18 Signs You're Having a Migraine

 

Nearly 30 million people in the United States have migraines, and three times as many women as men have them.

Migraines are pulsating headaches, often on one side of the head. Physical activity may intensify the pain, but symptoms can vary from person to person and from one attack to the next.

"In patients who have migraines, we're going to treat all of their headaches as potential migraines," says Anne Calhoun, MD, partner and cofounder of the Carolina Headache Institute, in Chapel Hill, N.C.

Here are 18 ways to identify migraines.

 Aura

Some people with a migraine experience aura.

The most common auras are visual, such as flickering lights, spots, or lines. "You may see a little jagged line...that will develop some cross hatches, and it might sort of move in a curved direction," Dr. Calhoun says.

Auras typically last between five minutes and an hour, with a 60-minute "skip phase" before the headache pain sets in, she says.

Some patients have auras without a migraine-type headache or any headache at all.

Depression, irritability, or excitement

Mood changes can be a sign of migraines.

"Some patients will feel very depressed or suddenly down for no reason," Dr. Calhoun says. "Others will feel very high." Dutch researchers recently reported a possible genetic link between depression and migraines, especially migraines with aura.

Data presented at the American Academy of Neurology 2010 annual meeting suggests that moderate or severe depression increases the risk of episodic migraines becoming chronic.

Lack of restful sleep
Waking up tired or having trouble falling asleep are common problems in people with migraines.

Studies have shown an association between lack of restorative sleep and the frequency and intensity of migraines.

When migraines strike, it's tough to get a good night's sleep. "A lot of people will have insomnia as a result of their migraine," says Edmund Messina, MD, medical director of the Michigan Headache Clinic, in East Lansing. This inability to sleep can be the start of a vicious cycle, as research suggests that lack of sleep can also trigger migraines.

Stuffy nose or watery eyes

Some people with migraines have sinus symptoms, such as stuffy nose, clear nasal drainage, droopy eyelids, or tearing, Dr. Messina says.

One large study found that, among people who complained of sinus headaches, nearly 90% were having migraines. (The study was funded by GlaxoSmithKline, which makes migraine medicine.) 

Cravings

Before a migraine attack occurs, some people crave certain foods.

"A common craving is chocolate," Dr. Messina says.

Throbbing pain on one or both sides of the head

Pulsating pain is a classic sign of migraines. The throbbing is often felt on one side of the head.

In an online survey of patients with migraines, the National Headache Foundation found that 50% "always" have throbbing on one side, while 34% say they "frequently" have this symptom.

Eye pain

Migraine pain often burrows behind the eye.

People will blame it on eye strain and many will get their eyes checked, but that won't make their headaches any better, Dr. Messina says. 

Neck pain

"A lot of people will say, 'My neck gets stiff and then I get a headache.' Well, it's probably the early stage of the migraine," Dr. Messina says. "Or after a migraine they'll get that neck symptom or they'll have throbbing pain at the back of their neck."

In an online survey, the National Headache Foundation found 38% of migraine patients "always" have neck pain and 31% "frequently" have neck pain during migraine headaches. (The Foundation receives support from GlaxoSmithKline, maker of migraine medicine.)

Frequent urination

If you have to go a lot, it can mean a migraine is coming.

It's one of the many symptoms people experience just before a migraine. These warning signs, also known as the prodome phase of a migraine, can arrive as little as an hour or as much as two days before the start of headache pain.

Yawning

Yawning a lot is another tip-off that a migraine is about to strike.

Unlike regular "I'm tired" yawning, it may be excessive and occur every few minutes.

In one 2006 study in the journal Cephalalgia, about 36% of migraine patients reported yawning was one of the signs of an impending migraine.

Numbness or tingling

Some people with migraines have sensory aura.

They may have a temporary lack of sensation or a pins-and-needles feeling, typically on one side of the body, moving from the fingertips through the arm and across the face.

Nausea or vomiting

According to data from the American Migraine Study II, a mail survey of more than 3,700 people with migraines, 73% experience nausea and 29% have vomiting. (The study was funded by a drug manufacturer.)

A recent analysis of the National Headache Foundation's American Migraine Prevalence and Prevention study found people with frequent migraine-related nausea have more severe pain and more trouble getting relief from medication than migraine sufferers with little or no nausea.

