Migraines

Migraines

Migraines are a painful and debilitating condition that can be hard to explain to people who don't get them. This area can help people who get migraines learn more about their headaches and what can be done to manage them.

It's important to understand that there is no "cure" for migraine. However, there is hope. Scientists are beginning to discover the causes of migraine. Today there are migraine prevention techniques and safe, cost-effective medications that can help you to manage your headaches.

Understanding Migraines:

Migraine is a lot more than just a bad headache. It's a complex disorder that is often accompanied by many symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. But for many, the worst symptom is the pain.

Do I Have Migraines?

An international panel of experts created the following criteria to help doctors diagnose migraines. You may be getting migraines if your headache pain is:

* On one side of the head
* Pulsating or throbbing
* Aggravated by routine physical activity, such as climbing stairs
* Inhibits or prohibits usual activity
* Accompanied by nausea or vomiting
* Accompanied by sensitivity to light and sound

Why Me?

Research into the exact cause of migraine is ongoing. Many experts believe that certain people are born with a predisposition to headache — making them more susceptible to migraine. Since migraine runs in families, researchers have begun to use advanced techniques to identify the gene that causes headaches. Exciting developments for identifying the true cause of migraines are on the horizon.

Characteristics

Many scientists now believe that serotonin is the main culprit in the chemical reactions that occur during a migraine. Serotonin is a chemical in your brain that can constrict blood vessels and stimulate pain receptors. Levels of serotonin are unusually high just before a migraine and unusually low during the migraine attack.

Attacks can occur any time, day or night, though they often occur first thing in the morning. Routine activity, exercise or slight head movement makes the pain worse. Some patients report that the simple act of trying to lift their heads off the pillow results in excruciating pain. Symptoms may appear up to several hours before the headache, or the pain may strike without any warning. Some people feel irritable during migraine attacks and seek solitude, often in a darkened room. Following an attack, many people feel washed out and listless.

Signs of an Impending Attack

When a migraine is on its way, some people say they can feel it coming. It's like their bodies have a built-in warning system. Getting to know these warning signs can help you take action at the best time — before the pain begins.

The signs can be subtle. You might have a change in mood — either up or down — or not feel like eating. You might feel washed out and tired. You might even feel dizzy or numb. Either way, if you notice any changes that seem out of the ordinary, there's a chance that a migraine may soon follow.

As the pain gets closer, your body may also send visual warning signs. You might see flashing lights, bright zig-zagging lines, or a blind spot. Experts call this special type of headache "migraine with aura."

Common Triggers

Certain foods, beverages, or situations may bring on or trigger your migraines. If you think you get migraines, figuring out what your specific triggers are can be well worth the effort.

Not all migraine triggers apply to you. Nor do the ones that can affect you apply in every situation. So don't lose heart at the list of dietary triggers below. If you think you get migraines, figuring out what your specific triggers are can be well worth the effort involved.

Your diet can trigger migraines

Review the list of migraine triggers below and try to figure out which ones affect you. Keeping a headache diary may help you to avoid these triggers.

* alcoholic drinks
* coffee, tea, cola
* aged cheese
* chocolate
* monosodium glutamate (MSG)
* nitrates (food preservatives)
* smoked fish
* nuts
* pickled foods

Other migraine triggers

You should also know about migraine triggers that relate to how you live. Do any of the following seem linked to your headaches?

* missed meals
* psychological stress
* fatigue or irregular sleep
* changes in weather
* traveling to different altitudes

It's also well known that migraine attacks can increase or decrease in response to hormonal fluctuations, such as those that happen during menstruation, pregnancy and menopause.

That's why migraines may sometimes coincide with a menstrual period. It's also why you may have stopped getting migraines during pregnancy. And after menopause, there's a good chance you'll never get migraines again.