Causes of Migraines

by Admin on December 11, 2009

migraine-pain3If you suffer from migraines then you know just how painful it can be. You also know how migraines can take over your life and stop you from living when they strike. To get relief from migraines you need to figure out what causes your migraine headaches and then you need to avoid that trigger. To help you figure out what might be causing your own headaches, here’s a look at some of the most common causes of migraines.

Hormonal Changes

While the exact relationship isn’t known, a change in estrogen levels seems to trigger migraines in some women.

Food

Certain types of foods cause migraines in some people. The most common food triggers are red wine, beer, caffeine, chocolate, and processed foods, such as those that contain nitrates (hotdogs and certain lunchmeats) and MSG (monosodium glutamate).  Aspartame, used to sweeten beverages, has been linked to migraines.  Also, skipping a meal can cause migraines as well. 

Stress

Extended periods of extreme stress can also be the cause of migraines.

Sensory Stimuli

Another one of the many causes of migraines is sensory stimuli. Flashing lights, loud noises, or strong scents have been known to cause migraines.

Changes in Sleep Patterns

Going from sleeping at night to sleeping during the day or vice versa can trigger a migraine headache. Migraines can also be triggered by either too much or too little sleep.

Physical Exertion

Sudden periods of exercise can cause migraines in people.

Medication

Almost any medication can cause migraine headaches. It all depends on the medication and your body’s reaction to that medication. If you recently started a medication (or stopped) and you get a migraine then the medication could very well be the cause.

Caffeine

Too much, or sudden withdrawal from, caffeine, can trigger a migraine.

Weather

Changes in weather conditions such as quick temperature or barometric pressure changes can bring on a migraine.

As the medical community continues to gain a better understanding of the causes of migraines, the list of triggers will most likely continue to grow.  For now, some of the most common causes of migraines are hormonal changes, food, stress, sensory stimuli, a change in sleep patterns, physical exertion, caffeine, weather changes, and medication. If you suffer from migraines then you should first look at these common causes as the cause of your own migraines. When you find the cause you can then prevent future migraine headaches.

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Migraine Headache Treatment

by Admin on December 10, 2009

migraine-painJust like not all migraines are caused by the same trigger, not all migraines are effectively dealt with the same way. In fact, effective migraine headache treatment varies from person to person. Here are some common methods that work when treating migraine headaches.

For many people, a migraine headache treatment that works well is one of the over the counter treatments that are available. There are many pain relief products that are specifically made to treat migraine headaches. These products can be very effective for some people.

Another option for migraine headache treatment is to go a physician and get a prescription for a medication that’s specifically designed to help with migraine headaches. If you discuss your migraines with your doctor then he or she will be able to prescribe a medicine that very well might help with your migraines.

There are also many “natural” treatments for migraine headaches. For example, placing a cold compress on your forehead often helps. This might not completely relieve the migraine but it should certainly give temporary relief. The coldness of the compress will help open up the blood vessels and that will help to relieve the pain.

Another “natural” treatment is something that’s called feverfew. Feverfew is an herb that’s been used for hundreds of years to help relieve a variety of pains. As the name suggests, feverfew is also used to reduce fevers. However, historically two of the biggest uses for feverfew have been to relieve pain due to headaches and arthritis. Even today feverfew is known to relieve migraine headaches.

Magnesium is another potential “natural” source of relief for migraine sufferers. Several studies have shown that magnesium does indeed provide relief from migraines. Magnesium is found in foods such as nuts, seeds, whole grains, and green leafy vegetables. Ingesting magnesium on a regular basis may very well cause your migraines to appear less frequently and lessen the severity of migraines when they do occur.

Another way to treat migraine headaches involves prevention. Often the best migraine headache treatment is to stay away from the things that actually triggered the migraine. Food is actually one of the main causes of migraines. Hormonal changes, sensory stimuli, and stress are also major causes of migraines. If a migraine sufferer can figure out what’s causing the migraine headaches then simply avoiding the cause will help stop the migraines.

An effective migraine headache treatment is whatever works for each individual person. Since no two people are alike, it’s up to each person to figure out what causes their migraines and what works in stopping the migraine. While there are many effective medicines on the market, there are also effective natural remedies, In addition, finding what causes a migraine and then avoiding that trigger is the most effective way to deal with migraine headaches. Finding the cause of migraines and finding an effective migraine headache treatment will really help a person deal with their migraines.

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