Light, noise, or smells trigger or worsen pain

In the throes of a migraine attack, the migraine sufferer tends to seek refuge in a dark, quiet place. Bright lights and loud noises can trigger a migraine or intensify the pain. The same is true of certain odors.

"Once you've already got a migraine, smells can seem more intense and make it worse," Dr. Calhoun says. "But a smell can also trigger a migraine in someone who didn't have one before [he or she] walked past the perfume counter."

Activity triggers or worsens pain

Routine activities such as walking or climbing stairs can make migraine pain worse.

Some migraines are induced by exercise (running, weight-lifting) or exertion (sexual activity). People with exertion-induced headaches require a thorough workup to rule out underlying causes, such as a brain aneurysm.

Trouble speaking

Can't get the words out? Speech difficulties can be another sign that a migraine is on its way.

"A lot of people with migraines will feel like they're blithering," Dr. Messina says. "It's a common description by patients." If you are experiencing speech problems for the first time, contact a doctor to make sure the problems are not related to a more serious issue, such as a stroke.

Weakness on one side of the body

When an arm goes limp, it can be a sign of a migraine.

Some people experience muscle weakness on one side of the body before a migraine attack. This can also be a sign of a stroke, however, so consult a doctor to rule out any other causes.

Vertigo or double vision

One type of migraine, called a basilar-type migraine, can cause dizziness, double vision, or loss of vision.

Some people with migraines may experience balance problems too. In a recent study, Dr. Calhoun and colleagues found a link between migraine intensity and dizziness or vertigo. The stronger the migraine, the more likely patients were to have these complaints.

"Our best conclusion is that it's actually part of migraines," she says. "It's a migraine symptom."

Headache hangover

After the migraine passes, a person may feel like her body has been pummeled.

In a recent study, researchers interviewed migraine patients and found that they commonly experienced symptoms such as fatigue, trouble concentrating, weakness, dizziness, lightheadedness, and loss of energy during the post-migraine period.

"It can be very fatiguing," Dr. Messina says. 

tags: 18 Signs You're Having a Migraine, Having a Migraine, 18 Signs Having a Migraine,  Aura, Depression, irritability,  excitement, Lack of restful sleep, Stuffy nose or watery eyes, Cravings, Throbbing pain on one or both sides of the head, Eye pain, Neck pain, Frequent urination, Yawning, Numbness or tingling, Nausea or vomiting, Light, noise, or smells trigger or worsen pain, Activity triggers or worsens pain, Trouble speaking, Headache hangover, Vertigo or double vision, Weakness on one side of the body, 18 Signs.

Migraine - Prevention

There are a number of ways you can reduce your chances of experiencing migraines.

Identifying and avoiding triggers

One of the best ways of preventing migraines is recognising the things that trigger an attack and trying to avoid them.

You may find you tend to have a migraine after eating certain foods or when you are stressed and by avoiding this trigger, you can prevent a migraine. 

Keeping a migraine diary can help you identify possible triggers and monitor how well any medication you are taking is working.

In your migraine diary, try to record:

    the date of the attack
    the time of day the attack began
    any warning signs
    your symptoms (including the presence or absence of aura)
    what medication you took
    when the attack ended

Medication and supplements

Medication is also available to help prevent migraines. These medicines are usually used if you have tried avoiding possible triggers and you are still experiencing migraines.

You may also be prescribed these medicines if you experience very severe migraine attacks, or if your attacks happen frequently.

Some of the main medications used to prevent migraines are outlined below.

Topiramate

Topiramate is a type of medication usually used to prevent seizures in people with epilepsy, but it has also been shown to help prevent migraines. It is usually taken every day in tablet form.

Topiramate should be used with caution in people with kidney or liver problems. It can also harm an unborn baby if taken during pregnancy and can reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives, so your GP should discuss alternative methods of contraception with women who are prescribed topiramate.

Side effects of topiramate can include decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, constipation or diarrhoea, dizziness, drowsiness and problems sleeping.

Propranolol

Propranolol is a medication traditionally used to treat angina and high blood pressure, but it has also been shown to help prevent migraines. It is usually taken every day in tablet form.

Propranolol is unsuitable for people with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and some heart problems. It should be used with caution in people with diabetes.

Side effects of propranolol can include cold hands and feet, pins and needles, problems sleeping and tiredness.

Gabapentin

If topiramate or propranolol are unsuitable or ineffective, you may be prescribed a medication called gabapentin. Like topiramate, this is a medication that is normally used to treat people with epilepsy that may also help prevent migraines. It is usually taken every day in tablet form.

