Is it? Is it not? Could it be just a headache? How can you tell it’s a migraine? These are questions every migraine sufferer asks when migraines first make an appearance into their lives. Not just that, there are two kinds – the classic migraine and the common migraine. The choice becomes even more difficult as you suffer – which one do you have?

First of all, a migraine headache isn’t just a headache. It is usually accompanied by one or more symptoms – nausea, dizziness, blurring of the vision, not being able to face bright lights, etc. Secondly, a migraine, unlike a headache, lasts a long time. From over an hour to a few days if it’s a bad case.

More often than not, migraine sufferers experience auras. This is one of the differentiating features of migraines. Migraines happen when the blood vessels which constrict because of serotonin, begin dilating and causing pain in the nerves. A tension headache on the other hand, affects the whole head and rarely lasts as long as a migraine. It is also not accompanied by these other symptoms.

Let’s look at the two types of migraines. You have the common one which develops more slowly. Before an attack, there is usually anxiety or depression. There could also be spells of yawning and tiredness or irritability. Once the pain starts, it usually settles on one side of the head.

A classic migraine on the other hand has various stages it goes though.

First comes the prodome stage which might begin with the same low feeling or with irritability like the common migraine.

It then goes into the aura stage in about 24 hours. Here, the blood vessels narrow and there is an aura you see which fills up half of each eye. There could also be other disturbing things like spots, bright flashes, zigzag lights, etc which you see. When it’s bad, there could also be burning sensations and weakness. This could last up to half an hour at times.

Then comes the third stage where the blood vessels dilate and let the blood flow into the brain. This is when the bad pain begins. In the classic migraine this could be on both sides of the brain or only on one side. Sometimes there is just one spot that hurts unbearably. Bright light and noise very often aggravate the condition. The final stage is utter exhaustion.

Only a migraine sufferer knows how bad his condition can be. That is why it is important to see a doctor as soon as you feel you have started getting migraines. At least you will have medication to help you through the very painful parts.

It’s tough to have your life come to a halt because of a migraine. It’s worse if you get them often. It could ruin your chances at your place of work and interfere with your personal and social life, too. That’s why a physician’s help is essential. Today, there are specialists who have experience in dealing with the problem. It is better to go and seek their opinion than to suffer so much pain.



By: Tom Sample

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Anyone that suffers from frequent and persistent migraine headaches may be ready to try just about anything to get them to stop, and to keep them from every coming back. Between the pain, the nausea, and the dizziness, sufferers often find themselves willing to try just about any of the migraine treatments that are available to them. In this article we’ll list some of the most effective treatments, and some that are considered “alternative” but that seem to work for many.

Beta blockers are among the most common migraine treatments prescribed today. They work by slowing down the heartbeat and were originally designed to treat high blood pressure; the slower the heartbeat, the lower the blood pressure. Many have found that they are very effective as migraine treatments as well, as they slow the nerve impulses that may trigger migraines. If you’ve been prescribed beta blockers, be sure to follow your doctor’s order completely.

Another medicine that is usually prescribed for high blood pressure but that works as effective migraine treatments are calcium channel blockers. These cause the blood vessels to relax, which is how they affect blood pressure and relieve migraines. Like beta blockers, calcium channel blockers need to be taken exactly as prescribed.

There are other migraine treatments that are not as harsh as these and which don’t require a prescription. For example, one study in Belgium found that persons who took Vitamin B2 daily had about 30% fewer migraines than they did before. Feverfew leaf is one of the most common homeopathic migraine treatments, and is also used to treat arthritis. It seems to work as an anti-inflammatory agent and controls the release of serotonin, which is believed to contribute to migraines.

Botox injections are quickly becoming popular migraine treatments. As they paralyze the nerves, they prevent them from sparking a migraine headache. While there is still much debate over the use of Botox injections as migraine treatments, many who have tried them have reported that they do seem to work. If all other options have failed, you may speak to your doctor about them.

Acupuncture is another of those migraine treatments that is still considered alternative. This may be because it is still unclear to many doctors and scientists as to why acupuncture works the way that it does. Many experts assert that it is really nothing more than suggestive and has no real medical value. However, many who have tried it report that it does work, and since it seems to do no harm, it can be considered as an option for those who have tried everything else, or who do not want to try harsh medicines.

Of course, preventing a migraine in the first place is always one of the best migraine treatments there is. If you know that a particular set of circumstances will trigger a migraine in you, such as certain foods, bright lights, and undue stress, do what you can to avoid or reduce these. Take up a relaxing hobby such as yoga or meditation and mind your diet. After all, what’s the point of researching migraine treatments if you won’t do what you can to prevent them from happening in the first place?



By: Alyssa Nair

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