Manage Migraine Pain

If you suffer from sharp pain in the head, it may be a migraine. Migraine pain is often disabling and it may be accompanied by flashes of light (called auras) and tingling in the arms or legs. Other symptoms include nausea and vomiting, and heightened sensitivity to light and sound.

The exact cause of migraines remains unknown, but experts currently believe that chemical imbalances in the brain and changes in a major nerve pathway called the trigeminal nerve system may be involved.

Migraines are more common in women than in men, and some women report migraines around the time of their periods each month. Other factors that may trigger a migraine include:

 

• Food: Certain foods including alcohol, aged cheese, and fermented foods.
• Stress: A migraine may strike when you finally unwind after a stressful time.
• Sleep changes: Either too much or too little sleep.
• Sensory overload: Unusual smells (pleasant or unpleasant) and bright lights or loud noise.

The management of migraine pain has improved, and a specialist can recommend a combination of lifestyle changes, medications, and self-care strategies to ease migraine pain.

 

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