Migraines are a common type of headache that many people suffer from. It is believed that migraine headaches are caused by abnormal amounts of certain brain chemicals and sensitive blood vessels. While migraines might be caused by those factors, there are many triggers that can set off the headache.
Regardless of the reason a migraine starts, making them go away is the immediate goal of a migraine sufferer. While there is no cure for migraine headaches, there are ways to prevent their regular occurrence by avoiding triggers. Knowing what initiates your migraines is the first step to preventing them.
Certain foods such as fruits, onions, chocolate, nuts, cheese and sugar are common triggers as well as caffeine, alcohol and red wine. Food additives and preservatives also cause a reaction in some people. Other triggers include stress, physical exertion, certain smells, and weather changes.
Start a headache diary to determine when your headaches are occurring, how severe they are, what you have eaten, how much sleep you have had, and any other things you can think of. Your record will help you and your doctor to determine some ways to avoid the factors that might be causing your migraines.
Your doctor might recommend medication if you have frequent migraines. Follow your doctor’s advice when taking prescription medicine. Some medicines should be taken daily to be effective, such as, certain antidepressants, blood pressure medicines, seizure medications and serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
Other medications can be used to stop a migraine attack once it has started. Over-the-counter medicines like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and aspirin can help with mild migraines, but more severe headaches will likely require a prescription medication such as almotriptan, zolmitriptan, ergotamine, or isometheptene.
There are alternative herbal treatments you can try to bring relief, but check with your doctor before starting any treatment to see what he or she recommends. With a little bit of research, you and your healthcare provider should have a treatment plan that will alleviate your pain!