Migraine Headache Relief
These days very common migraine headaches can cause intense pulsing or throbbing in one area of the head. This type of a headache can also cause a sufferer to feel nauseous, induce bouts of vomiting and can give the sufferer the feeling of increased sensitivity to sound and light. The National Headache Foundation estimates that nearly 30 million Americans suffer from migraine headaches, most of them searching for the ultimate migraine relief.
Types of Migraine Headache & Their Importance
Women are more prone to migraines then men and a fourth of all women with migraines experience at least four attacks monthly. A migraine headache can last anywhere from four hours to several days. People in search of migraine headache relief must first know what types of migraines they are suffering from as there are many different variations.
Migraine symptoms that signify the onset of a migraine are used to describe two types of migraine: A migraine with an aura which is known as a “classic” migraine and a migraine without an aura which is referred to as a “common” migraine. Migraines typically begin in childhood to early adulthood and there is usually a family history present. This suggests a genetic pre-disposition in migraine sufferers. Many people search for migraines relief after the onset of their first migraine, however, one should know which migraine type he/she is suffering from so that an appropriate migraine headaches treatment can be used.
Migraine Headache Relief Symptoms & Remedies
An aura is a warning sign that a migraine headache is about to begin. It can consist of an experience of 'seeing' bright lights or flashing spots, blind spots, impaired vision, a temporary loss of vision and/or wavy lines in the visual field. Some people describe their aura as being a “strange feeling”. It is not uncommon for a migraine sufferer with auras to experience ringing in the ears or to experience changes in the way that they smell.
Between 40% and 60% of migraine headaches are preceded by warning symptoms that can last a few hours or a few days. These may include the inability to sleep, feelings of irritability, tiredness, depression or euphoria and cravings for sweet or salty foods.
Migraine headache relief can come in many forms as there are numerous home migraine remedies to try and many migraine medications on the market which provide migraine relief. A common home remedy to try is to apply ice to the painful area of the head. Taking a nap, a warm bath or going for a walk could also provide migraine relief. Many people find migraines relief by sitting or lying down quietly in a dimly lit room with their eyes closed. Sleeping could be the best migraine headache relief there is, if one is able to sleep.
Some over the counter or OTC medications which provide migraine headache relief include acetaminophen. This OTC medication such as Tylenol should not be taken for long periods of time as it can cause serious damage to the liver. People who drink moderate to large amounts of alcohol should not take acetaminophen so caution must be used. Non-aspirin NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) also can provide migraine relief such as ibuprofen like Advil, Motrin AB and Advil. NSAIDs relieve pain because they reduce the inflammation that triggers the pain.
Migraine-specific abortive medications such as triptans are often prescribed by doctors as they provide effective migraine headache relief for many people. Triptans do not relieve pain but rather they get to the cause of the headache which is the dilation of the temporal arteries. Tritpans cause the arteries to narrow so that the inflammation is reduced. Triptans such as Imitrex, Zomig, Amerge and Axert are commonly prescribed when home remedies or other simple measures fail.
Overall medications are not recommended and should be only taken when the home natural treatment fails. Medications do not cure the migraine causes but only the pain (only provide temporary migraines relief) and can lead to even more numerous migraine headaches.
We will delve deeper into more migraine headache relief specifics on this site and we will also go into detail regarding what is a migraine - how a migraine starts and develops.