Migraines: A Bodily Mess-Up

Why is the condition of chronic migraines so difficult to treat? Millions of men and women of all ages suffer from an intense headache that literally leaves them immobilized. A migraine headache is caused by an enlargement of blood vessels that creates a series of chemicals to be released and attack arteries in the brain. Once the chemicals have been released to wreak their havoc, the enlarging of the arteries begins to send painful symptoms that only magnifies until the arteries have stopped expanding or migraine relief has been found.
The pain associated with a migraine headache is so intense that a person becomes increasingly sensitive to light and sound which in return leaves them unable to function in an environment where light and noise are common occurrences. The increased sensitivity to light and sound makes it a challenge for one suffering from a migraine headache to function in their workplace effectively, when all they desire is a nice quiet dark place to lie down until the throbbing stops and sanity returns.
Migraines are unique and separate from headaches yet many people get the two confused. The difference does not lie only with the chemical changes but in other respects as well. In order to prevent misdiagnoses it would be wise for individuals that experience head pain to read up on the following criteria or differences between a headache and a migraine.
Are Migraines Preventable And What Prevention Tool Is Best?
There are a few steps one can take to reduce the chances of developing a migraine such as:
1. Avoid Migraine Triggers
2. Preventative Medication

Not very exciting or promising is it? The truth is one could spend every hour of their day trying to avoid triggers and common risk factors but neither of the steps mentioned is 100% effective in preventing a migraine from creeping in and causing pain and frustration so the next step is preventative methods. The most common preventative measures are avoiding triggers or factors that can set off a migraine or take medication to help lessen the chances of a migraine developing.
Individuals that suffer from mild migraines on rare occasions tend to treat their migraine headaches with over the counter medications. Over-the-counter medication can help relieve migraine pain temporarily and should be administered as instructed by the manufacturer. There are two types of over the counter medication.
1. Acetaminophen (a.k.a. Tylenol)
2. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Though medicating with over-the-counter medicine would be the ideal way to treat a migraine, there are those cases that need something more drastic in their approach to treating a migraine headache. This approach could include prescription medication. A few of the medication that a doctor might prescribe to assist with lessening the occurrence of migraines would be:
 Anti-depressants
 Anti-Seizure Medication
 Blood Pressure Medication

Migraine prevention is by trial and error and the first several prevention methods may or may not work, the important thing is to keep searching and testing out various therapies until something clicks and works.
Treatment Options
Treating migraines can be done through various forms and methods. One of the most common forms of treatment is the use of prescription medications but medications are not the only treatment options available. There are two treatment options that are often overlooked but should not necessarily be ruled out.
Migraine Surgery
Migraine surgery has been a treatment option for those individuals who simply do not respond well to medication and feel that their quality of life is habitually hindered as a result of their lack of response to other treatment options. Removal of the superficial blood vessels in your scalp will need to be had in order to limit and possibly remove all signs of migraine pain forever. However, before the surgery could happen, a doctor must first determine with absolute certainty that it is indeed the superficial blood vessels causing the intense migraine pain before operating.
Trigger Sites
There is reason to believe that by the removing of muscles or nerves in certain areas that are considered trigger sites could be helpful in relieving migraines. Trigger sites are said to exist where sensory nerves are stimulated by a certain muscle, due to the stimulation caused by the muscle a series of painful symptoms begin to develop thus creating a migraine. Migraine surgery such as this one is not often considered as a migraine headache treatment plan unless no other form of migraine treatment is providing the needed relief to improve quality of life.

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