Most people can take gabapentin, but it should be used with caution in people with kidney problems and those over 65 years of age.

Side effects of gabapentin can include dizziness, drowsiness, increased appetite, weight gain and suicidal thoughts.

Gabapentin has been recommended as a possible treatment for migraines by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), but recent research has suggested it may not be effective in preventing attacks and concerns have been raised about the quality of earlier research into the medication.

Riboflavin

For some people, taking a 400mg supplement of riboflavin (vitamin B2) every day may help reduce the frequency and severity of migraines.

Riboflavin supplements are available without prescription, but it's a good idea to discuss using them with your GP first as it is not clear what the effects of taking high doses of riboflavin supplements each day might be.

Botulinum toxin type A

In June 2012, NICE recommended the use of a medication called botulinum toxin type A by headache specialists to prevent headaches in some adults with chronic (long-term) migraine.

Botulinum toxin type A is a type of neurotoxin (nerve toxin) that paralyses muscles. It is not exactly clear why this treatment can be effective for migraine.

NICE recommends that this treatment can be considered as an option for people who have chronic migraine (headaches on at least 15 days of every month, at least eight days of which are migraine) that has not responded to at least three previous preventative medical treatments.

Under the NICE guidelines, botulinum toxin type A should be given by injection to between 31 and 39 sites around the head and back of the neck. A new course of treatment can be administered every 12 weeks.

Preventing menstrual-related migraines

Menstrual-related migraines usually occur between two days before the start of your period to three days after. As these migraines are relatively predictable, it may be possible to prevent them using either non-hormonal or hormonal treatments.

Non-hormonal treatments

The non-hormonal treatments that are recommended are:

    non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – a common type of painkiller
    triptans – medicines that reverse the widening (dilation) of blood vessels, which is thought to be a contributory factor in migraines

These medications are taken as tablets two to four times a day from either the start of your period or two days before, until the last day of bleeding.

Hormonal treatments

Hormonal treatments that may be recommended include:

    combined hormonal contraceptives, such as the combined contraceptive pill, patch or vaginal ring
    progesterone-only contraceptives, such as progesterone-onlypills, implants or injections
    oestrogen patches or gels, which can be used from three days before the start of your period and continued for seven days

Hormonal contraceptives are not usually used to prevent menstrual-related migraines in women who experience aura symptoms because this can increase your risk of having a stroke.

Acupuncture

If medication is unsuitable, or it doesn't help to prevent migraines, you may want to consider acupuncture.

NICE states that a course of up to 10 sessions over a five to eight week period may be beneficial.

tags: Migraine - Prevention, Prevention, Identifying and avoiding triggers, avoiding triggers, Identifying triggers, Medication and supplements, Medication, supplements, Topiramate, Propranolol, Gabapentin, Riboflavin, Botulinum toxin type A, Botulinum toxin, toxin, Botulinum, Preventing menstrual-related migraines, menstrual-related migraines, menstrual-related, menstrual, Non-hormonal treatments, Non-hormonal, Hormonal treatments, Hormonal, Acupuncture,Migraine.

Migraine - Treatment

There is currently no cure for migraines, although a number of treatments are available to help ease the symptoms.

It may take time to work out which is the best treatment for you. You may need to try different types or combinations of medicines before you find the most effective ones.

If you find that you cannot manage your migraines using over-the-counter medicines, your GP may prescribe something stronger.

Painkillers

Many people who have migraines find that over the counter painkillers, such as paracetamol, aspirin and ibuprofen, can help to reduce their symptoms.

They tend to be most effective if taken at the first signs of a migraine attack, as this gives them time to absorb into your bloodstream and ease your symptoms.

It is not advisable to wait until the headache worsens before taking painkillers because by this point it is often too late for the medication to work. Soluble painkillers (tablets that dissolve in a glass of water) are a good alternative because they are absorbed quickly by your body.

If you cannot swallow painkillers because of nausea or vomiting, suppositories may be a better option. These are capsules that are inserted into the anus (back passage).

Cautions

When taking over the counter painkillers, always make sure you read the instructions on the packaging and follow the dosage recommendations.

Children under 16 should not take aspirin unless it is under the guidance of a healthcare professional. Aspirin and ibuprofen are also not recommended for adults who have a history of stomach problems, such as stomach ulcers, liver problems or kidney problems.

