With today's hectic lifestyle, everyone is affected by an occasional bad headache. There are different types of headaches and almost everyone at some point will experience one. A headache is probably the most common type of pain people have. Of the many different types of headaches, migraine headaches are one of the most common. Most people who have migraine headaches usually describe them as a throbbing or pounding pain usually on one side of the head.

Unlike regular tension headaches that most people get, migraine headaches usually come along with other symptoms such as nausea, dizziness and sensitivity to light. The severity of these symptoms usually depends on the persons physical activity or daily routine. For most people a migraine headache will last from 30 minutes to 6 hours. However some can last up to 48 hours or more.

Causes and Triggers of Migraine Headaches There are different opinions about the exact cause of migraine headaches. However, many researchers believe that a migraine headache is caused by narrowing and expanding of the blood vessels in the brain. While opinions differ on the exact cause of this persistent headache, the following things are known to trigger migraine attacks.

• changes in sleep patterns
• stress
• menstrual periods
• skipping a meal
• excessive caffeine
• certain foods such as alcohol, chocolate, ice cream, fatty or fried foods

Treatment and Prevention There are many nonprescription medications that can help relieve the pain when taken soon after a migraine attack starts.. The longer the pain continues the more difficult it may be to find relief. If theses over the counter medications don't help, your doctor may prescribe other medications to help prevent or lessen the symptoms of a persistent headache or migraine attack.

There are also a few home remedies that have been known to help relieve the symptoms of a migraine headache. These remedies include: placing a cold rag on your forehead, increasing your intake of salt, and sleeping or resting. Physical activity may worsen the pain.

Many people just live with the recurring pain of a bad headache instead of getting help to find relief. As with most physical ailments, prevention is always the best "medicine". Since each persons experience with migraines can be so different, it is a good idea to keep a diary of your headaches and how they affect you. If you understand more about your headaches you will be able to prevent or relieve them more quickly when they attack.

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