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A great many myths get perpetuated about migraine headaches, very likely by the people who don’t get the headaches themselves. In itself, this is a phenomenon like many others in society, but the difficulty with such myths is that they can have a detrimental effect on the migraine sufferers. Those who suffer these severe headaches are sometimes not just judged harshly simply for having them, but when their doctors also believe these myths (and some do), they might even be treated incorrectly.

Many migraine myths involve people judging the sufferers themselves. So they may think a migraine is “just another headache,” when in fact sufferers are dealing with a genetically-based migraine disease, of which a headache is the most prominent symptom. This is evidenced by the fact that it’s actually possible to have a migraine without a headache at all. Because of this myth, treatments could be prescribed wrongly because a normal headache involves a narrowing of blood vessels in the head, while in a migraine the blood vessels expand. Another myth surrounding migraines is that they are psychological. However, being symptomatic of a genuine neurological disease, they result from actual physiological triggers that affect people’s nerve endings and prompt real physical changes.

Even when people acknowledge that migraines are a real physical phenomenon, there’s another myth that gets perpetuated, and one that’s actually dangerous. This is the notion that migraine headaches are not life-threatening. In fact, although most occurrences are benign, migraines can induce strokes, aneurysms, comas and even blindness. Migraines also have a connection to a certain percentage of epilepsy cases. This belief can increase the patient’s danger when combined with other myths, such as the one that migraines are really a symptom of depression or an inability to cope with life. Migraine management usually is not helped by treatment with depression drugs, and if the real root of the condition is left untreated, then the results could be disastrous.

Some myths that are attached to migraine headaches, like the one claiming that everyone gets the visual auras when they get the headaches, are pretty harmless. That sort of myth won’t affect whatever treatment the sufferer will get. It’s when the myths actually affect treatments or prescribed drugs that there could be damage. It will be hard for people to get the proper treatments, let alone discover migraine cures, as long as these myths continue to circulate.

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Each person who regularly experiences the agony of a migraine headache is able to describe three or four distinct phases to the process. Even though every migraine sufferer has a distinct set of symptoms and responses to the illness, it appears and runs its course in the same few phases for all of them. This is both good news and bad, because it means that the person can tell a migraine is coming and start preparing a migraine defense. But they also know, from previous unpleasant experience, what they can expect each and every time.

The common migraine will almost always start with an introductory phase. The first symptoms will seem almost random, such as a spike in appetite, or perhaps growing irritability coupled with irrational euphoria. The person may slowly become sensitive to touch or sound, and might have a difficult time coping with ordinary activities. These symptoms will feel recognizably different, at least to the migraine sufferer, from the same symptoms being manifested under other circumstances. The appearance and feel of these symptoms will tell the person that a migraine headache is on the way.

Then there is the aura stage, if the person suffers from classic migraine headaches. This can be visual, as its name suggests, but covers a wider range of neurological symptoms. These can include flashes or zigzags of light, pins and needles in the skin, or speech difficulties and a loss of concentration. Not every migraine sufferer experiences the aura, however. Sometimes the premonitory symptoms move directly into the main phase, which is the migraine itself. This tends to concentrate mainly on one side of the head, though it can gradually move. And the neurological sensitivities increase, so the person can’t bear light, loud noises or even aromas. The person may also suffer nausea or vomiting.

Finally, the migraine headache itself is over, and the last phase begins; the recovery phase. It, too, has typical characteristics. In a way, the person’s body undoes all the earlier symptoms. So if the person endured loss of concentration and speech problems going into the headache phase, then these may remain afterward, getting gradually better as the headache recedes. Others may experience a lethargy that leaves them feeling empty and airy. The migraine relief that draws the experience to a close is different from person to person. Yet everyone who goes through this illness repeats the same recognizable phases each time.

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In the general lore of society, the common migraine appears like a virtual inevitability, an almost invincible force of nature that rolls relentlessly over the helpless, suffering patient. This ailment is seen to bring severe head pain, weird visual effects, nausea, and other symptoms, yet never afflicting two people in exactly the same way. With this kind of legend behind it, the very thought of how to prevent migraines tends not to enter people’s awareness, let alone seem like an actual possibility.

As migraine specialists have discovered more and more triggers that bring on these headaches and their many attendant symptoms, they recognize that some of these triggers are indeed out of the patient’s control. And yet, as the researchers have learned more about the range of things that can cause this ailment, it has become clear that migraine sufferers can take charge of other triggers, eliminating or controlling them and truly learning how to prevent migraines.

