A migraine is a common type of headache that may occur with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light. In many people, a throbbing pain is felt only on one side of the head. Some people who get migraines have warning symptoms, called migraine aura, before the actual headache begins. Migraine aura is a group of symptoms, including vision disturbances. To understand migraine first you have to know about symptoms,migraine causes and treatments.
Migraine Symptoms:
Vision disturbances and migraine aura, are considered migraine symptoms “warning sign” that a migraine is coming. The migraine aura occurs in both eyes and may involve any or all of the following:
- A temporary blind spot, Blurred vision, Eye pain.
- The headache starts as a dull ache and get worse within minutes to hours.
- Problems concentrating, trouble finding words.
- Feeling mentally dull, like your thinking is not clear or sharp.
- Loss of appetite, Nausea and vomiting, Numbness, tingling or weakness.
- Sensitivity to light or sound, Sweating, Increased need for sleep and Neck pain.
Migraine Causes:
A migraine is caused by abnormal brain activity, which can be triggered by a number of factors. However, the exact chain of events remains unclear. The changes affect blood flow in the brain and surrounding tissues. Alcohol, stress and anxiety, certain odors or perfumes, loud noises or bright lights, and smoking may trigger a migraine. Migraine attacks may also be triggered by:
- Caffeine withdrawal.
- Changes in hormone levels during a woman’s menstrual cycle or with the use of birth control pills.
- Changes in sleep patterns.
- Exercise or other physical stress.
- Missed meals.
- Smoking or exposure to smoke.
Migraine headaches can be triggered by certain foods. The most common are:
- Any processed, fermented, pickled, or marinated foods, as well as foods that contain monosodium glutamate (MSG).
- Baked goods, chocolate, nuts, peanut butter, and dairy products.
- Foods containing tyramine, which includes red wine, aged cheese, smoked fish, chicken livers, figs, and certain beans.
- Fruits (avocado, banana, citrus fruit).
- Meats containing nitrates (bacon, hot dogs, salami, cured meats).
Migraine Treatments:
There is no specific cure for migraine headaches. The goal is to treat your migraine symptoms right away, and to prevent symptoms by avoiding or changing your triggers. A key step involves learning how to manage your migraines at home. Following are some home remedies which help you to get relief from migraine.
- Use Tea Tree Oil and massage into tensed muscles. The oil helps your hands massage into the skin and will not only feel better but will really relieve the tension and migraine.
- Drink hot tea when you feel a migraine coming. First, you want to relax your body. First drink the hot tea and allow your body to relax further.
- Take a hot shower and let the hot water penetrate into your neck. Stay in the shower for as long as you need. The more the hot water penetrated into your neck, the more pressure will be relieved.
- Apply an ice bag to your neck. There is a numbing effect that occurs that will relieve the migraine.
- Take Vitamin B12 every day. Having a lack of this vitamin in your body can trigger a migraine. Stop the migraines beforehand!
Remember that migraines can be overcome. Keep trying remedies till you find the one that works for you. Each remedy helps different people. They key is finding the one that will relieve your migraine. Don’t give up!