If you’ve ever suffered from migraine headaches, then you know how bad of a condition it can be. Lots of different factors can cause a migraine, but there are several common triggers among sufferers.
Find out what you can do to ease the pain with this quick guide on migraine headaches.
It’s very important to understand what causes your migraines, and it’s even more important to know what you can do to get some relief.
Migraines are a form of chronic headache that can occur frequently throughout a person’s life. Headaches caused by this primary headache disorder can range from mild to very severe. Symptoms can last from a few minutes to a few days without stopping. The headache usually affects only one section of the head and is often accompanied by a pulsating pain. Migraine headaches can cause vomiting and light sensitivity. In some cases, sufferers become sensitive to sound and smell. Nearly 30% of migraine sufferers experience a distortion of their vision before the headache starts.
There’s no way to pinpoint the exact cause of migraines, but it’s believed to be linked to genetics. Over half of the chronic migraine cases documented have had a family history of chronic headaches. It’s thought that the environment can also play a role. Some studies may show that changes in the level of hormones present in sufferers can be linked to headaches associated with migraines. The risk of symptoms significantly decreases during pregnancies and after menopause. It’s estimated that up to 15% of the global population may be affected by some form of migraine headaches in their lifetime.
There are many possible triggers that have been reported over the years from medical studies concerning migraine headaches. A significant number of the specific assumed triggers may be linked to stress brought on by fatigue. That could include a lack of sleep or food. Hormone changes in women during their menstrual cycle have also been linked to chronic migraine headaches. There’s no conclusive evidence to show that poor indoor air quality may trigger a migraine headache, but it’s often suggested that sufferers take precautions to ensure that their home is ventilated properly.
There is no cure for chronic migraines, but there are several medications on the market that your doctor may be able to prescribe to you. Medications must have caused at least a 50% reduction in the severity of the condition to be considered effective from a medical standpoint. The effectiveness of any medication will vary by the patient, so you may need to try a few before you find out which ones work best for your specific situation.
Most natural treatments are not scientifically proven, but magnesium may be an exception to that. Some research has shown that an increase in magnesium may reduce the frequency of migraines in adults. It may also be able to effectively treat migraines when they occur. Magnesium supplements can be purchased fairly cheaply at almost any retail store that sells dietary supplements.
Many stores bought pain medication that can have surprisingly positive results in pain reduction from migraine headaches. Although, it may not be very useful for someone who suffers from more severe migraines. Over the counter nausea medication can be very helpful for those who suffer from vomiting associated with migraines. Be sure to follow the recommended dosage from any medications you take, and consult with a doctor before any long term use.
Your doctor will most likely start you out on a less potent medication to see what kind of results you’ll get from it. It’s very common for people who have migraines headaches to switch medications several times when they are first diagnosed. This is because everyone reacts differently to treatment, and circumstances may change as you get older. Adult females are far more likely to suffer migraines than men, but they tend to suffer less after menopause. The opposite may be true for men. An adult male will be more likely to develop severe symptoms as they grow older. It’s very important for you to keep a diary of your headaches so that you’ll know how much your symptoms are reduced. You may need to change medications at some point, so always pay close attention to the frequency of your migraines.
There is a wide range of symptoms associated with migraine headaches. Some people may experience visual distortions known as auras. Others might experience less pain in a darkened room than in a brightly lit room. There are numerous examples of symptoms associated with varying degrees of severity. That's why it’s crucial to understand that migraines come in all shapes and sizes. These symptoms may be associated with other conditions as well. It’s best to speak with a licensed medical doctor instead of self-diagnosing. There could be more serious underlying conditions that cause the same symptoms as migraines.
Tension headaches are generally a mild form of headaches that are accompanied by feelings of tightness around the skull. The cause of chronic tension headaches are not well understood, but the symptoms are very different from chronic migraines. Tension headaches typically cause a dull pain, and may also cause tenderness in the muscles around the neck. Nausea is not a common symptom, and visual distortions are typically not associated with tension headaches. Although both chronic forms of these conditions may occur up to 15 days out of each month, the severity is much worse with chronic migraine headaches.
If any of these symptoms match your experiences, then you might be suffering from migraines. Keep in mind that migraines are not always accompanied by pain, and your symptoms may vary entirely. The only way to know for sure is to speak with your doctor. Be sure to keep a record of the frequency of your headaches, and let your doctor know which medications work best for you.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional consultation or advice related to your health or finances. No reference to an identifiable individual or company is intended as an endorsement thereof. Some or all of this article may have been generated using artificial intelligence, and it may contain certain inaccuracies or unreliable information. Readers should not rely on this article for information and should consult with professionals for personal advice.