Migraine headaches don't seem to be related to any general physical disorder. And even though both men and women are affected by migraine headaches, they are more common in adult women. In men, the migraine attacks frequently continue throughout life, but women are more likely to stop having migraine attacks after menopause. Migraine headaches start early in life, between the ages of 15 and 35. Migraine headaches set in suddenly on one side of the head, they last a day or two and then disappear all of a sudden, only to recur every few weeks or months with peculiar regularity. It is common to see migraine headaches occur in certain families, so we can say that genetics can play a role.




What causes a migraine headache? A wide range of factors can cause a migraine headache. Certain type of foods, excessive caffeine, stress, light, perfumes, hormonal changes, unventilated areas, missing a meal and changes in altitude among other causes.
Migraine Headache Symptom

Migraine headache symptoms differ from patient to patient. A migraine headache starts with a prodomal phase, in which the victim doesn't feel a headache yet, but he or she experiences a different state of mind or changes in behavior such as being depressed or excessively ecstatic. This prodomal state may last a few hours or even days.

And just before the headache sets in, there is a short period known as the aural phase. The victim experiences minor visual hallucinations, such as seeing distorted colors, or having a blurred vision with flashes of light. Numbness and tingling of the face may occur.

Next comes the headache phase. It usually starts on one side of the head, at a definite location such as the eyeball, the temple, or the forehead from where it may spread to the whole half of the head and sometimes to the whole head. This phase is commonly associated with blurred vision as well, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and in some cases diarrhea may also occur. The pain may become so severe that may cause mental disorder or confusion and even temporary unconsciousness.

Following the headache phase, the next phase is known as the posdrome phase. The patient is left feeling exhausted and perhaps irritable and may also experience a lack of concentration.Native Remedies for migraine headache
Migraine Headache Treatment – What You Can Do at Home

During a migraine headache attack, the best treatment is to rest and sleep in bed in a dark, quiet and well ventilated room.

Take a hot bath, lie with the back of your head and neck immersed as well as hands and feet, and apply an ice pack on the front of your head. If you don't have a bathtub, hold an ice pack against your forehead and at the same time, soak your feet in hot water. It may stop a migraine headache.

Eat foods with magnesium. Magnesium relaxes the muscles and it can help reducing the headache. Good sources of magnesium include dark green leafy vegetables, fruits and nuts.

Feverfew is probably the most popular recommended herbal remedy for treating and preventing migraine headaches. It is believed that feverfew blocks the excessive secretion of serotonin which is a neurotransmitter. Serotonin is released in the initial stage of a migraine when the blood vessels constrict. Feverfew is believed to counteract this by dilating these blood vessels. Try chewing a leaf or two a day to prevent migraines. However this can cause mouth ulcers, as a substitute for the leaves you may want to take 125 mg capsules. If not sure, consult with a professional.

Relax. Go to a quiet, dark room, closed your eyes and imagine yourself at your favorite place enjoying your surroundings. This will help reduce your stress which is essential for preventing migraines.

Avoid overeating. Eat simple meals that are easy to digest. Avoid foods that are known to trigger migraine headaches, such as chocolate, red wine, beer, aged cheeses, foods containing MSG (monosodium glutamate), citrus fruits and meats such as hot dogs, salami, sausage, pepperoni and bologna.