What Are the Causes of Migraine Headaches & Interstitial Cystitis?

Migraine headaches cause significant levels of pain that often lasts for several hours or days. Interstitial cystitis, or painful bladder syndrome, causes pain and pressure in the bladder and pelvis. Migraines and interstitial cystitis usually have different causes.

Migraine Causes

• According to the Mayo Clinic, causes for migraine headaches include nerve changes that effect a patient’s perception of pain. Levels of serotonin drop in the brain during migraines and this can result in heightened pain sensations in the outer covering of the brain called the meninges.

Migraine Triggers

• Migraine sufferers often have medical or environmental triggers that bring on a migraine attack such as stress, sleep changes or weather changes. Common triggers include alcohol, cheese and chocolate, sensory stimuli such as bright lights, loud sounds and unusual smells and fluctuations in estrogen hormones can cause migraine headaches.

Migraine Risk Factors

• Women, people under the age of 40 and individuals with a family history of migraines have an increased risk of developing migraine headaches.

Interstitial Cystitis Causes

• According to the Mayo Clinic, interstitial cystitis often results from a mix-up in signals that the bladder sends to the brain regarding the need to urinate. Individuals with this disorder may also have a defect in the bladder’s protective lining that can permit toxic substances in urine to irritate the bladder wall.

Interstitial Cystitis Risk Factors

• Interstitial cystitis commonly presents in people between the ages of 30 and 50 and in women. Individuals with irritable bowel syndrome or fibromyalgia may have an increased risk of developing interstitial cystitis.