Migraine Causes & Cure

Migraines are periodic attacks of debilitating pain that often radiates from one side of the head. There may be many other symptoms, including dizziness, vomiting, blurred vision and extreme sensitivity to light, sound and smell. No two attacks are alike, except that the pain eventually goes away, usually after one day. In order to get proper treatment for migraines, try to discern what is triggering your attacks. There are also various cures available on the market, particularly drugs that can be prescribed by your doctor.

Medication

• Medication may be the cure for a migraine attack---but it may also be the cause. Migraines can be one of the body's withdrawal symptoms to drugs it is accustomed to taking, even medications used to treat migraines. This type of headache is called a "rebound migraine." According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the only way to prevent this type of migraine is to gradually taper off the particular medication. This should be done under a doctor's supervision, as withdrawal symptoms can sometimes become so bad that the patient needs medical assistance.

The Role of Caffeine and Diet

• The caffeine in chocolate, beverages and some over-the-counter pain medications (such as Excedrin) can both cause and cure a migraine. Some people are sensitive to caffeine and cannot consume any without courting a migraine, while others have caffeine-withdrawal migraines that can only be soothed by ingesting caffeine. Various foods have are also common migraine triggers, including red wine, aged meats and cheeses, beef and processed meats. Unlike caffeine-related migraines, eating these foods only makes things worse.

The Role of Gender

• Women are three times more likely to get migraines than men. One of the theories behind this is that a drop in estrogen during the menstrual cycle or during menopause triggers migraines in some women. According to "Menstrual Migraines," hormone-replacement therapy can trigger migraines in some women with a history of headaches.

Other Triggers

• There are numerous underlying medical conditions that can cause migraines, including high blood pressure, diabetes and spinal problems. Other triggers that people with migraines often note include strong smells, lack of sleep, sudden changes in barometric pressure, flickering lights and stress. In order to discover these triggers and avoid them, the National Headache Foundation recommends keeping a migraine "diary" so that you can track what happened right before an attack.

Prescription Drugs

• Preventive medications include blood-pressure medications such as beta blockers and calcium channel blockers, anti-seizure medications and antidepressants. Painkillers used to quell an attack include NSAIDs, ergotamine and, in emergencies, opiates. Medications known as triptans constrict blood vessels in the brain and should be taken as soon as you feel a migraine coming on; commonly prescribed triptans include Imitrex, Zomig, Maxalt and Amerge.

Warning

• Migraines can also be a symptom of glaucoma, stroke, brain aneurysm or meningitis. If the pain is far more intense than usual or is accompanied by other symptoms like a rash, numbness, high fever or loss of coordination, have someone drive you to a hospital immediately or call emergency-medical personnel.