Nuchal cord, Migraine, Stroke. A Biological Destiny?

I have another theory for you ATS, which I wish to share. I'm sure you have seen in the news recently the latest discovery in regards to migraines, that being it is caused by a defective gene. This may certainly be the case or at least a contributing factor for the majority of sufferers.

Perhaps those with this particular genetic predisposition are much more likely to develop migraines throughout their life, when they come into contact with their personalised environmental triggers for the illness. But are there much more tangible foundations for the illness, and can it really lead to higher risk of stroke later in life? These are the questions I will attempt to answer, using material freely available on the internet, combined with my own thoughts.

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So let's start with the nuchal cord, quite an appropriate beginning I think you'll agree. This is a condition which affects roughly one in three newborns during childbirth. In the majority of cases this is easily resolved by an obstetrician, who can slip the cord back over the baby’s neck and continue the delivery of the child naturally.

However there are a small number of cases in which the cord is too tightly wrapped around the neck of the unborn child, essentially starving it of oxygen. This can require emergency surgery depending on the method of detection used. For example if the nuchal cord is detected during a routine ultrasound in labour, and the unborn child shows tell tale signs of distress, an emergency C-section may be the only option. In either case, it will almost certainly result in specialist post natal care, and potentially resuscitation.

The effects of Hypoxia (oxygen starvation) are often not immediately apparent in such cases, but it is well documented in medical journals that brain damage can occur as a result, effecting the child’s development. Such effects of Hypoxia are wide ranging as you can imagine, and essentially depend on the length of time that the tight nuchal cord occurred. Effects range from bone marrow defects to increased autistic traits such as impaired social development. These effects sometimes only become apparent later in life, and this is where my theory begins to emerge.

But before I continue with the thread I think we should look at some background into the physiology of migraines and a few statistics, I have also linked in a few of the news articles about the latest discoveries regarding the illness. Below are some statistics from the Migraine Action Association.

1.1 in 7 people in the UK suffer from migraine.
2. Migraine affects twice as many women as men.
3. Migraine affects people from all age groups (even young children) and all social classes.
4. Migraine costs the UK around £17 billion per annum.
5. The World Health Organisation has classified headache as a major health disorder and has rated migraine amongst the top 20 most disabling lifetime conditions.
6. A migraine attack can last for between 4 and 72 hours.
7. Sufferers experience an average of 13 attacks each year.
8. Migraine is more than just a headache. Other symptoms can include:
• Visual disturbances (flashing lights, blind spots in the vision, zig zag patterns etc.)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
• Sensitivity to noise (phonophobia)
• Sensitivity to smells (osmophobia)
• tingling / pins and needles / weakness / numbness in the limbs.
9. Around 60% of sufferers never consult their G.P. because they mistakenly think that nothing can be done to help them. There is a wide range of effective treatments now available including new products introduced during the past year.
10. Migraine is triggered by a huge variety of factors not just cheese, chocolate and red wine! For most people there is not just one trigger but a combination of factors which individually can be tolerated but when they all occur together a threshold is passed and a migraine is triggered.

Migraine News;

www.bbc.co.uk...
www.guardian.co.uk...

Migraine headaches result from a combination of blood vessel enlargement and the release of chemicals from nerve fibres that coil around these blood vessels. During the headache, an artery enlarges that is located on the outside of the skull just under the skin of the temple (temporal artery). This causes a release of chemicals that cause inflammation, pain, and further enlargement of the artery. This is apparently due to the Trigeminal nerve and this is the key to understanding the illness. It is the abnormal sensory modulation by the Trigeminal nerve which causes the severe swelling of surrounding arteries.





Is it possible that during a nuchal cord birth, particularly the longer lasting and more dangerous kind, that permanent damage is sustained by the blood vessels and therefore most importantly the trigeminal nerve? I don't think this is too much of a stretch for the imagination, in fact more than that, I believe this to be the case.