Some triggers involve external factors, like second hand smoke or intense visual stimuli, such as glaring lights or reflected sunlight. Stress is another factor, which is why a migraine is sometimes mistaken for a simple stress headache. Another unavoidable external factor might be certain changes in weather or barometric pressure. And of course it’s not really possible for women to entirely avoid a menstrual migraine. But other triggers for migraines are found in foods or even aromas, and this is where the migraine sufferer can make changes. They will frequently notice that ingestion of certain foods will always be followed by a migraine, so eliminating those foods can help reduce occurrences. Gluten is one major culprit, and in fact, migraines can sometimes be a symptom of celiac disease. The incidence of other food triggers seems to be anecdotal and depends on each individual. But most researchers agree that avoiding things like dehydration and sudden changes in eating habits are crucial factors in preventing migraines.

What many specialists recommend is that migraine sufferers start to keep a diary, recording things that they suspect might be their own triggers. If they write everything down, and gradually begin to notice that certain things are mentioned over and over again in the diary, then they may have found some of the triggers that can be avoided in their attempt to keep migraines from occurring. This can be the first step in learning how to prevent migraines, and eliminating those triggers for themselves can help to augment the medical treatment they receive.

Jeremy Larson is a foremost expert in the acid reflux cure. He has had extensive experience and conducted countless experiments in finding natural remedy for acid reflux treatment. He is also a highly acclaimed writer in the medical field and you can find out more at RemedyForAcidReflux.com.

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Migraine prevention is one aspect of the whole migraine phenomenon that has been getting more research and attention in recent years. One reason for this is that it’s difficult to know how to treat a migraine if you don’t even know what causes it. But once you’ve found even a few of the causes, this not only helps you in your quest to try to treat or even end migraines altogether, but it can help you learn how to prevent them from coming on in the first place. So the research into causes, treatments, and prevention have all fed off each other and aided each other.

One of the biggest advances in the research has been with regard to migraine triggers. A great many of these have been discovered, falling into two categories: controllable and uncontrollable. Uncontrollable triggers might be things like changing weather patterns. For example, big swings in barometric pressure, a high humidity, and certain types of wind can all trigger a migraine. One might think migraine prevention would be impossible when it comes to these factors, but they might at least be mitigated to some extent.

Another type of migraine that some feel falls into the “uncontrollable” category would be the menstrual migraine. After all, a woman can’t very well just stop menstruating to prevent a headache. Yet the trigger here seems, at least in part, to be either too much or too little estrogen. Menstruating women can’t entirely control their estrogen levels, yet they might be able to alter the dosage to some degree in their birth control pills. And post-menopausal women can certainly adjust dosages in their hormone replacement therapies. So migraine prevention might even be possible in these cases.

This leads into other triggers that are classified as controllable. Most of these involve foods, smells or even light. People who suffer from chronic migraines might notice that particular foods, like peanuts, citrus, chocolate, or products containing MSG seem to bring on a headache. Or they might react to paint fumes or the strong perfume of the person in the next cubicle. Eliminating these triggers wherever possible can be a real aid in migraine prevention.

People trying to stop migraines from happening to them can’t neglect the usual recommendations for good health, such as reducing stress, eating healthy, regular meals and getting enough exercise and sleep. These will undoubtedly contribute to their wellbeing and might also help with migraine prevention. But the discovery of one’s own migraine triggers and the removal of those things as much as possible is another contributor. This is one area where the migraine sufferer actually has the power to do something positive in response to this condition.

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Migraine research has made massive strides in learning what makes these headaches tick, but also in how to prevent and treat them. While many preventive measures are possible, most especially when sufferers can find and eliminate things that trigger the headaches, thus far they can’t be avoided altogether. One of the most important results of all this research is that many excellent migraine medications have been developed. There are over-the-counter drugs for milder forms of the illness, and other heavy-duty forms for the extreme cases.

The first types of medications generally given for migraines are the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDS. These are more familiar to people as acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen. They are generally over-the-counter drugs, so people whose migraines tend to be mild can self-prescribe, and sometimes nip the headaches in the bud. Occasionally, when combined with caffeine, these can bring not just migraine relief but also relief from the nausea that tends to accompany this condition.

