What happens in the body during a migraine attack?
As mentioned above migraine is caused by a neurological abnormality in the brain that affects the blood vessels (vascular system). The abnormality changes the blood flow and causes biochemical changes in the body. The nervous system of the body reacts to certain triggers (e.g. stress) by causing spasms of the arteries in the brain. This spasm blocks the blood flow into the brain. This blocking of the arteries also causes blood clotting. This process releases the chemical serotonin that will even constrict the arteries more. Due to the lack of blood supply, the brain is lacking oxygen which causes the mentioned symptoms of disturbed vision and speech deficiencies. As consequence of the reduced oxygen in the brain, the arteries have to open wider to provide the brain with its energy needs. This widening will now also affect the arteries located in the neck and scalp. When the arteries widen our body produces a substance called prostaglandin, as well as chemicals that cause inflammation,
