Some Causes Of Migraine Headaches

Migraine headaches can be debilitating issue that interferes severely with daily functioning and quality of life.  Preventing and treating migraine headaches, however, is certainly possible with the right combination of medicine and therapy.  The exact causes of migraine headaches are still something of a mystery in the medical community, but it is widely held that serotonin levels in the brain play a significant role in the formation of migraine headaches.  Low serotonin levels are usually accompanied by a migraine headache.  

A migraine headache can oftentimes be accompanied by an “aura.”  An aura occurs with what are called classic migraine headaches.  In a classic migraine attack, the sufferer may experience changes in vision, such as strange colors or spots that develop.  Tenderness in the scalp is another sign of an oncoming migraine headache.  Alterations in mood can also occur, such as depression or irritability.  These subtle symptoms can manifest as early as a day before the episode.  The following migraine headaches usually come about with a high degree of intensity, but do not last long.  

Common migraine headache symptoms are a more prolonged variation of the problem, and can last for long periods of time.  This can be seriously debilitating, and can be a real impediment to daily life.  Fortunately, many medications exist to alleviate migraine pain.  Sleep and plenty of fluids are very important in helping to prevent the onset of migraine headaches.  During an attack, go to a quiet and dimly lit area.  Use a cold compress to reduce the tension, and massage the scalp with a fair amount of pressure.  Stress is believed to be one of the top causes of migraine headaches, and should therefore be avoided as much as possible. Some foods are also believed to play a significant role in migraine development.

Physicians recommend, for example, that sufferers consider avoiding red wine altogether.  Canned and processed meat are also known as frequent causes of migraine headaches.  Cause of headaches can also include excess amounts of caffeine, aged cheese, or cultured dairy products.  Chronic migraine episodes are reason to see a doctor or specialist about the potential causes.