injury or trauma occurs, it can cause a misalignment that places abnormal stresses on the tissues surrounding the brainstem. This can be the underlying cause of many migraine cases.
Typical treatments for migraines can be great for addressing symptoms, like reducing the headache and quelling the nausea. Unfortunately, these treatments do nothing to correct the root cause of the condition. People have achieved long-term relief from their migraines with upper cervical chiropractic care—a simple, gentle, and specific adjustment. By restoring normal atlas alignment, the nervous system is allowed to return to its normal function, which may not only reduce migraines but also benefit the cardiovascular system as well.
References:
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/06/02/migraines-tied-to-increased-risk-of-heart-problems/?_r=0Elster EL. Upper cervical chiropractic care for a patient with chronic migraine headaches with an appendix summarizing an additional 100 headache cases. J Vert Sublux Res 2003;AUG(3):1-10.
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