Migraines are a disorder that is characterized by repetitive severe headaches. Generally, a migraine headache can cause pulsating, or throbbing pain, typically towards one side of the head in particular. These headaches can often be associated with vomiting, nausea, and extreme sensitivity to sound and light. For some people, they can last anywhere between four hours and three days. If you, or someone that you care about suffer from migraines, then you may be interested to learn more about migraine headache causes and treatments. Sometimes, the more you know, the more steps you can take to lessen your suffering.
Causes of Migraines
Because migraine is a complex disorder that involves both the blood vessels around the brain, and the brain itself, it is difficult for experts to establish all migraine headache causes and treatments. The brain can sometimes become hyperactive in response to particular environmental triggers, such as certain smells or light. This reaction can lead to a series of chemical changes that irritate the nerves around the head that sense pain, causing blood vessels to expand and further irritate the nerves.
At this point, we do not know the precise causes of all migraines, but it is possible to be aware of the potential habits, triggers and circumstances that can be associated with migraine headaches. Perhaps the number one trigger associated with migraine headache causes and treatments, is changes in hormone balance. Two thirds of women who suffer from migraines get their headaches exclusively around the time of their period.
Treating Migraines
There are no current cures available for people who suffer from migraines, but there are a number of treatments that can be helpful for easing the symptoms. One thing to remember about treating migraines, is that it can take some time for you and your doctor to discover the option that is best for you.
One common option for the treatment of migraines is the use of painkillers. Many people who suffer from these problems find that over-the-counter solutions such as paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin can be useful in reducing symptoms. Generally, painkillers are most effective if they are taken after the initial signs of a migraine occur, as they do take time to be absorbed into your blood stream. Soluble tablets that dissolve within a glass of water can be useful, because they are absorbed quickly into the body.
Combination Migraine Medicines
It is possible to buy certain combination medicines for treating your migraine from pharmacies without needing a prescription. These medication focus on reducing the pain that you may feel from your headache, as well as offering anti-sickness solutions too. If you're not sure which combination medication will work best for you, you can speak to your pharmacist for advice. Some people find that combination medicines are quite useful. However, sometimes the doses are not sufficient to relieve your symptoms. If this is the case for you, then you may find that taking the medications separately works better.
If combination treatments and painkillers do not work to manage your symptoms, then you could benefit from seeing a specialist migraine clinic doctor for treatment and investigation.