Taking any form of painkiller frequently can make migraines worse. This is sometimes called "medication overuse headache" or "painkiller headache".

Speak to your GP if you find yourself needing to use painkillers repeatedly or if over the counter painkillers are not effective. Your GP may prescribe stronger painkillers or recommend using painkillers along with triptans (see below). If they suspect the frequent use of painkillers may be contributing your headaches, they may recommended that you stop using them.

Triptans

If ordinary painkillers are not helping to relieve your migraine symptoms, you should make an appointment to see your GP. They may recommend taking painkillers in addition to a type of medication called a triptan and possibly anti-sickness medication (see below).

Triptan medicines are not the same as painkillers. They are thought to work by reversing the changes in the brain that may cause migraines.

They cause the blood vessels around the brain to contract (narrow). This reverses the dilating (widening) of blood vessels that is believed to be part of the migraine process.

Triptans are available as tablets, injections and nasal sprays.

Common side effects of triptans include warm-sensations, tightness, tingling, flushing, and feelings of heaviness in the face, limbs or chest. Some people also experience nausea, dry mouth and drowsiness. These side effects are usually mild and improve on their own.

Your GP will usually recommend having a follow-up appointment when you have finished your first course of treatment with triptans, so you can discuss whether they were effective and whether you had any side effects.

If the medication was helpful, treatment will usually be continued. If they were not effective or caused unpleasant side effects, your GP may try prescribing a different type.

Anti-sickness medicines

Anti-sickness medicines, known as anti-emetics, can successfully treat migraine in some people even if you don't experience nausea or vomiting. These are prescribed by your GP and can be taken alongside painkillers and triptans.

As with painkillers, anti-sickness medicines work better if taken as soon as your migraine symptoms begin. They usually come in the form of a tablet, but are also available as a suppository.

Side effects of anti-emetics include drowsiness and diarrhoea.

Combination medicines

You can buy a number of combination medicines for migraine without a prescription at your local pharmacy. These medicines contain both painkillers and anti-sickness medicines. If you are not sure which one is best for you, ask your pharmacist.

Many people find combination medicines convenient. However, the dose of painkillers or anti-sickness medicine may not be high enough to relieve your symptoms. If this is the case, it may be better to take painkillers and anti-sickness medicines separately. This will allow you to easily control the doses of each.

Seeing a specialist

If the treatments above are not effectively controlling your migraines, your GP may refer you to a specialist migraine clinic for further investigation and treatment.

In addition to the medications mentioned above, a specialist may recommend other treatments such as transcranial magnetic stimulation.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation

In January 2014, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) approved the use of a treatment called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for the treatment and prevention of migraines.

TMS involves holding a small electrical device to your head that then delivers magnetic pulses through your skin. It is not clear exactly how TMS works in treating migraines, but studies have shown that using it at the start of a migraine can reduce its severity. It can also be used in combination with the medications mentioned above without interfering with them.

However, TMS is not a cure for migraines and it doesn’t work for everyone. The evidence for its effectiveness is not strong and is limited to people who have migraine with aura.

There is also little evidence about the potential long-term effects of the treatment, although studies into the treatment have so far only reported minor and temporary side effects, including:

    slight dizziness
    drowsiness and tiredness
    a muscle tremor that can make it difficult to stand
    irritability

NICE recommends that TMS should only be provided by headache specialists in specialist centres, because of the uncertainty about the potential long-term side effects. The specialist will keep a record of your experiences using the treatment.

Treatment for pregnant and breastfeeding women

In general, migraine treatment with medicines should be limited as much as possible when you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Instead, trying to identify and avoid potential migraine triggers is often recommended.

If medication is essential, then your GP may prescribe you a low-dose painkiller, such as paracetamol. In some cases, anti-inflammatory drugs or triptans may be prescribed. Speak to your GP or midwife before taking medication when you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

During an attack

Most people find that sleeping or lying in a darkened room is the best thing to do when having a migraine attack.

Others find that eating something helps, or they start to feel better once they have been sick.

tags: Migraine - Treatment, Treatment, There is currently no cure for migraines, Painkillers, Cautions, Triptans, Anti-sickness medicines, Combination medicines, Seeing a specialist, Transcranial magnetic stimulation, Treatment for pregnant and breastfeeding women, During an attack, Migrain.

