A migraine headache is a persistent and severe throbbing pain that occurs in varying intensity causing a severe pulsing sensation on one side of the head. It is often accompanied by an extreme sensitivity to light and sound as well as vomiting and nausea. A cluster headache is an intense pain in or around your eye or side of the head that commonly awakens you in the middle of the night. It occurs in clusters hence different from migraines. A migraine can be severe cause significant a disabling pain for hours or even days. A migraine headache can be treated using given self-help remedies, lifestyle changes, and preventive medications. You can also seek treatment options from your doctor like prescribed pain relievers to make them less painful. Here is what you need to know about a migraine headache.

What causes migraines?

• Changes in the brainstem and its interactions with the trigeminal nerve
• Hormonal changes are especially common in women
• Oral contraceptives
• Hormone replacement therapy
• Feeding on aged cheeses, salty foods, and processed foods as well as ingesting food sweeteners and preservatives.
• Skipping meals or fasting
• Highly caffeinated beverages and alcohol, especially wine
• Stress
• Sensory stimuli like bright light, loud sounds, and scents
• A change in your sleeping pattern
• Intense physical exertion
• A sudden change in the environment like a change in weather patterns

What are the Warning Signs for a Migraine?

• Experiencing flashes of light
• Blind spots as well as bright spots
• A tingling sensation on one side of the face, in your arm or leg
• Constipation
• Mood changes and shifts
• Increased food cravings
• Neck stiffness
• Increased thirst and urination
• Frequent yawns
• Loss or poor vision
• A numbness on one side of your body
• Speech difficulties
• Sensitivity to hearing noises or music
• Uncontrollable jerking movements within the body

What are the Common Symptoms of a Migraine?

• Dull pain on your face or neck
• An acute, frequent, severe and throbbing headache
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Sensitive to light, smells, and sound
• Nausea and vomiting
• Distorted vision including seeing flashes of light and blind spots
• Irritability, nasal congestion, and tenderness of the scalp

What are the Recommended Self-care Options for Migraine Pain Relief?

• Avoid migraine triggers like alcohol, caffeine or inconsistent sleep patterns
• Pursue an enjoyable activity or verbalizing frustration to help manage your stress and improve mental health
• Adopt good sleep practices such as having a regular bedtime schedule as well as avoiding naps and caffeine before bedtime
• Modify your diet reducing triggers causing migraines and address dietary deficiencies

What are the Most Effective Ways to Manage Migraines?

• Administering medications like the antipsychotic, analgesic, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, nerve pain medication, neurotoxins, and dietary supplements
• Progressive muscle relaxation
• Acupuncture
• Get enough sleep
• Rest and relax in a quiet room and apply gentle pressure to painful areas on your scalp
• Biofeedback helps you to monitor and control certain physical responses such as muscle tension related to stress
• Massage therapy
• Cognitive behavioral therapy helping you understand behaviors and thoughts affect how you perceive pain
• Some herbs, vitamins, and minerals are known to relieve migraines