But when those milder drugs don’t work, that’s when the heavy duty prescription migraine medications are brought in. A type known as triptans, with Sumatriptan being the most common, helps work on the severity of mid-line headaches, and also eases the nausea and light sensitivity that may accompany them. This drug is marketed under names like Imitrex or Imigran. Opiates can be used as migraine drugs too, in very severe or unusual cases, but they are saved for almost a last resort, since they can become addictive. Even certain clinical depression medications can have an effect, though no one yet knows why.

Other treatments involve combining different drugs as medication for migraines, so a drug like Fioricet would have butalbital (a barbiturate) with aspirin, paracetamol (acetaminophen) and caffeine. Severe headaches that don’t respond to drug treatments, called refractory migraines, are sometimes treated intravenously with drugs like Decadron, Phergan, Keppra, and so on. Intravenous treatment aims at rebalancing the internal fluids and electrolytes as well as easing the pain.

In many ways, the common migraine is not common at all, and even after years of research its origins and mechanism remain at least partly mysterious. For this reason, treatment can be somewhat hit-and-miss, and it’s not always easy for doctors to tell which migraine medications are going to have an effect on any individual’s headache. But research continues to be done, and many strides have been made. And now at least there are several available choices of treatments to try, with the hope of greater relief.

Jeremy Larson is a foremost expert in the acid reflux cure. He has had extensive experience and conducted countless experiments in finding natural remedy for acid reflux treatment. He is also a highly acclaimed writer in the medical field and you can find out more at RemedyForAcidReflux.com.

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Having a headache is no laughing matter. And while it may seem strange to those that do suffer from chronic headaches, there are actually people who have never had a headache in their lives. If you have headaches often, you may actually be having migraines. It is important to know the difference between a stress headache, headache and a migraine. The right information can lead you to the right treatment plan. It is very important if you suffer from this type of headache that you see a physician. It may be a sign of an underlying condition. Or you may find out that it is not a migraine at all, rather it is a different type of headache brought on by different things. This article cannot give you a definite diagnosis but it can give you the information you need to seek out the right help for your pain.

What are migraines?

Migraines are classified as a specific type of headache. You have undoubtedly heard people toss around the term quite often when complaining of a headache. But in actuality the number of people who truly have a migraine headache is significantly lower than you might think. Not all headaches are alike and a migraine does have specific symptoms that set it aside from others. No one is saying that a headache, in any form, is easy to have. But a migraine can actually be quite incapacitating when it strikes. It is important for migraine suffers to know what triggers their migraine and what they can do to prevent it. Even if they are powerless to prevent it, at least they know the warning signs that signal a migraine is headed their way. A migraine headache is not something that people want to have because it is a chronic condition that can strike at any time.

What are common symptoms of migraines?

Every individual is different when it comes to migraine headaches but there are a few symptoms that are common. The first is light sensitivity. People who are developing a migraine or are in a full blown attack will often be very sensitive to light. A second symptom is nausea. The pain and sensitivity to the environment around a migraine sufferer can make them very nauseous. Some migraine suffers report that before they actually begin feeling any pain they see an aura around objects. Some also report an increased sensitivity to sound. For most it becomes a battle to just hole up in a cool, dark room where there is no sound or light intruding.

What do I do if I get a migraine?

If you have prescription medication to stop the migraine you should definitely take it. The problem is that most people do not realize that the headache they have is going to turn into a migraine until it has already happened. At that point all you can do is take the medication and use a few techniques for minimizing the pain and nausea. If you are lucky you have a prescription medication that is injectable or one that dissolves beneath your tongue. These are very fast acting but you have to be wary. Once you have taken these medications you will not be able to drive anywhere. So if you are at work, school or generally away from an area you can rest for an extended period of time, you will have to wait. After you have taken your medication or received it from your physician in the form of a shot, you need to lay down in a cool, dark place and rest. Ideally there should be little light and little sound as these can aggravate the symptoms. Most of the medications that you can receive for a migraine are going to put you to sleep, which in actuality is the best thing for you at that time. If you do not have a prescription and cannot make it in to see your regular physician you may need to go to the Emergency Room if it becomes unbearable.

How do migraines affect work productivity?

When a person develops a migraine it becomes their sole focus. All they want to do is get into a dark, silent place and rest until it goes away. This of course leads to less work productivity. Workers have to call in sick or leave work during their shift. A person who suffers from chronic migraines that are not under control may wind up losing their job because of the sick time they are forced to use. And if they cannot take the time off, the work productivity still suffers because they cannot get as much done.

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