Migraine - Causes

The exact cause of migraines is unknown, although they are thought to be the result of abnormal brain activity temporarily affecting nerve signals, chemicals and blood vessels in the brain.

It's not clear what causes this change in brain activity, but it is possible that your genes make you more likely to experience migraines as a result of a specific trigger.

Migraine triggers

Many possible migraine triggers have been suggested, including hormonal, emotional, physical, dietary, environmental and medicinal factors.

Hormonal changes

Some women experience migraines around the time of their period, possibly because of changes in the levels of hormones such as oestrogen around this time.

These are known as menstrual-related migraines and they usually occur between two days before the start of your period to three days after. Some women only experience migraines around this time, but most experience them at other times too.

Many women find their migraines improve after the menopause, although the menopause can trigger migraines or make them worse in some women.

Emotional triggers:

    stress
    anxiety
    tension
    shock
    depression
    excitement

Physical triggers:

    tiredness
    poor quality sleep
    shift work
    poor posture
    neck or shoulder tension
    jet lag
    low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia)
    strenuous exercise, if you are not used to it

Dietary triggers:

    missed, delayed or irregular meals
    dehydration
    alcohol
    the food additive tyramine
    caffeine products, such as tea and coffee
    specific foods such as chocolate, citrus fruit and cheese

Environmental triggers:

    bright lights
    flickering screens, such as a television or computer screen
    smoking (or smoky rooms)
    loud noises
    changes in climate, such as changes in humidity or very cold temperatures
    strong smells
    a stuffy atmosphere

Medication:

    some types of sleeping tablets
    the combined contraceptive pill
    hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which is sometimes used to relieve symptoms associated with the menopause

tags: Migraine - Causes, Causes of Migraines, Migraine triggers, triggers, Hormonal changes, Hormonal, Emotional triggers, Emotional, stress, anxiety, tension, shock, depression, excitement, Causes, tiredness, poor quality sleep, shift work, poor posture, neck or shoulder tension, jet lag, low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia), hypoglycaemia, Migraine, dehydration, alcohol, the food additive tyramine, tyramine, caffeine products, caffeine.

Migraine - Diagnosis

There is no specific test to diagnose migraines. For an accurate diagnosis to be made, your GP must identify a pattern of recurring headaches along with the associated symptoms.

Migraines can be unpredictable, sometimes occurring without the other symptoms. So obtaining an accurate diagnosis can sometimes take a long time.

On your first visit, your GP may carry out a physical examination and check your vision, co-ordination, reflexes and sensations. These will help rule out some other possible underlying causes of your symptoms.

Your GP may ask if your headaches are:

    on one side of the head
    a pulsating pain
    severe enough to prevent you carrying out daily activities
    made worse by physical activity or moving about
    accompanied by nausea and vomiting
    accompanied by sensitivity to light and noise

To help with the diagnosis, it can be useful to keep a diary of your migraine attacks for a few weeks. Note down details including the date, time, what you were doing when the migraine began, how long the attack lasted, what symptoms you experienced and what medication you took (if any).

It may also be helpful to make a note of the food you ate that day and, for women, when you started your period, as this can help your GP identify potential triggers.

Referral to a specialist

Your GP may decide to refer you to a neurologist (a specialist in conditions affecting the brain and nervous system) for further assessment and treatment if a diagnosis is unclear, you experience migraines on 15 days or more per month (chronic migraine), or treatment is not helping to control your symptoms.

Keeping a migrane diary might be helpful.

tags: Migraine - Diagnosis, Migraine, Diagnosis, diagnose migraines, Referral to a specialist, migrane diary.

Migraine - Symptoms

The main symptom of a migraine is usually an intense headache that occurs at the front or on one side of the head.

The pain is usually a severe throbbing sensation that gets worse when you move and prevents you from carrying out normal activities.

In some cases, the pain can occur on both sides of your head and may affect your face or neck.

Additional symptoms

Other symptoms commonly associated with a migraine include:

    nausea
    vomiting
    increased sensitivity to light and sound, which is why many people with a migraine want to rest in a quiet, dark room

Some people also occasionally experience other symptoms including sweating, poor concentration, feeling very hot or very cold, abdominal (tummy) pain and diarrhoea.

Not everyone experiences these additional symptoms when they have a migraine and some people may experience them without having a headache.

The symptoms of a migraine usually last between four hours and three days, although you may feel very tired for up to a week afterwards.

