At some point in your life you’ll suffer from a headache. These can be deliberating and make it difficult to perform your normal functions. But, they tend to go away after a short time with the help of painkillers.
However, if you’re suffering from regular headaches and they are particularly painful you’re probably experiencing migraines. The good news is you’re not alone and there are things you can do to help.
It’s important to understand the symptoms of a migraine, the possible causes, and the best treatment options. This will help you to take back control and live your life.
Symptoms of Migraines
A migraine can last for several hours or sometimes for days. You may experience some of the following symptoms just before they occur or while the migraine is present.
- Dizziness
- Feeling Faint
- Mild Head Pain before leading to intense pain during
- Reaction to bright lights
- Visualization issues
There are other symptoms that can arrive just before or with a migraine. Of course, the predominant symptom is the pain that prevents a sufferer from undertaking normal activities.
Treatment Options
The first thing you should do if you suffer from regular migraines is to contact physio wellers hill. Physiotherapists are trained to reduce stress and facilitate movement.
This makes them uniquely placed to assist you in dealing with the pain and reducing your stress levels, one of the most common causes of migraines.
They’ll also teach you techniques that can help reduce the effects or even stop a migraine as it starts.
Painkillers
Taking painkillers can take the edge off a migraine. However, you may find that you need stronger painkillers each time and this can be addictive, leading to a different set of issues.
It’s best to consult with a doctor regarding the right painkillers and dosage.
Rest
Currently, there is not a cure for migraines unless an underlying cause is found. The best treatment option is to rest n a darkened room. Drinking plenty of water before, during, and even after the migraine should also help.
Some people will also find it beneficial to increase physical exercise and avoid certain foods as this can reduce the likelihood of a migraine attack.
Causes
The main cause of migraines appears to be stress. That’s why it’s essential that you get professional help to reduce your stress levels. When you’re unable to avoid stressful situations you need to develop a way of dealing with them and keeping your stress levels low.
Other causes include
- Hormonal changes
This is particularly relevant for women during menstruation or even as they go through the menopause. The changing levels are known to trigger migraines although it is unclear why this is the case.
- Emotions
We’ve already mentioned stress but this is only one possible emotional trigger. Extreme emotions, whether excitement or depression, can also trigger a migraine.
- Tiredness
When your body is tired it is unable to function normally which increases the likelihood of a migraine attack. In conjunction with tiredness, research suggests low blood sugar levels can contribute to the likelihood of an attack.
- Diet
Allergic reactions are a common cause of migraines. It can be difficult to calculate which foods are causing the issue but keeping a food diary should help.
Eliminating the problem food should stop the migraines from returning.
- Medications
You should also be aware that some medications can increase the likelihood of migraines. If you’ve just changed medications, and have started to get migraines, check the side-effects. You may need to try a different medication.