Migraine Headaches

Although experienced by more than 29.5 million Americans, most people still do not understand what migraines are all about. According to the National Headache Foundation (NHF), some of the most commonly-held myths about this debilitating disorder include:

Myth: Migraines are just bad headaches.

Fact: Migraines are a debilitating illness that affects 13% of the population. More than just a “bad headache,” migraine sufferers also experience a multitude of residual effects from that may include: severe nausea; pain and weakness in the head, face, neck, and shoulders; and sensitivity to light and sound, and even mood swings and depression. Attacks may last for hours, or days, and prevent the sufferer from going to work, attending classes, or basically completing normal daily tasks at home, work or school.

Myth: Caffeine cannot help relieve a migraine.

Fact: The effects of caffeine on migraines have been studied extensively, and the results are surprising: while caffeine is a trigger for some sufferers, it does seem to help alleviate symptoms in others. The best way to determine what caffeine will have on a specific sufferer, it is recommended that they keep a detailed food diary to determine its effect, either positive or negative.

Myth: Migraines are not triggered by stress,

Fact: Stress has been proven to trigger migraines in a vast majority of sufferers. Stress can be physical or emotional, and both can trigger migraines. It is believed that migraine sufferers have highly sensitized brains, which, during stressful periods, release certain chemicals that provoke the vascular change in the brain that causes the pain and other symptoms associated with migraines. Stress factors may include anxiety, worry, physical exertion, depression, excitement and mental fatigue.

Myth: Exercise Doesn’t Do Anything To Help Prevent Migraines

Fact: Many chronic migraine sufferers report that undergoing a regular exercise routine seems to help alleviate (or at least lesson) symptoms, while others noticed an increase in attacks when participating in sports or other physical exertion. If exercise or physical strain induce a headache, it is important to check with your healthcare provider to determine what other activities you can enjoy in order to remain fit and healthy.

Myth: Dietary Supplements Don’t Help in Treating Migraines

Fact: There are several vitamins that have been proven to help prevent and treat migraine headaches. They include:

Magnesium - which helps relax blood vessels, and decrease the severity and occurrence of migraines.

Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) - Assists nerve cells in producing higher levels of ATP, which has been linked to reversing a cells “energy crisis” during an attack.

Myth: Sleep does not affect migraines

Fact: A lack of sleep has been proven to cause the onset of migraine symptoms. The best remedy: go to sleep at the same time every night, also waking at the same time every day, in order to maintain a natural circadian rhythm in the body.

Myth: Migraine headaches are not hereditary

Fact: Unfortunately, the odds are if someone in your family suffers with a migraine disorder, so will you. The child of a migraine sufferer has a 50% chance of having them, and if both parents suffer with migraines, their children have a 75% chance of the same. Even distant relatives who experience migraines may increase a person’s chance of being affected. Almost 20 percent of all sufferers report an aunt, uncle, cousin , or other relative who also experience migraine symptoms on a regular basis.

Suffering from migraine headaches can be difficult to deal with, but learning more about what causes them, and ways to both prevent and treat them can aid a patient in dealing with their physical and emotional effects.

A migraine can be disabling — with symptoms so severe, all you can think about is finding a dark, quiet place to lie down. Up to 17 percent of women and 6 percent of men have experienced a migraine.

More than 29.5 million Americans suffer from migraine, with women being affected three times more often than men. This vascular headache is most commonly experienced between the ages of 15 and 55, and 70% to 80% of sufferers have a family history of migraine. Less than half of all migraine sufferers have received a diagnosis of migraine from their healthcare provider. Migraine is often misdiagnosed as sinus headache or tension-type headache.

Causes of Migraine

Foods. Certain foods appear to trigger headaches in some people. Common offenders include alcohol, especially beer and red wine; aged cheeses; chocolate; fermented, pickled or marinated foods; aspartame; overuse of caffeine; monosodium glutamate — a key ingredient in some Asian foods; certain seasonings; and many canned and processed foods. Skipping meals or fasting also can trigger migraines.