Symptoms of aura

About one in three people with migraines have temporary warning symptoms, known as aura, before a migraine. These include:

    visual problems, such as seeing flashing lights, zig-zag patterns or blind spots
    numbness or a tingling sensation like pins and needles,which usually starts in one hand and moves up your arm before affecting your face, lips and tongue
    feeling dizzy or off balance
    difficulty speaking
    loss of consciousness, although this is rare

Aura symptoms typically develop over the course of about five minutes and last for up to an hour. Some people may experience aura followed by only a mild headache or no headache at all.

When to seek medical advice

You should see your GP if you have frequent or severe migraine symptoms that cannot be managed with over the counter painkillers, such as paracetamol.

You should also make an appointment to see your GP if you have frequent migraines (on more than five days a month), even if they can be controlled with medication, as you may benefit from preventative treatment.

You should call 999 for an ambulance immediately if you or someone you are with experiences:

    paralysis or weakness in one or both arms and/or one side of the face
    slurred or garbled speech
    a sudden agonising headache resulting in a blinding pain unlike anything experienced before
    headache along with a high temperature (fever), stiff neck, mental confusion, seizures, double vision, and a rash

These symptoms may be a sign of a more serious condition, such as a stroke or meningitis, and should be assessed by a doctor as soon as possible.

tags: Migraine - Symptoms, main symptom of a migraine, intense headache, headache, nausea, vomiting, Symptoms of aura, Additional symptoms, When to seek medical advice, symptom of a migraine.

Migraine - All you need to know

 

A migraine is usually a severe headache felt as a throbbing pain at the front or side of the head.

Some people also have other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting and increased sensitivity to light or sound.

Migraine is a common health condition, affecting around one in every five women and around one in every 15 men. They usually begin in early adulthood.

There are several types of migraine, including:

    migraine with aura – where there are warning signs before the migraine begins, such as seeing flashing lights
    migraine without aura – where the migraine occurs without warning signs
    migraine aura without headache, also known as silent migraine – where an aura or other migraine symptoms are experienced, but a headache does not develop

Some people have migraines frequently, up to several times a week. Other people only have a migraine occasionally. It is possible for years to pass between migraine attacks.

Read more about the symptoms of migraine.

When to seek medical advice

You should see your GP if you have frequent or severe migraine symptoms that cannot be controlled with over the counter painkillers.

You should also make an appointment to see your GP if you have frequent migraines (on more than five days a month), even if they can be controlled with medication, as you may benefit from preventative treatment.

You should call 999 for an ambulance immediately if you or someone you are with experiences:

    paralysis or weakness in one or both arms and/or one side of the face
    slurred or garbled speech
    a sudden agonising headache resulting in a blinding pain unlike anything experienced before
    headache along with a high temperature (fever), stiff neck, mental confusion, seizures, double vision and a rash

These symptoms may be a sign of a more serious condition, such as a stroke or meningitis, and should be assessed by a doctor as soon as possible.

Read more about diagnosing migraines.

What causes migraines?

The exact cause of migraines is unknown, although they are thought to be the result of temporary changes in the chemicals and blood vessels in the brain.

Around half of all people who experience migraines also have a close relative with the condition, suggesting that genes may play a role.

Some people find migraine attacks are associated with certain triggers, which can include starting their period, stress, tiredness and certain foods or drinks.

Read more about the causes of migraines.

How migraines are treated

There is no cure for migraines, but there are a number of treatments available to help reduce the symptoms.

These include:

    painkillers – including over the counter medicationssuch as paracetamol and ibuprofen
    triptans – medications that can help reverse the changes in the brain that may cause migraines
    anti-emetics – medications often used to reduce nausea and vomiting

During an attack, many people find that sleeping or lying in a darkened room can also help.

Read more about treating migraines.

Preventing migraines

If you suspect a specific trigger is causing your migraines, such as stress or a certain type of food, avoiding this trigger may help reduce your risk of experiencing migraines.

It may also help to maintain a generally healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, sleep and meals, as well as ensuring you stay well hydrated and limiting your intake of caffeine and alcohol.

If your migraines are severe or you have tried avoiding possible triggers and you are still experiencing symptoms, your GP may prescribe medication to help prevent further attacks.

Medications used to prevent migraines include the anti-seizure medication topiramate and a medication called propranolol that is usually used to treat high blood pressure.

Read more about preventing migraines.

