Summary
A migraine is an intense, throbbing headache that may be accompanied by nausea or dizziness and may last from a few hours to a few days.
Causes
Many facts about migraines are not usually understood. Many researchers believe that migraines are a consequence of a change in hormone levels in the brain. Migraines can be triggered by stress, bright lights, or certain smells.
They can also be caused by medications, and by excessive or insufficient sleep. Some foods can also trigger migraines, including alcohol, aged cheeses, chocolate, and certain foods containing aspartame or MSG (monosodium glutamate).
Symptoms
A typical migraine can cause moderate to severe pain. This pain is often only felt on one side of the head, and can interfere with a person’s activities. Symptoms may also include nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. Some people see sparkling flashes of light, spots or dazzling lines before a migraine. These are called ‘visual auras’.
Treatment
Migraines can be treated with pain-relieving drugs and rest in a dark room. People who regularly suffer from migraines can also take medication such as beta-blockers or antihistamines, drugs that can reduce the frequency and severity of headaches.
Overview
A migraine is an intense, throbbing headache thatmay be accompanied by nausea or dizziness. Amigraine can last from hours to days.
Causes
Much about migraines isn’t understood. Manyresearchers believe that a migraine can be causedby a change in hormone levels in the brain.Migraines can be triggered by stress, bright lightsand certain smells. They can also be caused bymedications, and by getting too little or too muchsleep. Certain foods may trigger migraines. Theseinclude alcohol, aged cheeses, chocolate, andfoods containing aspartame or MSG (monosodiumglutamate).
Symptoms
A typical migraine results in moderate to severepain. This pain is often felt on only one side of thehead. The pain may interfere with a person’sactivities. Symptoms may also include nausea andsensitivity to light and sound. Some people seesparkling flashes of light, spots, or dazzling linesbefore a migraine. These are called “visual auras.”
Treatment
Migraines may be treated with pain-relievingmedications and with rest in a darkened room.People who experience migraines regularly mayalso take medications such as beta blockers orantihistamines. These can reduce the frequencyand severity of the headaches.
