The One Thing Every Migraine Sufferer Should Know by Aviva Patz (Article Sample)

Article Summary and Critique: ‘The One Thing Every Migraine Sufferer Should Know’ by Aviva Patz
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Article Summary and Critique: ‘The One Thing Every Migraine Sufferer Should Know’ by Aviva Patz
Published on the 7th of May, 2015, the article ‘The One Thing Every Migraine Sufferer Should Know’ by Aviva Patz seeks to outline the relationship between migraine headaches and ischemic stroke in women under the age of 45. In its analysis, Aviva goes into the depths of explicating the various causes of each of the conditions and the possibilities that link the two. She also outlines common life habits that would increase the risks including medications and the consumption and use of various substances. It is clear that the article is well analyzed and presented with outstanding facts. Despite the fact that the author’s source of information is well researched and academically reliable, she would have depended on more publications on migraines and ischemic stroke to establish clearer links between the same.
Based on the report from a research study by José Biller and Michael Star, the first three paragraphs focus on the primary risks that heighten the chances of migraine sufferers developing stroke related complications. Aviva notes that such risks are twice higher in migraine cases in which patients experience flashes of light, bright spots, and blind spots. She goes ahead to exemplify that the risks increase with some lifestyle trends and habits. The first two outstanding habits encompass primary and secondary smoking as well as the use of oral contraceptives. These have specific effects on women within ages below 45 years. Thus, the major factors involved in this case include gender, age limit, smoking, and the utilization of oral contraceptives. However, the author clarifies that combining two or three of these elements worsen the situation by increasing the risk substantially.
The next two paragraphs seek to explain possible links between migraine and stroke. Although no one has discovered this relationship, Biller and Star opine that many possibilities could play a role in this link. First is the possibility of a genetic link that increases vulnerability to either of the conditions. This is followed by the probability that some drugs that treat migraine may bear the potential of increasing the risks of stroke. Again, there is a link between risk factors for heart diseases and those for stroke. The authors believe people suffering migraines might have similar risk factors for heart diseases. During migraines, most patients undergo cortical spreading depression (CSD); a seizure like phenomenon that may also have links to risk factors for stroke. Thus, the authors seek to link these listed factors to the relationship between migraines and stroke.
In the last paragraph, Aviva concludes by identifying the need to make the 25 to 45 million women who suffer from migraines in the US and health care professionals dealing with them aware of these risks. She provides recommendations that affected personalities can use in coping with these conditions. F...