Monday, December 21, 2009

Migraine Headaches - A Beginners Guide

By Niall Roche

If you're reading this then chances are you've been suffering from migraines for a while now - probably years. And what probably annoys you most is that people don't take migraines seriously - it's seen as just another headache; nothing amazing. But if you've had a migraine you'd understand that it isn't just another headache - it's usually hard to describe in words how painful they are. That's the type of "ignorance" us migraineurs have to put up with almost every day.

Most people will get their first migraine headache when they're teenagers or maybe just as they head into their 20s. Usually migraines will stick around to make you suffer for a few years and then they'll just stop - usually when you're well into your adult life. Some people, unfortunately, will be unlucky enough to have migraines hang around most of their adult lives.

Migraines are usually blamed on a problem with blood vessels in the head but there is new proof showing that migraines are caused by problems deeper in the brain itself. Don't panic it just means that one part of your brain kicks up a stink every so often and you pay the price by having to put up with yet another migraine headache.

How long can a migraine last? It all depends on the person really but on average a migraine will last from 24 - 72 hours. Personally a migraine for me lasts almost exactly 24 hours every single time. Sometimes I can cut that down to 10 - 12 hours if I take my medication in time and get home to bed.

So what can you blame migraines on? It's a long list and it changes from one person to the next. Many people will get a migraine if they're stressed, have too much caffeine or nicotine, chocolate or even too much exposure to bright lights. With other people they'll only get a migraine if they eat certain types of food or drinks. Some peoples migraines can be even be caused by a change in barometric pressure or put more simply - the weather.

You don't need to suffer though - there are treatments. Most of these treatments come in the form of pharmacy grade pain killers but these aren't very effective against a massive migraine. Usually you'll need a prescription painkiller but you'll need to watch out for side effects. If you want a more natural approach then the split second you feel a migraine coming go find a dark room and lay down. Cover your eyes with something and get as much rest as you can in total peace.

Migraines are a pain in the rear end but they can be lived with. They're not going to kill you but they can affect your quality of life - if you allow them too. Know your triggers and know your threshold. When the attack starts take action immediately - your suffering will be dramatically reduced.

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