 Three times more common in women than in men, a migraine is one of the most intense types of headache. The pain can be so debilitating that it puts sufferers’ lives on hold.
Experts still don’t fully understand the exact cause of migraines. For a long time, scientists thought migraines were linked to the dilation and constriction of blood vessels in the head. Now, the pain of migraine is suspected to be a consequence of neurovascular activation and production of inflammatory mediators. Experts do tend to notice that people affected by migraines often have an affected family member, suggesting an inherited trait, but it’s probably true the problem of recurrent migraine is a product of inheritance plus environmental and personal factors. “Sleep, stress, comorbid psychiatric conditions, such as anxiety and depression, and fitness, significantly impact headache frequency,” says SMG neurologist, Garth Turner, MD.
Prevention Is the Key
One of the best ways to manage a migraine is to prevent it from happening. Experts recommend keeping a record to determine what triggers your attacks, and then avoiding those triggers as much as possible. Common triggers include:
- Certain foods and beverages—including red wine, other alcoholic drinks, chocolate, processed meats, and aged cheeses
- Stress and anxiety
- Strong odors
- Too much or too little sleep
- Tobacco
- Hormone fluctuations during the menstrual cycle
Tips for Treating the Pain
If you find yourself in the grips of a migraine, these tips may help:
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as aspirin, acetaminophen, or one labeled specifically for migraine, as soon as you feel the attack coming on.
- Lie down and rest in a dark, quiet room.
- Place an ice pack or a cold towel over your forehead and close your eyes.
- Drink fluids.
- Apply pressure to the spot where you feel pain.
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