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Overview
Migraines can stop sufferers in their tracks because the pain is so bad. Even though migraines are not curable, they can be prevented, or the pain can be lessened. The first step is to be educated on how to prevent migraines, what causes them (so those triggers can be avoided), and what types of medications are available to make a migraine more tolerable.
What Is a Migraine?
A migraine is a form of vascular headache that is caused by an enlargement of blood vessels and the release of chemicals from nerve fibers that wrap around blood vessels, causing severe pain. Twenty-eight million Americans suffer from migraines, including 17 percent of women and 6 percent of men.
Migraine Symptoms
Migraines can affect numerous parts of the body, making day-to-day activities tough for the sufferer. Throbbing pain starts in the head, usually around the temples, behind the eyes and down the neck. The physical pain is usually accompanied by nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, cold hands and feet, and sensitivity to light and sound. An attack can last from 4 to 72 hours and can bring all activities to a halt.
Causes of a Migraine
Reasons for migraines can be internal, caused by various things going on in your body. Or they can be external, brought on by the environment or some other outside source. Hormonal changes, due to a drop in estrogen during a woman's period, can be a trigger of migraine. So can certain types of food, stress and medication. Weather changes and exposure to bright lights or unusual smells can bring on a migraine as well.
Prevention/Solution
Since migraines are so painful and debilitating, avoiding them is the best bet. Although they usually occur on a regular basis, there are a few things that can be done to prevent them from coming back. Exercise on a regular basis to reduce tension, and for women, reduce the effects of estrogen: Birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy should be avoided. Finally, try to avoid the things that cause the migraine, although determining what those triggers are may be difficult. When a migraine starts, keep a record of everything you've eaten, how much sleep you've gotten, how much stress you're under, and whether you're dealing with any illnesses or menstruation. To get started, print out the list on the page listed in the resources section below.
Treatment
Migraines are not curable, but there are many types of medications that can help reduce the pain by narrowing the blood vessels, including acetaminophen, ibuprofen and aspirin. For more painful migraines, doctors can prescribe medications in the following categories: triptans, ergots and isometheptene.
