What You Need to Know About Migraine Headaches ?

A migraine is more than just a headache. It’s an excruciatingly painful condition that can last for days, often accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. Although the exact cause of migraines remains unknown, there are some treatments available to help manage them. Let’s take a closer look at what you need to know about migraine headaches.

The Symptoms of a Migraine Headache

The symptoms of a migraine vary from person to person, but they usually include severe pain on one side of the head that can last from 4-72 hours. The pain may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, sweating, blurred vision, dizziness, and sensitivity to light or sound. Some people also experience an aura before their migraine which may involve flashes of light or blind spots in the vision or tingling in the arms or legs.

Triggers and Treatments for Migraines

Migraines can be triggered by many different things such as stress, hormones (especially in women), certain foods like aged cheeses or processed meats, caffeine withdrawal, strong smells like perfumes or paint fumes and even changes in weather conditions like barometric pressure drops. In order to best treat your migraines it is important to identify your triggers so that you can avoid them if possible.

Treatments for migraines vary depending on their severity and how frequently they occur. Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can help relieve milder migraines but more severe cases may require prescription medications such as triptans or antiemetics which work by blocking pain receptors in the brain or reducing inflammation respectively. Other treatments such as acupuncture and relaxation techniques have also been found to be effective for some people.

In addition to these treatments it is important that you get enough sleep (7-8 hours per night), drink plenty of fluids (especially water) and exercise regularly (at least 30 minutes per day). Eating healthy meals with plenty of fruits and vegetables can also help keep your body strong enough to fight off any potential triggers. 

Although the exact cause of migraines is still unknown there are many treatments available that can help manage this debilitating condition. Identifying your triggers is key as well as maintaining a healthy lifestyle with plenty of rest, water and exercise. If you think you may be suffering from migraines make sure to talk to your doctor who will be able to advise on the best treatment options for you based on your individual needs.