Outlook

Migraines can severely affect your quality of life and stop you carrying out your normal daily activities. Some people find they need to stay in bed for days at a time.

However, a number of effective treatments are available to reduce the symptoms and prevent further attacks.

Migraine attacks can sometimes get worse over time, but they tend to gradually improve over many years for most people.

A migraine is usually felt as a throbbing pain at the front or side of the head

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An introduction to safe foods for Migraine sufferers

It is difficult to follow a diet based on a list of foods to avoid and the last thing you need is a difficult stressful task added to your life. Here is a “Yes” list of foods you can eat. It was created by a patient who is also a nutritionist to save others the stress of following the “No” list. The “Yes” list will make it easier to shop and plan your diet.

Patients with daily migraine symptoms have so much abnormal brain activity that avoidance of a few key trigger foods like coffee, red wine, and chocolate is not enough to bring relief. They may continue to suffer despite medications to elevate the migraine triggering threshold. Most of these patients can find relief if they protect their sensitive brains from all potential migraine triggers. This relief does not come instantly. It may take months for daily symptoms to decrease and to allow some good days. With time the good days will increase in number. Be patient.

The migraine diet is not a calorie restricted diet. You can eat as much as you want of the above meals. It is probably better not to be hungry since hunger will lead you to make bad food choices. Eat something sweet for dessert so your sugar craving is satisfied. While the migraine diet is adaptable to a weight loss program, it is best not to diet in the first month as you learn how to eat migraine-free.
Will I need to eat “migraine free” forever? No. Once your sensitive brain has calmed down you can decide with your physician to start adding foods back to your diet in an organized way that allows you to find out which foods are “key” triggers for you and which are “potential” triggers. Key triggers will elicit migraine symptoms within 2 days of being introduced and should be avoided.

Migraine safe foods by category

BREAD

 
Acceptable purchases: Any white, wheat, rye or pumpernickel store-bought bread.
Plain or sesame seed bagels, English muffins, quick breads like pumpernickel or zucchini breads.
All yeast bread must be 24 hours old.
What to avoid: Fresh baked bread, either homemade or from the grocer’s bakery, fresh donuts, fresh breakfast Danish, nut breads, cheese bread, chocolate bread, raisin bread, bagels with dried fruit like blueberry or cranberry bagels. Remember that pizza is fresh bread.

CEREAL

Acceptable purchases: Many cereals are fine. For example: Cheerios, Life, Honey Bunches of Oats, Cracklin’ Bran, Frosted Flakes, Frosted Shredded Wheat.
What to avoid: Cereal with nuts, raisins, chocolate, dried fruit, aspartame, peanut butter or coconut.

CRACKERS

 
Acceptable purchases: Any unflavored cracker such as Saltines, Ritz, Wheat thins, Carr’s Table Crackers and Club crackers.
What to avoid: Cheddar cheese crackers, Chick-in-a-bisket, any flavored cracker.

PRETZELS/CHIPS

 
Acceptable purchases: All plain pretzels and plain potato chips, Tostitos 100% corn chips, Frito’s corn chips, Herr’s salt and vinegar chips.
What to avoid: Soft pretzels, honey and mustard pretzels, onion and garlic pretzels or other seasoned pretzels. Avoid Pringles, Doritos Nacho chips, jalapeno chips and most other seasoned chips.

PIES/CAKES/COOKIES/CANDY

 
Acceptable purchases: Blueberry and apple store bought pies if made without lemon juice, vanilla or cinnamon swirl cake, shortbread cookies and vanilla/strawberry wafers, oatmeal cookies without the raisins, rice pudding (no raisins), white chocolate.
What to avoid: Chocolate, chocolate candy, nuts, buttermilk, sour cream, dried fruit (some apricot pies start with dried apricots), peanut butter, lemon extract or lemon juice, almond extract and coconut. Avoid diet and sugar-free products that contain aspartame.

SALAD DRESSING

 
Acceptable purchases: Any oil and distilled white vinegar. (Homemade ranch is good but you won’t find that in the grocery store).
What to avoid: most bottled dressings have one or many of the following; monosodium glutamate, onion or onion powder, grated cheese like Romano or parmesan, natural flavoring, red wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar (or anything other than white).

