Understanding & Treating Migraine Pain

The condition known as “migraine pain” is one that affects far more individuals than many people may even realize. Studies show that millions of individuals suffer from migraine pain on a regularly occurring or “chronic” basis. Understanding the history behind migraine pain as well as what the risk factors, triggers, as well as warning signs are can help individuals to be able to recognize when migraine pain might be coming their way. Being able to recognize when migraine pain is about to occur is vital so that preventative and abortive treatments can take place in order to reduce the amount of symptoms and suffering the individual might experience with their migraine pain.

Risk Factors, Triggers & Warnings Signs
There are factors that occur that make a person more prone to experiencing migraine pain. Risk factors can include gender, family history, additional medical issues, as well as hormonal changes and age. Triggers on the other hand are physiological, physical or environmental factors that can in fact “trigger” the occurrence of migraine pain. Some of the most common triggers of migraine pain are as follows:
• Stress – is a trigger that affects far more people than they realize when it comes to the occurrences of migraine pain. Of course in the day and age we live in stress is nearly impossible to avoid, it is important for those who are prone to experience migraine pain to avoid and decrease stress whenever and wherever possible.
• Hormones – as stated prior hormone can affect the occurrence of migraine pain, especially for women. Being aware of when these hormonal changes occur during the month can help women to decrease the occurrence of migraine pain when advanced preparation and preventative care is taken.
• Sleep – the amount of sleep can trigger a migraine pain whether it is too little or too much sleep. Those who are more prone to experiencing a migraine pain should try and stick to a schedule of sleep to make sure they get enough rest but not an overabundance of sleep which can trigger a migraine pain.
• Certain Lighting – especially lighting such as flashing, intense, bright, or visually stimulating light can trigger a migraine pain.
• Foods – there are also certain foods that can become triggers to a migraine pain in those who are prone to experience them. These foods include chocolates or aged cheeses (or any foods that have Tyramine in them), as well as alcohol, caffeine, food additives, and the ingestion of cold foods such as ice cream. It is recommended that those who are more prone to experience a migraine pain avoid these foods whenever possible.
• Fasting – additional studies show that fasting can also trigger a migraine pain. Therefore, it is recommended that those who are more prone to experience the occurrence of a migraine pain not skip meals of fast, but instead try to keep an even level of nutrition throughout the day in order to avoid migraine pain.

Lastly there are warnings signs which often times occur before a person will experience a full blown attack of migraine pain. The most common warning signs include fatigue, drowsiness, obsessive yawning, irritability, mood changes, or food cravings (especially for foods that are high in salt or sugar).

Treating Migraine Pain
Just as important as it is for individuals to be aware of the different risk factors, triggers or warning signs that occur with migraine pain it is also important for them to be aware of the many different options that exist for helping to reduce migraine pain. The use of medications, alternative treatments, or holistic treatments that exist to help treat and eliminate migraine pain are almost endless. The key is to find what works to relieve migraine pain on a personal and individual level rather than trying to approach treatment of migraine pain with a one size fits all idea.

1. Medications – are often times prescribed to help treat migraine pain. The most commonly used medications to treat migraine pain include Prophylactic medications (examples would be Calcium-Channel blockers, Beta Blockers, Antiserotonin Agents, Anticonvulsants, as well as Tricyclic Antidepressants). Other medications used for stopping migraine pain once it has begun include Vasoconstrictors, Ergot’s, or Triptans.
2. Alternative Treatments – can also help to reduce migraine pain. Some of the options for treating migraine pain in an alternative manner include the use of lifestyle changes, biofeedback, acupuncture, massage therapy, as well as chiropractic care.
3. Holistic Treatment Options – are also not out of the picture when it comes to treating migraine pain. One benefit of using holistic treatment options is that they can help to reduce migraine pain without any of the negative side effects which are commonly caused by prescription medications. Some of the most commonly used holistic treatment options for migraine pain are the use of exercise, diet, aromatherapy, garlic, primrose oil, cabbage leaf compresses, as well as lemon compresses.

Tags: Acetaminophen (a.k.a. Tylenol), migraine pain, migraine relief, Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), over the counter medication, treating migraines