![]() ![]() This is where things can get a little confusing. Thus, “vision” can be broken down into two major components-detection via the eyes and processing via the brain. The electrical signals must travel from the eyes all the way to the vision-processing center of the brain called the occipital cortex, which is actually located in the back-most part of the brain.Īt this point, the brain compiles the information gathered from the millions of photoreceptors (stimulated and non-stimulated) to create an image. They then send electrical signals via axons to neurons within the brain via the visual pathway. When there is light, certain photoreceptors become stimulated. Photoreceptors are located in the backmost layer of the eye called the retina. ![]() ![]() More specifically, the eyes contain special light-detecting cells called photoreceptors. Vision, therefore, is a neurological process that involves both the detection of light, transmission of signals, and processing of this information within a different part of the brain. This being said, the eyes are actually an extension of the brain, which means neurons are also found in the eyes. There is no rhyme or reason as to why the neurons become hyper-stimulated in migraine attacks, however there are some well – known triggers associated with migraines including stress, spicy foods, bright lights, hormones, chocolate, and even certain smells!Īs mentioned above, migraines can occur and therefore affect any given neuron, which means they can occur in any part of the brain. Where the pain occurs depends on which neurons are hyper-stimulated. ![]() Often times, this process occurs quickly, resulting in an intense localized pain within the brain best known as a migraine headache. When these blood vessels dilate, they press on surrounding nerves, which is then perceived as pain. This rapid firing of neurons causes nearby blood vessels to dilate, temporarily enlarging the size of the blood vessels in that area of the brain. These neurons are responsible for every little thing the body does-small movements, big movements, a thought, the perception of a flash light, a taste, the human perception of life is literally just combinations of different neurons firing to create different actions.Ī migraine occurs when a set of neurons becomes hyper-stimulated, firing at a heighten rate. This being said, there are over 86 billion neurons in the brain. For example, when a certain set of neurons in the brain fire, the right index finger will twitch. When a stimulus is strong enough, it causes an action potential which fires the neuron and its consequential function ensues. Neurons function through stimulation and generation of electrical impulses called action potentials.Īction potentials are an all-or-nothing response. Neurons are responsible for our senses (detecting touch, pain, smells, tastes, sight, etc.), motor skills, and overall relay of information for comprehension and processing. Neurons have branches called axons which can transmit information, when stimulated, to and from other neurons in a matter of microseconds. Within the brain, we have billions of specialized informational transmitting cells called neurons. Migraines are a phenomenon isolated to the brain. What on earth just happened? Is something serious going on?īelieve it or not, you may have just experienced an ocular migraine! But what exactly is an ocular migraine, and why do they occur?īefore getting into the nitty-gritty details regarding ocular migraines, it may be helpful to have an understanding of what migraines are in general. Then phenomenon then expands to encompass a greater area of your vision before slowly dissipating and your vision returns to normal. Immediately, you begin to panic, thinking you’re having a stroke or losing your vision all together. Nothing you do helps the situation, reading glasses, rubbing your eyes, artificial tears-the words are just blurred out, almost as if they never existed. You are sitting at home one quiet Sunday afternoon reading the paper, and suddenly the words you are trying to read blur. ![]()
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