DIPS/SAUCES

 
Acceptable purchases: buy ingredients to make your own at home.
What to avoid: dips and sauces usually contain MSG (natural flavoring) or onions. Avoid salsa, chips dips, tomato sauce like Ragu, alfredo or pesto sauce, gravy, mustard dips, barbeque sauce and guacamole (because of the avocados).

MEAT AND MAIN MEALS

Acceptable purchases: Fresh chicken, beef, veal, lamb, fish, turkey or pork. (Some sausage is made without MSG, natural flavor or onion). Be sure the meat is not injected with a tenderizer (like Hatfield’s Simple Tender pork products) or with broth (some turkey and chicken).
What to avoid: Beef liver and chicken liver, marinated meat, ready-made hot wings, barbeque chicken, breaded meat like fried chicken or nuggets or breaded chicken patties, seasoned rotisserie chicken, and any ready-made meal of meat, noodle or rice like burritos, lasagna, Rice-a-Roni and Hamburger Helper. Any canned tuna with broth. Anchovies. Spam. Canned soups have MSG and sometimes onions. Avoid nitrites in ham, hot dogs and most lunchmeats.

DAIRY PRODUCTS

Acceptable purchases: Deli American cheese, American cheese with jalapeno peppers, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese and cream cheese. White milk is ok.
What to avoid: Aged cheeses like Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby and Swiss. Avoid mozzarella cheese, Brie, sour cream buttermilk and yogurt. Beware of products made with cheese like pizza and hot pockets. Avoid chocolate milk due to the caffeine.

FRUITS/JUICES

 
Acceptable purchases: Fresh strawberries, apples, pears, grapes, peaches, nectarines, blueberries, kiwi, apricots, blackberries, cherries, cantaloupes, mangoes, honeydew melon and watermelon.
What to avoid: Bananas, oranges, grapefruit, lemons, limes, tangerines, pineapples, Clementines, raspberries, plums, papayas, passion fruit, figs, dates, raisins and avocados. Also avoid dried fruits preserved with sulfites.

VEGETABLES

Acceptable purchases: Preservative-free bagged lettuce like Fresh Express, peppers, zucchini, eggplant, garlic, leeks, spring onions, shallots, potatoes (fresh), some frozen mashed potatoes, broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, carrots, corn, chick peas, mushrooms, canned or frozen peas, yams, string beans, artichokes, red beets, some beans, okra, plain rice, turnips and squash.
What to avoid: Onions, sauerkraut, pea pods, broad Italian beans, lima beans, fava beans, navy beans and lentils. Also avoid boxed potato flakes, like instant mashed potatoes.

DRINKS

Acceptable purchases: Naturally decaffeinated coffee or tea, caffeine-free herb tea like chamomile, pear juice, apple juice, grape juice, cranberry juice, apricot nectar, caffeine-free Coke/Pepsi, Diet Rite Cola, Waist Watcher Cola/Diet Rootbeer/Diet Black Cherry, Mug Rootbeer, Hires Rootbeer and A&W Rootbeer. Diet soda using sucralose (Splenda) is not a problem. Vodka is the best tolerated alcoholic beverage. White milk is ok.
What to avoid: Coffee, tea, coffee substitutes, hot chocolate, colas, orange soda, lemon lime soda, mountain Dew, any diet soda containing aspartame or saccharin, Barq’s Rootbeer, (they add caffeine to it), chocolate milk, wine, champagne, beer, heavy alcoholic drinks.

NUTS/SEEDS/POPCORN

Acceptable purchases: Unflavored popcorn that you pop at home, pumpkins seeds, sunflower seeds without natural flavor, sesame seeds and poppy seeds.
What to avoid: Cheddar cheese popcorn, some microwave popcorn, all nuts and nut butters, including peanuts. Coconut is out as well as almond extract.

SOY PRODUCTS

Acceptable purchases: Any soy is questionable, so you might want to avoid it altogether until you have achieved headache control. Then try the following products one at a time: soy milk, soy flour, plain tofu and soy oil.
What to avoid: Soy sauce, miso, tempeh, soy burgers, products containing soy protein isolate or concentrate and soy beans.



tags: Migraine, sufferers, SOY, NUTS, SEEDS,POPCORN, DRINKS, VEGETABLES, FRUITS, JUICES, DAIRY, MEAT, MAIN MEALS, DIPS, SAUCES, SALAD DRESSING, SALAD, PIES, CAKES, COOKIES, CANDY, PRETZELS, CHIPS, CRACKERS, cereal, bread.