Sensory stimuli. Bright lights and sun glare can produce head pain. So can unusual smells — including pleasant scents, such as perfume and flowers, and unpleasant odors, such as paint thinner and secondhand smoke.

A migraine begins when, for some reason, blood vessels in the brain narrow (constrict) temporarily. When that happens, the amount of blood and oxygen flowing to the brain drops. So the brain sends a message: “Hey guys, we need some more blood and oxygen here!”

Until recently, the general theory on the migraine process rested solely on the idea that abnormalities of blood vessel (vascular) systems in the head were responsible for migraines.

Symptoms of Migraine

Intense throbbing or dull aching pain on one side of your head or both sides.

Migraines typically begin in childhood, adolescence or early adulthood and may become less frequent and less intense as you grow older. In addition to physical suffering, severe headaches often mean missed school days and trips to the emergency department, as well as lost work time for anxious parents.

Most experts now agree that the term migraine should be used to refer to a chronic, recurrent neurological condition resulting in periodic attacks of head pain rather than the headache.

Changes in how a person sees, including blurred vision or blind spots, zig-zags of light or light flashes

Treatment of Migraine

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved three over-the-counter products to treat migraine. Excedrin® Migraine (a combination of aspirin, acetaminophen and caffeine) is indicated for migraine and its associated symptoms. Advil® Migraine and Motrin® Migraine Pain, both ibuprofen medications, are approved to treat migraine headache and its pain.

Ergots. Ergotamine (Ergomar) has been in use for more than 60 years and was a common prescription for migraine before triptans were introduced. Ergotamine is much less expensive, but also less effective, than triptans. Dihydroergotamine is an ergot derivative that is more effective and has fewer side effects than ergotamine.

Drug names and migraine headache treatments availability vary widely from the USA and UK. Migraine headache treatments fall into two broad categories: first with migraine treatments are analgesics and analgesic combinations and, secondly, migraine-specific therapies, such as the triptans, ergotamine and dihydroergotamine. Many of these are available only on prescription but there is a variety of therapeutic options available over the counter (OTC) and pharmacists can often advise patients about these.

Beta blockers (e.g., propranolol [Inderal®], atenolol [Tenormin®]) are the preferred medications. These drugs produce an effect on heart rate. They should not be taken by patients with asthma and should be used with caution in patients with diabetes.

Chronic migraines are a disorder in which a person will experience at least fifteen migraines or more each month. Even though both migraines and headaches generate in the head, they are nothing alike. Even the smallest degree of light and noise can be extremely intolerable. Intense nausea is even common in a migraine. While the migraine begins in the brain, it usually sweeps through its victim’s body, causing both physical and emotional torture. Migraines can begin at any age and continue throughout a person’s life. Conversely, migraines can end as suddenly as they began without a known reason for their onset or final episode. However, it is often possible to target some of the migraine triggers and prevent or at least minimize their frequency. A physician will often ask a migraine patient to keep a journal of their diet and other routines they perform each day. This helps to target any allergies or lifestyle patterns that may be causing or contributing to the onset of a migraine. Be aware and pay attention to your lifestyle, as it adds possible clues to the reason you are experiencing migraines in the first place.

