Migraine headaches can be debilitating issue that interferes severely with daily functioning and quality of life. Preventing and treating migraine headaches, however, is certainly possible with the right combination of medicine and therapy. The exact causes of migraine headaches remain unknown to the medical community, but it is widely held that serotonin levels in the brain play a significant role in the formation of migraine headaches. Low serotonin levels are usually accompanied by a migraine headache.
A migraine headache can oftentimes be accompanied by an “aura.” An aura occurs with what are called classic migraine headaches. In a classic migraine attack, the patient may note changes in vision and mood. Tenderness in the scalp is another sign of an oncoming migraine headache. Alterations in mood can also occur, such as depression or irritability. These subtle symptoms can manifest as early as a day before the episode. The following migraine headaches are typically fairly intense, but do not last very long.
Common migraine headache symptoms take longer to develop, and last longer than classic migraines. This can be seriously debilitating, and can be a real impediment to daily life. Luckily, there are many medications out there that can both reduce pain and help to prevent the onset of migraines. Sleep and plenty of fluids are very important in helping to prevent the onset of migraine headaches. During an attack, be sure to remain in a dark and quiet environment. Use a cold compress to reduce the tension, and massage the scalp with a fair amount of pressure. Emotional and physical stress are known to play a role in migraine development.
Some foods are also believed to play a significant role in migraine development.
Physicians recommend, for example, that red wine should be avoided by sufferers of migraine headaches. Canned and processed meat can also attribute to migraine episodes. cause of headaches can also include excess amounts of caffeine, aged cheese, or cultured dairy products. Chronic migraine episodes are reason to see a doctor or specialist about the potential causes.