Migraines are no longer considered as benign as they once were, according to a study released Wednesday.
The study, which was published in the journal of Neurology, provided strong evidence that suggest people who have a history of migraine headaches are also at a higher risk of developing brain lesions and as such may result in permanent brain changes.
"Traditionally, migraine has been considered a benign disorder without long-term consequences for the brain. Our review and meta-analysis study suggests that the disorder may permanently alter brain structure in multiple ways," said the study's author, Dr. Messoud Ashina of the University of Copenhagen.
According to the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, migraine headaches differ from other headaches in that they are usually more severe and often cause a throbbing and pounding pain.
The CDC also confirmed that women experience migraine far more often than men.
The researchers involved with the study used 18 brain studies. Six of which were classified as population-based while the other 13 were classified as clinical ones.
"People who experience migraines with auras are 68 percent more likely to develop lesions on the brains and other associated problems," the study authors confirmed.
