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Risk factors

By Mayo Clinic staff

The following factors may increase your risk of migraine with or without aura:

  • Family history. Migraines are more common in people with a family history of migraines.
  • Sex. Women are three times as likely to have migraines as men are.
  • Hormonal changes in women. Migraine may worsen or change during menstruation, pregnancy or menopause. Migraine may also worsen if you take birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy.
References
  1. Bajwa ZH, et al. Pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis of migraine in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
  2. Headache: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/headache/detail_headache.htm?css=print. Accessed Jan. 11, 2009.
  3. Pelak VS. Approach to the patient with visual hallucinations. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
  4. Ramzan M, et al. Headache, migraine, and stroke. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
  5. Bajwa ZH, et al. Acute treatment of migraine in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
  6. Migraine - What are the treatments? American Academy of Neurology. http://www.thebrainmatters.org/index.cfm?key=1.9.6 1/. Accessed Jan. 12, 2009.
  7. Bajwa ZH, et al. Preventive treatment of migraine in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
  8. Swanson JW (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Jan. 15, 2009.
  9. Tinel D, et al. Vertebrobasilar ischemia after cervical spine manipulation: A case report. Annales de readaptation et de medecine physique 208;51:403.
  10. Haldeman S, et al. Stroke, cerebral artery dissection, and cervical spine manipulation therapy. Journal of Neurology. 2002;249:1098.

DS00908

March 3, 2009

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