There are effective solutions for the misery of migraine

Migraine is one type of primary headache. A primary headache is a condition on its own, not caused by anything else.

Description

A migraine is a common type of headache that has specific diagnostic criteria. The tendency to have migraines is genetic.

A migraine is usually (but not always) confined to one side of the head and has an incessant, throbbing quality. It is often accompanied by sensitivity to light, sound and smells and may trigger nausea and/or vomiting. It can last for anywhere from an hour or two to several days.

There are several different types of migraines depending on whether they have warning symptoms (aura), eye involvement, or are painless – these are differentiated and diagnosed by a doctor, who might be a specialist. Knowing what type of migraine you have is important because it affects the kinds of treatments that will be most effective.

What It Feels Like

Symptoms vary from person to person, but common descriptions include feeling:
intense throbbing pain, being nauseated, feeling overwhelmed by light, sound and odors, feeling exhausted.

Diagnosis

Tools such as symptom journals and trigger tracking are helpful. Blood work and other lab testing might be necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Occasionally, a doctor will refer a patient with migraines to a headache specialist for additional assessment.

Treatment Options

Trigger avoidance is a key treatment. Diet and lifestyle changes may be recommended. Medications and/or supplements can be used to lessen your susceptibility and to reduce all symptoms, including the pain of the headache when it occurs.

Natural approaches to treating migraines include targeted supplementation with specific nutrients such as vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and magnesium.

Outlook

Migraine tendencies cannot be “cured” but they can be managed very effectively.

Most people with migraines find they have multiple triggers and usually several of these are active when headaches occur. Identifying and managing triggers can lead to lengthy periods of no headaches, and other treatments can make life bearable when they do occur.