Headache Causes and Treatments

Headache Causes and Treatments

 Migraine Headaches: Ways to Cope with the Pain

What causes migraines?

Migraine headaches appear to be caused in part by changes in the level of a chemical produced in the brain called serotonin. Serotonin plays many roles in the body and can affect the blood vessels. When serotonin levels are high, blood vessels constrict (shrink). When serotonin levels drop, blood vessels dilate (swell). This swelling can cause pain or other problems.

Many things can affect the level of serotonin in your body, including your blood sugar level, certain foods, and changes in your estrogen level if you are a woman.

What does a migraine feel like?

The pain of a migraine can be intense. It can get in the way of your daily activities. Migraines are not the same for everyone. Possible symptoms of migraines are listed in the chart below.

You may have a "premonition" several hours or a day before your headache starts. Premonitions are feelings you have that can indicate that a migraine is coming. These feelings can include intense energy, fatigue, food cravings, thirst, and mood swings.

Are there different types of migraines?

Yes. The most common are classic migraine and common migraine.

Classic migraines start with a warning sign, called an aura. The aura often involves changes in the way you see. You may see flashing lights and colors. You may temporarily lose some of your vision, such as your side vision.

You may also feel a strange itching or burning sensation, or have muscle weakness on one side of your body. You may have trouble communicating. You may also feel depressed, irritable, and restless.

The auras last between 15 and 30 minutes. Auras can occur before or after your headache, and sometimes the pain and aura overlap or the pain never occurs. The headache of classic migraines can occur on one side of the head or both sides.

Common migraines do not start with an aura. Common migraines can start more slowly than classic migraines, last longer, and interfere more with daily activities. The pain from common migraines may only be on one side of the head.

 Possible symptoms of migraines

Sharp, stabbing, or dull pain on one side of the head or both sides
Pain that worsens with physical activity
Nausea or vomiting
Changes in the way you see, including blurred vision or blind spots
Being bothered by light, noise, or odors
Feeling tired and/or confused
Stuffy nose
Feeling cold or sweaty
Stiff or tender neck
dizziness
tender scalp
 

How long do migraines usually last?

Migraines can last from 4 to 72 hours. They may occur only once or twice a year, or as often as daily. Women are more prone to migraines than men.

What can trigger a migraine?

Things that can trigger migraines include the following:

Strong or unusual odors, bright lights, or loud noises
Changes in weather or altitude
Feeling tired, stressed, or depressed
Changes in sleep patterns
Certain foods (see list below), especially those that contain tyramine, sodium nitrate, or phenylalanine
Skipping meals or fasting
Menstrual periods, birth control pills, or hormonal changes (in women)
Intense physical activity, including sexual activity.
Of smoking
vapors
Foods that can trigger migraines:

Aged, canned, cured, or processed meat, including bologna, game, ham, herring, hot dogs, pepperoni, and sausage
old cheese
Alcoholic beverages, especially red wine.
aspartame
avocados
Beans, including polo, ancho, lima, Italian, navy, pinto, and garbanzo
Brewer's yeast, including fresh yeast coffee cake, bagels, and sourdough bread
Caffeine (in excess)
Canned soup or bouillon cubes
Chocolate, cocoa, and carob
Cultured dairies, such as buttermilk and sour cream
figs
lentils
meat tenderizer
Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
Nuts and peanut butter
Onions, except in small amounts for flavor
Papaya
Passion fruit
pea pods
Pickled, canned, or marinated foods, such as olives and pickles, and some snack foods
Raisins
red plums
Sauerkraut
seasoned salt
snow peas
Soy sauce
How are migraines treated?

There are 2 types of drugs for migraine treatments. One guy focuses on relieving the headache. This type of treatment should be started as soon as you think you are having a migraine. The other type includes drugs that are used to prevent headaches before they occur.

Can over-the-counter medicines help relieve pain?

Yes. Over-the-counter drugs