Many of us who have been suffering from acute migraine headaches for years have tried various medicines, with none of which seeming to be very effective. However, there are natural alternatives for treating this immense pain. Although the specific causes of migraines are still unknown, the main contributing factor seems to involve blood flow instability in the brain. When the arteries constrict, a rebound dilation follows, bringing on the migraine. There are other contributing factors including heredity, alcohol consumption, monosodium glutamate (MSG), emotion stress, hormonal changes, birth control pills, fatigue, chocolate, cheese, citrus and cured meats. Migraines are usually treated through drug therapy, but there are often considerable side effects. There are alternative methods for treatment, which include dietary changes such as avoiding chocolate, cheese, citrus fruits, shellfish, and alcohol, all of which contain amines that can cause the brain vessels to constrict. Low blood sugar can also be a contributor to migraines. By eating several small meals, blood sugar swings can be inhibited. Avoiding aspartame, which is found in NutraSweet, is also helpful because this particular chemical has been shown to be a migraine inducer in various studies. Additionally, some nutritional supplements are recommended including Ginkgo biloba and feverfew. These two herbs deliver oxygen to the brain cells while serving as powerful antioxidants. Omega-3 fatty acids can also be used to treat the most severe migraines because the brain itself is comprised of these fatty acids. Hormone imbalances can be restored with essential fatty acids like Omega-3. Recent research has determined that magnesium deficiencies are also linked to migraines. By taking a magnesium supplement, you can alleviate this problem. Be sure to take calcium with magnesium supplement for maximum absorption. Additionally, biofeedback is recommended by many experts, in which you learn to relax muscles and control blood vessels. Stress may also be a big trigger, so look for ways to reduce the physical and mental stress linked with migraines.

When a child has problems with migraine headache, they tend to look very sick when they are having and while recovering. They will avoid bright lights and loud noises. They also may complain of seeing “light” or “fuzziness”. This is called an “aura” and often comes along with a migraine. Nausea accompanies migraines many times and doesn’t usually let up until the child vomits and is able to sleep. They may feel dizzy and off balance. A good, heavy sleep is usually necessary for the migraine to ease away.

When the child is brought to the doctor, the first tests done will be to make sure there is not an underlying physical condition causing the migraines. Treatments for migraines include finding and eliminating “triggers” (the cause, if known) and taking some medication the doctor will prescribe. These are preventives and pain relievers.

Migraines come and go intermittently. A child may have several within a few days’ time or go for weeks without having a migraine. They are supposed to be harmless as there are no studies showing they have long term impact on health. But the fact of the matter is they are so painful that leaving them undiagnosed and treated really isn’t an option when you don’t want to see your child suffer. They can be debilitating in that it is impossible to participate in any activities during an episode. This affects thinking processes as well.

Five to ten percent of children get migraines and continue to have them throughout their teen years and into adulthood. Some people are lucky enough to experience a remission of the problem. This is when they go away without any definitive reason.

A child aged 2 and up that has a migraine will hold their stomach and look for a place to hide where there are no noises and lights. They will probably vomit. When they fall asleep, they sleep very deeply and are much better on waking. Children experience more symptoms than most adults. Their symptoms also include sweating, swelling, thirst, tearing, dark circles under the eyes, diarrhea and an excessive amount of urinating.

Early intervention is key to helping a child with migraine cope with the problem. With the right medications and attention to allergies, there is no reason a child should experience more than a few milder attacks.

When it comes to migraine triggers, sometimes it’s not so much what you do as what you don’t do. Below is a list of the top migraine triggers and further information on them. As always, make sure you consult your physician before changing diet or implementing new methods to relieve migraine headaches.

1. FOOD - Be selective in what and when you eat. Food is a primary migraine trigger. Studies show that a majority of migraines are triggered by food and food additives. Foods to monitor include aged cheeses, chocolate, lunchmeats and hot dogs that contain the food additive nitrate, as well as foods high in monosodium glutamate (MSG). Build up of nitric oxide in the blood stream is a major cause of migraine headaches.

2. EXCESSIVE CAFFEINE - Caffeine in high does can be a major migraine trigger. More than 6-8 oz of a beverage containing caffeine may be considered excessive for migraine sufferers. Do not drink caffeine if you know it causes migraine attacks in your case.

3. SMOKE - Cigarette smoke or other, whether directly inhaled or secondhand, is a top migraine trigger and should be avoided whenever possible.

4. VISUAL STIMULATION - Sudden contrasts between light and dark or exposure to bright lights, can trigger migraine headaches. TV and computer monitors will frequently cause migraines if the surrounding light and the light from the monitor(s) is too bright.

