A migraine is a severe, painful headache that is often preceded or accompanied by sensory warning sign such as flashes of light, blind spots, tingling in the arms and legs, nausea, vomiting, and increased sensitivity to light and sound.
Causes of Migraine:
Some people who suffer from migraines can clearly identify triggers or factors that cause the headaches, but many cannot.Potential migraine triggers include:
Allergies and allergic reactions
Bright lights, loud noises, and certain odors or perfumes
Physical or emotional stress
Changes in sleep patterns or irregular sleep
Smoking or exposure to smoke
Skipping meals or fasting
Alcohol
Menstrual cycle fluctuations, birth control pills, hormone fluctuations during menopause onset
Tension headaches
Foods containing tyramine (red wine, aged cheese, smoked fish, chicken livers, figs, and some beans), mono sodium glutamate (MSG), or nitrates (like bacon, hot dogs, and salami)
Other foods such as chocolate, nuts, peanut butter, avocado, banana, citrus, onions, dairy products, and fermented or pickled foods.
Triggers do not always cause migraines, and avoiding triggers does not always prevent migraines.
Symptoms of migraine:
Moderate to severe pain, usually confined to one side of the head, but switching in successive migraines
Pulsing and throbbing head pain
Increasing pain during physical activity
Inability to perform regular activities due to pain
Nausea
Vomiting increased sensitivity to light and sound
How is migraine treated and prevented?
Migraine treatment and prevention focus on avoiding triggers, controlling symptoms, and taking medicines. Over-the-counter medications such as naproxen, ibuprofen, acetaminophen (paracetamol), and other analgesics like Excedrin(aspirin with caffeine) are often the first abortive therapies to eliminate the headache or substantially reduce pain.
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