Certain characteristics are typical

Certain characteristics of a migraine head-ache are typical. Migraine head-aches commonly reoccur for those who experience them. They are accompanied by severe to moderate pain, commonly described as throbbing. Usually a migraine head-ache lasts from four to seventy-four hours. When a person experiences a migraine head-ache, they notice normal exertion becoming very difficult to sustain. Symptoms that are common to this kind of a head-ache include fatigue, nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light. These can be disabling symptoms to those who experience them. Some times these symptoms are joined with visual disturbances which are referred to as auras. An aura is recognized as unusual flickering of light that can include spots and lines appearing in your vision. In some cases, a loss of vision is reported occur. Migraine head-aches are not life threatening although they can appear as such to those who are experiencing them for the first time. They can however, become a major disruption to a persons personal and professional life. This can be especially true when a person has confined themselves to a darkened room to lie down in order to alleviate their symptoms.

 

Experts are unsure of the cause of migraine head-aches. They do know that they are affected by chemical imbalances that can occur in the brain. These will cause the blood vessels to expand in your head. The resulting sensation is pain! These types of head-aches are often triggered by things such as alcohol. This is especially true of beer and red-wine. Caffeine can similarly affect them as well. The same is true for eye strain, bright light, direct glare from the sun and changes in the weather. Some foods are often blamed for the onslaught of a migraine head-ache. Chocolate, aged cheeses, onions, cured meats and nuts are among these. Food additives such as MSG and aspartame are likewise blamed for triggering a migraine head-ache. The experts also recognize changes in hormonal levels, especially those associated with a women’s menstrual cycle, as being a major contributor to migraine head-aches. These types of migraines are typically referred to as menstrual migraines.