5. HIGH STRESS LEVELS - Stress levels contribute greatly to migraines. While it’s almost impossible to avoid stress it is possible to decrease it.

6. DOUBLING UP ON PAINKILLERS - If the recommended dose isn’t effective in relieving your migraine headaches, don’t increase the dose otherwise using more than the recommended dose of prescription and/or OTC(over the counter) medications can result in a rebound headache amongst other complications. Consult your Doctor frequently and let him or her know if the prescription or OTC medication isn’t working.

7.IRREGULAR SCHEDULES - Try to go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time. Regular sleep patterns have been found to be very effective in combating migraines.

8. LACK OF EXERCISE - Exercise can help with migraines. It is an established fact that physical fitness in general helps prevent migraines. However, warming up before exercise is strongly recommended otherwise it may lead to build up of nitric oxide in the bloodstream and precipitate an attack.

9. LACK OF COMMUNICATION WITH YOUR DOCTOR - Keep your physician informed of your migraine headaches and communicate with him or her often, especially if they get worse. Keeping a diary or journal is also a good idea so you can enter details such as when attacks usually occur, what causes the attacks, which prescription or OTC medications are effective, what non drug remedies help.

By keeping a diary or journal you may get a clearer picture on what works and what doesn’t and communicating this information to your Doctor may enable him or her to use a different approach in treating your migraine headaches.

The most common symptom of a migraine headache is an acute throbbing pain which is normally located on just one side of the head near to the area of the temple. Unlike normal headaches, migraines are also often accompanied by other symptoms which include sensitivity to light and noise, nausea and sometimes vomiting.

Migraines are fairly common and affect about 10% of the population of the United States, or in excess of 28 million Americans. They are also far more commonly seen in women than in men (about three times as many women suffer from migraine) and can also be found occasionally in children.

Although migraines are so common and often very painful with attacks lasting anywhere from a few hours to two or three days, only about 50% of all sufferers ever consult their physician and the remainder choose to suffer in silence.

It had long been thought these headaches were caused by a of dilation of the blood vessels in the head but, although there is no general consensus, medical opinion seems to be moving away from this theory in favor of a genetic cause for this condition. Current thinking is that the condition results from the interaction of certain brain chemicals, such as serotonin, with the nerve cells. At this time however the truth is that we really do not know what cause migraines.

There are in fact two different forms of the condition, the first of which is referred to as ‘classical migraine’, which is characterized by an associated ‘aura’. In this case the term ‘aura’ is used to refer to visual light effects which are experienced immediately prior to the onset of a headache including such things as bright light spots and flashing lights. In a few people a complete loss of vision can be experienced for a few minutes before the arrival of the headache.

The second form of the condition is simply a migraine without the prior symptoms of an ‘aura’.

Just as we do not really know what causes a migraine, so too we have very little idea about just what triggers an attack, although there are a number of factors which do seem likely to trigger an attack in sufferers. For example, getting too much sleep appears to be one factor, as does skipping meals or eating certain types of food like cheese.

Hormonal factors are also thought to influence both the onset and severity of attacks and one piece of evidence for this is the higher incidence of migraines among women. This in part is thought to be because estrogen affects the blood vessels and it has been noted in some studies that there is a connection between the contraceptive pill (which contains estrogen) and migraine headaches.

Just to confuse matters however, studies have also shown that simple everyday activities like walking up stairs can trigger an attack, as can exposure to heat or cold, loud noises, flashing lights and even stress.

Happily, there are several medical treatments available today, although no single treatment has proved to be really effective in all cases. Over-the-counter medications are however rarely effective and, if you suffer from migraines, you are best advised to seek the help of your physician in finding a solution which works for you.

Migraines are a kind of neurological disease. The most common symptom of a migraine is a strong headache, and people often in fact refer to migraines as “migraine headaches”. There are other symptoms of migraines, however, such as gastrointestinal problems (difficulties digesting food or pain in the digestive tract), nausea, vomiting, and a much greater than normal level of sensitivity to bright lights and loud sounds. Dizziness and various affects on people’s perception (collectively known as an “aura”) also tend to accompany the onset of a migraine.

