Migraine is one of the most common neurological disorders affecting millions of people. The most common symptoms of migraine are headache, nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity to light, dizziness, numbness, temporary blindness and hypersensitivity to sound and smell. Migraine headache symptoms vary from individual to individual. It can be a debilitating disorder and can range from moderate to excruciating intensity.

Migraine headache symptoms:

Migraine headache is a vascular headache in which the pain is experienced on one side of the head and can later branch out to the other side as the attack progresses. The pain is pulsating in nature and can range from moderate to severe intensity. It is accompanied by vomiting, nausea, increased sensitivity to light, sound and smells, fatigue, irritability, nasal congestion, diarrhea, pallor, excessive sweating, mood swings and impairment of concentration.

Triggers of migraine headache:

Smoking can lead to a migraine attack and is extremely harmful for patients susceptible to migraines.

Intake of certain foods such as aged cheese, processed foods, chocolates, alcohol and wine.

Stress, tension and depression.

Irregular sleeping patterns.

Hunger and delayed meals.

Treatment for migraine:

The two treatment approaches for migraine headache symptoms arenon- medication approach and medication approach.

Non- medication approach:

This approach aims at the prevention of migraines. The several ways by means of which a migraine attack can be diverted are:

Taking rest in a darkened room and relaxing.

Migraine attack responds well to biofeedback in which the individual is trained to recognize the various signs of the body and take preventive measures before a full blast attack occurs.

Changes in lifestyle can help prevent migraine. This involves avoiding cigarette smoking, alcohol and wines, taking out time for regular exercise and recreation, intake of a healthy diet and following a regular sleep pattern.

Acupuncture is believed to have positive results in curing a migraine headache.

Other therapies include aromatherapy, spa therapy and magnetic therapy.

Medication approach:

Occasional migraine headache can be treated with over the counter drugs such as aspirin, acetaminophen, naproxen sodium etc. NSAIDs can also be given to migraine sufferers. Other drugs used to treat migraine headache are advil, nuprin, mortin and mediprin.