Why does vomiting stop a migraine attack?

Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2013 Sep;17(9):362. doi: 10.1007/s11916-013-0362-7.

Abstract

Migraine is commonly associated with nausea and vomiting, though, interestingly, vomiting has also been reported by some patients to be therapeutic, and may actually stop a migraine attack. In this review, we will first discuss the epidemiology of nausea and vomiting in migraine. Further, we will briefly review the connections between the enteric nervous system, the autonomic nervous system, and the central nervous system as they pertain to understanding the question of "Why does vomiting stop a migraine attack?"

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Autonomic Nervous System / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Migraine Disorders / complications*
  • Migraine Disorders / physiopathology*
  • Vomiting / epidemiology
  • Vomiting / etiology*
  • Vomiting / physiopathology*