The Migraine Cycle

In order to understand the process of migraines, you first need to realize that you get migraines because of a particular gene you inherited. It is that gene that affects the way your body manages hormone fluctuations. Although this is easier to see in the case of women, it holds true for men as well.

After years of research that included the combined work of hundreds of researchers from universities and research hospitals around the world, we* created the Migraine Occurrence Model (MOM).

It was this model that helped map the path to our discovery of how migraines could be prevented. We had long suspected  that in order to get migraines a person must inherit a gene in the DNA from the maternal side of the family. This gene, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR) variant C677T, identified as the one that influences susceptibility to migraines.

This gene is found in the mitochondria of specific hormone-producing cells that receive their "production orders" from the pituitary gland by way of hormone-receptors located on the membranes of these cells.. These orders come in the form of protein hormones called glycoproteins. For example, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) instruct cells to produce either progesterone, estrogen, or testosterone.

Problem. It is within the cells that the MTHFR genes are located that the migraine problem begins when adverse reactions cause an adverse neurochemical to be released into the blood stream.

This neurochemical is what causes the dilation of the blood vessels in the trigeminovascular system that makes the head hurt). Since the trigeminal nerve is located on both sides of the head and extends likewise behind the eyes and into the face, that is the reason the pain can seem to move or be located in any of these areas. When pain is felt behind the eyes or as sinus pressure. Migraines are often misdiagnosed as sinus headaches and even wrongly treated as sinus infections.

Pain. As the blood vessels intertwined with the nerve endings begin to swell, the inter-lining of the vessel begins to ooze a chemical through the thin vessel walls. This chemical actually stimulate the nerve endings to secrete powerful blood vessel dilators that turns on a violent chain reaction that continues to apply throbbing pressure on the nerve endings   that is felt as the painful lightening-like pinching of a migraine headache.

Relief. Triptans, such as Imitrex, constrict (shrink) these dilated blood vessels to relieve the pressure and abort the migraine. These drugs are designed to stop the pain, but do nothing to prevent the return of another migraines.

 Since anti-epileptic and other drugs prescribed for migraines work solely within the brain, it becomes apparent as to why they often fail to prevent migraines when one considers the cause of the migraine problem is not within the brain. One can imagine these drugs as masking the migraines rather than actually preventing it from occurring.

At this point is should become apparent that in order to effectively control migraines and keep them from starting, the solution must address the true nature of migraine problem rather than altering the brain chemistry with drugs.

Perhaps this can be illustrated best by thinking of using drugs to prevent migraines is like throwing a blanket over a burning fire - it may keep you from realizing a fire is still burring. You can think of Tuliv Migraine Defense as preventing the matches from being lit. No matches, no fire, no headache.

  Migraine Defense is the only anti-migraine product that builds a natural defense system in your body to keep you from getting migraines. At the source of the problem is where it is designed to work to keep a migraine from being ignited.

Migraine Defense neither adds to or depletes the body of any hormones. Migraine Defense purpose to the manage the problem that causes migraines. Therefore, Migraine Defense is safe for use by men, women, and children*.

Neck Tension Migraines. Migraines are very taxing on the body. Neck muscles and joints become tense, sore, and strained. This pain and tension is often misdiagnosed as the cause, rather than the result of migraines.

Hormone Replacement Therapy. Many women have been prescribed or use hormone replacement therapy, such as estrogen and progesterone, in attempts to control migraines or block the symptoms of menopause. These remedies for migraines are generally short lived as the body readjusts to the added hormones and this can actually and painfully result in an increase in migraine frequency and intensity. Unfortunately the connection between adding hormones and increased migraines is not understood by most doctors or patients; therefore, HRT continues unchallenged.

Now you know the problem and the solution. You have the right to choose what is best for you. Choose the solution that protects you from migraines. Choose Migraine Defense.