The most simple treatment that people use to treat a migraine is to apply something hot or cold to the part of the head where the most pain is located. The effectiveness of this can vary from person to person; some people are able to greatly lessen their pain with a hot or cold compress, and for others it can make things worse (both hot and cold temperatures should be tried to see which one gives the migraine sufferer the best results).

Various vitamins and minerals can also be used to treat migraines, as migraines are thought to be related to hormonal cycles (this also helps to explain why migraines are more prevalent in women than in men), and in some cases of hormonal imbalance migraines are seen as a frequent symptom. One of the most popular substances which people all around the world use every day to prevent minor headaches, and which can also be useful in preventing migraines, is caffeine. Drinking a cup of coffee in the morning can help to improve the state of one’s vascular system and make migraines much less likely or alleviate the symptoms of existing migraines. Over the counter medicine such as acetaminophen can also be helpful in some cases, and herbs such as butterbur, feverfew as well as substances like vitamin B2, riboflavin or magnesium citrate have also been shown to reduce the frequency of migraine attacks over time in clinical studies. These kinds of supplements have been seen to make the frequency of migraine headaches go down by between forty to sixty percent or more.

By avoiding the kind of stressful situations and triggers which most frequently cause migraines, applying the basic treatments for stress and pain relief, and taking advantage of the various vitamins, minerals and other supplements that reduce headache severity, you can avoid having strong migraine headaches and get on with your life.

Migraine headaches bring some of the most excruciating pain a person will ever know. Many migraineurs say the only good thing about a migraine is the relief, sometimes even euphoria, they feel when the headache is over. Knowing that a good feeling is waiting on the other side is the only thing that helps some of them get through the pain.

People who live with transformed migraine (TM) do not have anything to look forward to. Transformed migraine is the name of a condition some migraineurs develop after years of migraine episodes. Most people develop transformed migraines in their 20s or 30s.

Migraineurs report less severe headaches suddenly, but they come more often until they turn into chronic daily headaches (CDH). The daily headache is less intense than a migraine episode, but still painful, and most transformed migraine patients still have occasional full-blown migraine episodes.

Not all migraineurs will develop transformed migraines. In fact, most won’t. Those who do are predominantly women and approximately 90% of them previously had migraine with aura (classic migraine). Migraine with aura is relatively rare, affecting less than 20% of all migraineurs.

The exact cause of transformed migraines is, like all migraine types, unknown. Many transformed migraineurs are heavy users of pain-relievers, both over the counter items like acetaminophen and naproxen and prescription medications like Vicodin or Darvon. Some even take them daily, whether they have a migraine or not, thinking they may help prophylactically.

TM patients of this type are particularly hard to treat because of a developed tolerance for pain medication. The first step in treating these patients is to wean them from their daily medications. Sometimes this step alone will stop the chronic lesser headaches. Once weaned, like non-medication dependent TM patients, their migraines are manageable with a regular treatment regimen just like any other migraineur.

A migraine headache may make you think that you have come to the end of the world. Nothing seems to make it better, and everything seems to make it worse. Some people have migraine headaches that last for days without relief. If you are prone to migraines, then there are a few tips that you can do to help relieve the pain associated with a migraine headache. While all things will not work for all people, there just may be something that will help you individually. Just as all people are different, all migraines are different also, and something that helps one person, may not necessarily help others. However, there are several methods for instant relief that you can try, and one of them is bound to work for you.

1. First, you should know that migraines are the result of a blood rush to your head. Constricting the blood vessels to slow the rush of blood will often help. Try applying cold compresses to your forehead and the back of your neck to see if the cold helps to slow down the blood, thus slowing down the pain.

2. Another idea is to dip your fingers into ice cold water and apply pressure to your temples. You can try an ice massage, by dipping your fingers into cold water, and simply massaging your temples to help relieve the pain caused from the sudden rush of blood.