During a tight nuchal cord event, the blood is essentially trapped in the brain by the umbilical cord acting as a one way valve. The newborn’s face will turn from bright red and eventually blue as the blood pools continuously. This is due to the deoxygenated blood being prevented from adequately returning from the brain, and the severe reduction of oxygenated blood reaching it.

In turn this leads to swelling of the brain and the main arteries carrying blood to it, such as the temporal artery. This could cause damage to the Trigeminal nerve at a very early stage in development as it is the main junction where the three areas which the Trigeminal nerve controls come together. This I believe increases the risk of problems in the future. Modern treatments for migraine are now taking the form of muscle relaxants and this is most likely the future treatment for such debilitating headaches.

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/c6ee9d310d78.png[/atsimg]

The pesky Trigeminal Nerve is highlighted in yellow

As I am sure you have heard there has been the recent suggestion that injections with Botox can help alleviate migraine in the most severe of cases. However this study is still in it's infancy as it is not known at this point exactly why the treatment works. If I was to hazard a guess as a layman, I would say it is because the Botox acts as a tissue relaxant which prevents the blood vessel enlargement from getting out of control. So the various nerve endings of the greater Trigeminal nerve are still hyper sensitive and firing away, but the associated swelling is prevented.

That is to say the tissue around the blood vessels is more relaxed and softer, therefore blood flows smoothly along the channels preventing the swelling from impacting on the surrounding coiled nerves, or at least to the standard degree. You can see how this ties into the damage caused by nuchal cord, as the blood vessels would have swollen to a considerable degree and thus surrounding would have been impacted on.

The link between migraine and stroke is better documented and has been the subject of several well funded studies, the theory is widely accepted today. For this part I am going to provide some information compiled by someone much better at this subject.

Now, an interesting paper has been published that pulls together data from 14 studies, correlating and analyzing the data to offer a more conclusive overall picture. "Risk of ischaemic stroke in people with migraine: systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies" uses data from studies conducted between 1966 and June of 2004, that examined the association between migraine and risk of ischemic stroke.

• The averaged risk of stroke for all Migraineurs was 2.16 times that of people without Migraine.
• Migraineurs who experience Migraine with and without aura had 2.27 and 1.83 times the risk factor of that of non-Migraineurs.
• Adding oral contraceptives resulted in increasing the risk of stroke by approximately eight times.

At this point I should state, for any troubled readers, that the absolute risk of stroke amongst migraine sufferers is still very low, but higher than the average Joe. Clearly we can see that the theory is gaining ground amongst the medical community and the various migraine associations. What is particularly interesting here is the apparently increased link between migraine with aura in the prodromal stage, and increased future stroke risk.

The aura is believed to be caused by our old friend the Trigeminal nerve firing, as it is responsible for processing stimuli from the facial region, this excessive firing can produce visual affects which act as a forewarning that a migraine is about to take hold. A premonition, just as the migraine itself may be a premonition of the stroke later in life.

Having experienced 2 out of three of this unfortunate progression, I have to wonder what the future will hold. Am I now physiologically predisposed to suffer the final blow so to speak? Only time will tell I suppose, in the mean time it is more than enough motivation to eat healthily and get plenty of exercise. If I am going to avoid this biological destiny it may be my only choice.

For anyone who made it to this point many thanks I greatly appreciate it! If you have any question about this theory I have plenty more to write about, and I am happy to try and answer them.

Links and references;

www.migraine.org.uk...
www.medicalnewstoday.com...
www.relieve-migraine-headache.com...
headaches.about.com...
www.emedicinehealth.com...
news.bbc.co.uk...
hcd2.bupa.co.uk...

I don't usually post my anecdotes in these forums as evidence of anything, however....

I used to suffer from minor migraines on a monthly basis and typical headaches on an almost daily basis until I eliminated processed foods. I noticed the biggest difference when I stopped drinking sodas.

Sure, it could simply be coincidental and there may be plenty of other reasons why. But I noticed a host of issues clear up quickly; issues with which I'd been inflicted for years.

reply to post by Big Raging Loner


HI,

I used to suffer from migranes - flickering lights, headache, pounding headaches and then sickness - this as a pre teenager. Had enough of it so the solution?

