Migraine headaches are often intensely painful to the people who suffer them. They can last for days and make it impossible to function well in daily activities. The symptoms of a migraine are quite specific, and all intense headaches are not necessarily migraines. Treating a migraine headache may involve doing several things to make you feel better.
Types
In general, migraines are either classic migraines or common migraines. Classic and common are not designations of how intense the pain is or even necessarily the cause of the migraine, but rather of how the migraine headache manifests itself. Classic migraines may announce themselves with an aura, tingling, numbness, disorientation or visual disturbances--such as spots or blurring of vision--from 15 minutes to a half hour before the pain begins. Common migraines do not begin with an aura. Only about 20 to 30 percent of those who suffer migraine get classic migraines.
Symptoms
Symptoms of migraines are the same for both types of migraines (except for the aura stage). Not everyone gets all these symptoms, however. Early symptoms include mental mood changes, mental confusion, slurred speech, drowsiness, increased sensitivity to smells, sound, light, or even touch, numbness, tingling, cold hands, cold feet, thirst, paleness, food cravings and bowel problems.
The actual migraine pain symptoms are throbbing pain that occurs on one side of the head, pain in the eyes, temples, on top of the head, in the jaw, in one nostril and in the neck. The pain may last from a few hours to up to three days. Also associated with migraines are nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, chills, fever, muscle spasms in the back, neck stiffness and increased urination.
Medical Treatment
Once a migraine is diagnosed, doctors will prescribe medications for your migraine or recommend over-the-counter treatments. Over-the-counter treatments may include generally targeted ibuprofen or other NSAIDS (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to get rid of the inflammation that causes migraines. Prescription medication may include triptans or ergotamine, both of which are more specifically targeted to migraines and which may be administered by mouth, by nose or by injections.
Alternative Treatments
Some alternative treatments for migraines include acupuncture, massage therapy, biofeedback and ginger root. In the Natural Health Guide to Headache Relief (see References), the authors recommend the ingestion of ginger root to help ease the pain of migraine headaches associated with nausea. For an infusion, mix 1/3 teaspoon of ginger powder thoroughly in a cup of water and drink it slowly. But don't take ginger root powder without water, and don't take it if you're pregnant.
Warning
If you haven't yet seen a doctor about an intense headache you suspect is a migraine, do so to accurately get it diagnosed and rule out any other problem. Not every bad headache is a migraine, and not every treatment method works for everyone or is indicated for everyone.
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