3. Everyone knows that migraines are often the result of stress. If you are feeling stressed out, then try changing your scenery. Watch a funny movie, or take a long hot bath. Try to relax and let the stress wash off you.

4. Exercise is also a great pain reliever, specifically aerobic exercise. Exercising will help to regulate the blood flow throughout your body, thus relieving the pressure from the blood rush in your head which caused the migraine to begin with.

5. One sure way to relieve the pain is to engage in sex. While that option may not be suitable for everyone, if you do have the opportunity, then sex is a wonderful way to relieve the blood pressure in your head. Besides, it will take your mind off the pain, and at least give you a few moments of relief.

6. Migraine sufferers know that lights and sound are a migraine headaches worst enemy. If you are suffering with a migraine, then pull your curtains, turn out the lights, and keep all noise to a mute volume. Having just a simple dark, quiet rest will often relieve the pain, and the relaxation may make the migraine dissipate much sooner.

7. Migraine medication that comes over the counter holds one of the most effective ingredients for relieving migraines. Caffeine, although it can trigger a migraine, can also relieve it. Many over the counter medicines that are specifically geared for migraines hold caffeine, so grab a cup of coffee or tea and it should help to alleviate the pain.

8. Take a course in migraine management.

9. Change your scenery. You can try a quick change, like moving from the room that may hold the smell or trigger of your migraine. If you are in the kitchen, try sitting in the bedroom for a spell.

10. If all else fails, you can try a cool water enema. Migraines are sometimes caused by a buildup of toxins in your system. A cool water enema will clean out your system, thus erasing the cause of your pain.

Every year millions of Americans suffer from crippling migraine headaches. A migraine is more than just a bad headache; it is an intense, debilitating, headache that makes it difficult for the sufferer to function and engage in normal, everyday activities. When a migraine strikes the first thing its victim wants to do is find the fastest road to relief, and that is usually possible only with the help of migraine medicine.

Over-the-counter medication is the first line of defense against the incapacitating pain of a migraine headache. There are many varieties of over-the-counter pain relief available, but the one that works best for you might only be determined through trial and error. Ibuprofen, aspirin, acetaminophen, and naproxen - best known as Motrin, Bayer, Excedrin and Tylenol, and Aleve respectively (although all are available under generic names) - are the primary and best known options in the market of migraine medicine. However, as any migraine sufferer knows, sometimes those medications are simply too little, too late, to provide any real relief from a painful migraine.

There is another option: try to get the migraine before it gets you, and preventative migraine medicine is designed to do exactly that. Preventative migraine medicine is taken every day, and it is probably not the best option for someone who suffers from intermittent or sporadic migraine headaches. If, on the other hand, you suffer from frequent - more than twice a month - and debilitating migraine headaches, then a daily prevention regime might be the most logical option for you. A daily regimen can not only stop the migraines from occurring, it will lessen the amount of painkillers you are ingesting. That is important to consider because high dosages of pain killers, even of the over-the-counter variety, can have adverse side effects on your body.

Just like over-the-counter options, a daily prescription migraine medicine may require some trial and error by you and your physician in order to find the right medication and dosage for your situation. You may be required to chart the frequency and severity of your headaches in order to assist the physician in finding the most effective migraine medicine. It is important to remain patient and positive during the process, as it can take weeks or even months before the ideal medication and dosage is discovered. After six to twelve months of successful headache control, your physician may think it is in your best interest to taper the dosage of the medication with an eye toward eventually freeing you from the burden of daily medication, as well as the painful condition of migraine headaches.

If you suffer from migraine headaches then you owe it to yourself to fully investigate the options that are available to you. Migraine medicine exists in many forms, and it can help those who suffer the rare - but still painful - headache, as well as those who suffer frequently. But not all migraine medicine is created equal, and if you are struggling to control your condition then consult your physician in order to develop a migraine medicine strategy that works for you.