Migraine is a complex disorder that can be debilitating for some sufferers who experience severe pain and associated symptoms. A migraine attack can last from several hours to several days. The pain is often described as throbbing, pounding, or pulsating. It is usually confined to one side of the head, although it can shift from one side to the other or affect the whole head. The other symptoms depend on what type of migraine the person is experiencing. The frequency of migraine attacks can vary from two or three a year to two or more a week. When they occur 15 or more days in a month, they are termed chronic migraines.
Sometimes it can be difficult to distinguish a migraine from a severe tension headache. The following chart highlights some differences between the two headache types.
Is It a Migraine or a Tension Headache?
| Migraine | Tension Headache |
|---|---|
| Moderate to severe throbbing or pulsating pain | Mild to moderate steady pain |
| Pain is usually on just one side of the head; may be concentrated around the eye, temple, or behind the ear | Pain is on the front, sides, and back of the head, possibly spreading to the neck |
| Pain is aggravated by movement | General feeling of tightness or stiffness (may feel like a tight band around the head) |
| Nausea/vomiting, and/or sensitivity to light or sound |
Migraines?
Any ideas on treating migraines? Ibuprofen works well for me, but I am getting an ulcer from using so much. Thanks.
The One is a really dispicable person, eh?
Had to report him for abuse. I would sure hate to see his sorry excuse for a human removed from this site : )
Best answer:
Answer by barbi316
There are many different treatments for migraines. Often doctors recommend trying a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) first, such as aspirin or ibuprofen. NSAIDs have fewer side effects than migraine drugs. You may also try to reduce the number of migraines you experience by identifying and avoiding triggers that lead to migraines.
If NSAIDs do not effectively treat your migraines, your doctor may suggest prescription drugs that treat or prevent migraines:
Certain headache drugs known as triptans (such as Imitrex, Amerge, and Axert) are often used to treat a migraine as it is starting.
Preventive headache drugs such as propranolol (for example, Inderal), divalproex (Depakote), or tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline or nortriptyline) are used to prevent migraines in some people who get them regularly.
Nontraditional treatments, such as acupuncture or the herb feverfew, may be added to drug treatment to help reduce headache pain or the number of migraines you experience, although more research is needed to confirm whether these alternative therapies actually work.
You may be able to reduce frequent migraines by avoiding triggers, such as certain foods, stress, and changes in your daily routine, although it is not clear how or why these events lead to migraines. Some common triggers of migraines include:
Consuming certain substances such as chocolate, monosodium glutamate (MSG), red wine, and caffeine.
Getting too much or not enough sleep.
Fasting or skipping meals.
Changes in the weather or barometric pressure.
Stress or intense emotions.
Strong odors or cigarette smoke.
Bright lights or reflected sunlight.
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Caffeine, drink coffee. Make sure you stay away from bright lights. When it gets bad, go to bed in a dark room and put a cold face cloth on your head.
Depends on whether or not hormones are part of the problem. Do you get them once a month or all the time? You may want to check out the symptoms link at dealpain.net to see if you have other symptoms of low blood sugar – or sugar imbalance of any sort – as that will definitely make migraines worse, if not cause them in the first place.
Ive been taking Hydrocodone (vicodin) for a couple weeks, works wonders on migraines although only available by prescription, and HIGHLY addictive.
You are lucky you can get away with ibuprofen for your migraines. Tylenol 3 used to work for me. Most meds seem to affect the stomach and liver though. Migraine specific meds such as imitrex, maxalt, emerge, etc. work really well. You take them at the first sign of a migraine.
Headache is a pain in the head, scalp or
neck. Headaches can becaused by minor problems like
eyestrain, lack of coffee or moreserious reasons like
head injury, brain tumors, encephalitis andmeningitis.
Taking painkillers continuously can have harmful side
effects, so it is better to modify your lifestyle. More information
I like excedrine. Works very good when I need it to.