Migraines

Migraines are different from other headaches because they can occur with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light, they may last anywhere from 4 to 72 hours, and they vary greatly from person to person and so does the treatment.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a migraine can vary greatly and some people may have only one or a few of these symptoms. Symptoms may include a nausea, vomiting, and paleness.  There may be a visual aura such as seeing spots, lines, or flashing lights before or during a migraine.  Many of theses symptoms may arise from constriction of blood vessels in the brain.

Aura

Some migraine sufferers can predict the onset of a migraine because it is preceded by an “aura,” a visual disturbance that appears as flashing lights, zig-zag lines or a temporary loss of vision. Aura refers to an array of psychologic or neurologic disturbances that occur shortly before migraine onset  they can anwhere between 15 to 30 minutes on average.  Auras may occur before or after your head pain, and sometimes the pain and aura overlap, or the pain never occurs.   Ocular migraine symptoms are temporary and do not harm the eye; but they can interfere with daily activities.

Treatment

For specific medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment, consult your doctor.  There are two ways to approach the treatment of migraine headache with drugs: prevent the attacks, or relieve the symptoms during the attacks.

Migraines occur more often in women than men.  Migraines usually begin in early childhood, adolescence, or young adult life.  Migraines vary greatly from person to person and so does the treatment.  Consult with your health care provider about the best form of pain relief for your migraines.