Things That Causes Constant Headaches, That Are Unknown To You

A migraine is a severe, painful headache that can be preceded or accompanied by sensory warning signs such as flashes of light, blind spots, tingling in the arms and legs, nausea, vomiting, and increased sensitivity to light and sound.

The excruciating pain that migraines bring can last for hours or even days. Migraine is a common problem affecting 36 million Americans, about 12% of the population.

What Triggers Migraine Headaches?

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, flickering lights, smoky rooms, temperature changes, strong smells and certain odors or perfumes
• Physical or emotional stress, tension, anxiety, depression, excitement
• Physical triggers such as tiredness, jet lag, exercise
• Changes in sleep patterns or irregular sleep

• Smoking or exposure to smoke
• Skipping meals or fasting causing low blood sugar
• Dehydration
• Alcohol
• Hormonal triggers such as menstrual cycle fluctuations, birth control pills, menopause
• Tension headaches
• Foods containing tyramine (red wine, aged cheese, smoked fish, chicken livers, figs, and some beans), monosodium 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
• Medication such as sleeping tablets, the contraceptive pill, hormone replacement therapy.

SYMTOMS OF MIGRAINE

Symptoms of migraine can occur a while before the headache, immediately before the headache, during the headache and after the headache. Although not all migraines are the same, typical symptoms include:

• Moderate to severe pain, usually confined to one side of the head during an attack, but can occur on either side of the head
• The pain is usually a severe, throbbing, pulsing pain
• Increasing pain during physical activity
• Inability to perform regular activities due to pain
• Feeling sick and physically being sick
• Increased sensitivity to light and sound, relieved by lying quietly in a darkened room
• Some people experience other symptoms such as sweating, temperature changes, tummy ache and diarrhea.

Migraines With Aura

Many people experience migraines with auras or warning signs just before or during the head pain, but many do not. Auras are perceptual disturbances such as:

• Confusing thoughts or experiences
• The perception of strange lights, sparkling or flashing lights
• Zigzag lines in the visual field
• Blind spots or blank patches in the vision
• Pins and needles in an arm or leg
• Difficulty speaking
• Stiffness in the shoulders, neck or limbs
• Unpleasant smells.

Treatments For Migraines

There is currently no cure for migraine, so treatment is aimed at preventing a full-blown attack, and alleviating symptoms if they come.

• Getting enough sleep
• Reducing stress
• Drinking plenty of water
• Avoiding certain foods
• Regular physical exercise.

Migraine treatment (abortive therapies) and prevention (prophylactic therapies) focus on avoiding triggers, controlling symptoms and taking medicines.