The minute the onset (for me) the flickering started just ignore it and focus on life.... And guess what? Never suffered since (I'm now 60).

So many people give in - maybe they ought to actually fight. Oh and doctors and drugs - can't even tell you the last time I've seen one - maybe 10 or 12 years ago.... Why? because I don't believe in them nor the crap that they prescribe... Belief in onself is far stronger.

Suggest people read up about placebos...!

Peace!

reply to post by The Wave


Hello thanks for the replies folks! The Wave I wish I could share your optimism about my own headaches but recently since I stepped up swim training they have been quite bad. Something to do with holding my breath for long periods of time I'll bet! Anyway I am glad you have been able to eliminate your own headaches, but are you sure they were proper migraine attacks? I would love to be able to distract myself from them. What I find I have is two options when I get the aura, to prevent a full scale attack coming on. Either eat lots of high energy food, or go to bed and sleep. Wreaks havoc with your schedule though, because if I am at work, that narrows down my options...

DevolutionEvolvd no doubt cutting out processed food is a safe bet, even for those who have never had I migraine. Particularly processed meat is very bad for digestion, and I believe has been linked to higher rates of colon cancer later in life, the same goes for charred meat. I have also recently completely removed all artificial sweeteners from my diet, in particular that Aspartame stuff, it's seriously bad news, if you are concerned about your health I suggest cutting it out too. You won't regret it!

reply to post by Big Raging Loner


Hi,

Apologies for the late reply - have been totally bewildered by the 6th of November threads! (Joking)

Well re miagrane - as an youngster I used to first see wavering lights - that is my vision seemed to be partially lost, then a headache and then felt at though someone was hitting me over the head with a hammer. Used to lay down in the dark (but eyes closed the flickerring and headache would continue). Eventually would rise and felt sick....

Around the age of 20 when I experienced the initial 'symptoms' decided enough was enough and despite the 'flickering' just continued (took an effort) on doing what I was doing. After maybe 15 minutes the flickering stopped and no head ache

That said, after one or two (or three....) beers often experience some of the same symptoms but not quite sure how to fight it....apart from stopping drinking....!

Sorry about my views on doctors and drugs but really think too many people look for placebos when the answer is within themselves.

As you said - maybe you are pushing yourself too much? I have a mate in Oz who could have been a swimmer to Olympic standards - he trained every day but now (he is older than I if that's possble) is suffering from circulation problems - too much cold water. Be careful!

Peace!

reply to post by The Wave


Hey Wave thanks for the reply sorry about my lateness too, I only rediscovered the thread via a new news story. I have a few circulation problems and recently a bad ear infection due to the swimming

But still back on form now. You are just right to be cautious about doctors and medicines, as they are not for messing around with. You might find this article interesting from today, it suggests that certain antidepressants could be used to stave off migraine attacks. I think I already know what your response will be but it's still an interesting read. In particular his interpretations of visions experienced by ancients.

www.abovetopsecret.com...

reply to post by Big Raging Loner


Hi!

I have indeed been following you latest thread on this - really interesting but as you have just posted....you know what my reply is likely to be! BTW I've just has to register and have an assessment with a doctor and immediately they discovered one of my blood pressure readings is too low - hell they should have measured it anytime whilst I was working - it would have been off the upper end of the scale...

Pleased you are back on form and seriously watch the water - my mate really has blue fingers even when it is realtively mild - maybe I should start calling him 'Avatar'?

Peace!

reply to post by The Wave


Jake Sully style!

Tell your friend to check up Raynaud's Syndrome too. I have problems with this myself... Between these two threads you would think I was an old croc!

What Is Raynaud's Phenomenon?
Raynaud's is a disorder that affects the blood vessels in the fingers, toes, ears, and nose. This disorder is characterised by episodic attacks, called vasospastic attacks, that cause the blood vessels in the fingers and toes to constrict. Raynaud's can occur on its own, or it can be secondary to another condition such as scleroderma or lupus.

www.medic8.com...