Living with Migraines? They Can Be Managed

More than 28 million people in America suffer from migraine headaches. Most victims are adults between the ages of 25 and 55 years old. Migraines strike women 3 times more often than men. The reason for this will be explained later.

First let's examine what a migraine headache is and how to diagnose one. Though know one actually knows the true cause of a migraine, experts have narrowed the field to the most logical reasons. Blood vessels swell around the brain and certain nerves in the brain. The result is a piercing sharp pain that can center in different locations on the body.

While one person could be struck on one or both sides of the head, another person may be attacked around the
sinus area or on the back of the neck. This pain can be accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light and sound.

A migraine headache can have varying effects on it's sufferers. Extreme cases often force bed rest until the symptoms ease. This debilitation can last from 4 hours to 3 days. I personally have had migraines for years and the best thing I can do is go to bed and close the curtains. Sometimes even a cool washcloth over my eyes helps.

Is there any warning before an attack hits? The answer is yes, in a few cases .The medical term for these warnings is called an aura. The term refers to a "feeling" you get just before an attack occurs. This feeling can be in the form of blurred vision, impaired hearing or speech and dizziness.

What can trigger a migraine headache? It can be one thing only or a combination of the following, food and drink that have additives such as MSG, chocolate, nitrates found in cured meats, marinated or pickled foods, aged cheeses, alcohol, excess caffeine, changes in hormones, skipping meals, bright lights, depression, changes in weather or air pressure, smoke, certain strong odors, stress, birth control pills and over use of pain medications.

Seems like a lot of factors can be associated with the onset of a migraine but remember, this list covers the most common reasons discovered in studies of a host of patients. I often had head aches and sometimes they would position themselves around my right eye or on base of my neck. I did not know what was causing this severe pain until I went to see my physician and got diagnosed with having migraines.

Who can fall victim to a migraine headache? Studies have shown that migraines tend to be hereditary. These studies have also revealed that low sex hormones in women account for their 3 to 1 ratio over men who get migraine headaches. This isn't hard to believe when you consider birth control pills and hormone replacement medications.

Female patients have reported vast differences during their menstrual cycle or during a pregnancy. Oddly enough, migraines tend to diminish between the ages of 50 and 60 years old. Not much comfort in the meantime but there are drugs on the market that can treat the pain associated with the migraine. Imitrex and Zomig are just two. But the one I was placed on is called Fioricet and within 5 minutes my pain is gone.

Anyone who suffers from severe headaches of any type should seek a physician. It is not wise to try and endure the pain and hope it goes away. With different medication's on the market there is no reason to suffer. Next time you suffer a migraine, try a cool cloth over the eyes or go and lay down for a bit in a peaceful and quiet setting as well as turning out all lights and muting all sound. They will vanish within a few hours, but it's best not to drive or try to operate any other machinery while having a migraine.

References:

www. MigrainePrescriptionTreatment.com