If you're anything like me then you've had to put with the pain of migraine headaches most of your life. What annoys most migraine sufferers is that so many people will frown when you complain about the pain of a migraine and tell you it's "just a headache". Migraines are anything but a normal headache - the pain is hard to describe and cause days or even weeks of incredible and sickening pain. Migraines have become so common that we even have our own special term now - we're called migraineurs.
Migraines usually make their first appearance when you're coming out of your teenage years and going into adulthood. You can expect your migraines to hang around until you've gone into your 30s - and then they tend to stop for no apparent reason. For the unlucky few migraines can last well into your 50s but they do eventually vanish.
Migraines are usually blamed on a problem with blood vessels in the head but there is new proof showing that migraines are caused by problems deeper in the brain itself. Don't panic it just means that one part of your brain kicks up a stink every so often and you pay the price by having to put up with yet another migraine headache.
How long do migraines last? It varies from one person to the next but you can expect to be unable to do anything for 1 - 3 days. My own migraines always lasted pretty much exactly 24 hours for some odd reason. I might be able to cut that down to 12 hours if I felt the attack coming on and took my medication (prescription painkillers) in good time.
So what causes those migraine attacks of yours? They're called migraine triggers and the exact cause varies for each person. Stress can bring on migraines for some people where for others it's too much caffeine, nicotine or chocolate. Bright lights are another major cause. So are the tannins you can find in red wine and tea. Some people even have migraines that are caused by a change in the weather patterns.
There is help available though - you don't need to suffer in silence. Over-the-counter medication is usually not nearly strong enough to deal with a major migraine. To have any hope of having a normal life while you're living with migraines you're probably going to need prescription painkillers. These are very effective but you need to watch out for side-effects such as addiction for example. The most effective way to treat a migraine is to head it off before it starts. Get home, draw the curtains and cover your eyes and ears. I find that total immersion in silence and dark (and maybe some painkillers) is the best way to deal with the problem.
So if you are suffering from migraines there's no real need to worry. They're not life threatening but they are a nuisance. If you watch what triggers your migraines and take painkillers in advance you can ward off the worst of the effects.
Migraines usually make their first appearance when you're coming out of your teenage years and going into adulthood. You can expect your migraines to hang around until you've gone into your 30s - and then they tend to stop for no apparent reason. For the unlucky few migraines can last well into your 50s but they do eventually vanish.
Migraines are usually blamed on a problem with blood vessels in the head but there is new proof showing that migraines are caused by problems deeper in the brain itself. Don't panic it just means that one part of your brain kicks up a stink every so often and you pay the price by having to put up with yet another migraine headache.
How long do migraines last? It varies from one person to the next but you can expect to be unable to do anything for 1 - 3 days. My own migraines always lasted pretty much exactly 24 hours for some odd reason. I might be able to cut that down to 12 hours if I felt the attack coming on and took my medication (prescription painkillers) in good time.
So what causes those migraine attacks of yours? They're called migraine triggers and the exact cause varies for each person. Stress can bring on migraines for some people where for others it's too much caffeine, nicotine or chocolate. Bright lights are another major cause. So are the tannins you can find in red wine and tea. Some people even have migraines that are caused by a change in the weather patterns.
There is help available though - you don't need to suffer in silence. Over-the-counter medication is usually not nearly strong enough to deal with a major migraine. To have any hope of having a normal life while you're living with migraines you're probably going to need prescription painkillers. These are very effective but you need to watch out for side-effects such as addiction for example. The most effective way to treat a migraine is to head it off before it starts. Get home, draw the curtains and cover your eyes and ears. I find that total immersion in silence and dark (and maybe some painkillers) is the best way to deal with the problem.
So if you are suffering from migraines there's no real need to worry. They're not life threatening but they are a nuisance. If you watch what triggers your migraines and take painkillers in advance you can ward off the worst of the effects.
About the Author:
Niall has been suffering from migraine headaches for most of his life but has found ways to deal with them. He wants to help you find relief from migraines too. Get more information on migraine headaches right now.
