Migraine headache facts

Migraine headache facts

• Migraine headache is a result of specific changes within the brain. It causes severe head pain that is often accompanied by sensitivity to light, sound, or smells.
• Common symptoms of migraine are:
  • Eye pain
  • Sensitivity to light or sound
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Severe pain, usually on one side of the head that some individuals describe as "pounding"
• Other types of headaches can also cause severe pain, and not all headaches are migraines. For example, some people describe the pain of cluster headaches as the worst pain they have experienced.
• The exact cause of migraines is not known. Changes in neurotransmitter levels within the brain are thought to play a role.
• Migraines are diagnosed by the typical clinical signs and symptoms.
• A number of factors can trigger migraines to include:
  • hormonal changes,
  • stress,
  • strong stimuli like loud noises, and
  • certain foods.
• Treatment of migraine involves over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medications.
• Prescription medications used to relieve the pain of migraine include the triptans, for example,
  • sumatriptan (Imitrex, Alsuma, Imitrex STATdose System, Sumavel DosePro),
  • rizatriptan (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT),
  • eletriptan (Relpax),
  • zolmitriptan (Zomig, Zomig-ZMT),
  • naratriptan Amerge),
  • almotriptan (Axert), and
  • frovatriptan (Frova).
• Lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise may be useful to help migraine sufferers manage the triggers of their condition.
• Avoiding dietary triggers of migraines may be able to help some patients decrease the frequency of attacks.
• Some people find that exercises, such asyoga, that promote muscle relaxation are helpful in pain management.
• Most people with migraines find their condition to be manageable with a combination of medications and lifestyle modifications.
• Preventive medications of a variety of drug classes may be used in some patients to decrease the frequency of migraines.