Migraines
What Is A Migraine?
It's hard to explain to anyone who's never had a migraine just what a migraine is and how severe the pain can be. But a migraine is much more than just a bad headache. It's prompted by biochemical changes in the brain that trigger the arteries in your head to become narrow (constrict) and then widen (dilate). This in turn activates the pain receptors in your brain. The cause of this process is unknown, but doctors do know that several changes may happen in your body before a migraine strikes.
What Are The Symptoms?
Some people experience what is known as an aura or prodrome shortly before the pain starts. During this time, symptoms seemingly unrelated to a headache may occur. These symptoms include changes in mood, feeling nauseous, seeing shimmering or flashing lights, and even having blind spots. According to leading migraine experts, treating your migraine before symptoms become severe may help to reduce the severity of the migraine and is a highly recommended approach.
Still not sure if it's really a migraine? It can be difficult but if you check below, you'll be able to use this chart to see which headache seems the most like yours.
| Migraine Headache |
Tension Headache |
| Moderate-to-severe pain that is throbbing or pulsing |
Mild to moderate, steady pain |
| Pain, usually on one side of your head, that may be concentrated around the eye, temple, or behind the ear |
Pain felt on front, sides, and back of head, possibly spreading to the neck |
| Pain that is aggravated by movement |
General feeling of tightness or stiffness, perhaps like a very tight band around the head |
| Nausea and vomiting |
|
| Sensitivity to light, sound, or smell |
|
What Are Causes Of Migraines?
Although doctors do not yet understand the exact cause of migraines, there are certain things that can trigger a migraine. Physiological, emotional, and environmental factors can bring on a headache. They include:
- Stress
- Lack of sleep or fatigue
- Hormonal changes
- Missing a meal
- Changes in barometric pressure or altitude
Certain foods can also be triggers, such as:
- Alcohol, particularly red wine
- Chocolate
- Food additives such as nitrates and nitrites
- Caffeine
Not everyone will react to all of these triggers. You may react to one or none at all. The trick is finding out what your triggers are.
What Are The Triggers Of Migraines?
Keeping a headache diary may help you figure out what triggers your migraines. The diary should list what you eat, what other factors were present (like stress, not sleeping well the night before, etc.), and when your headaches occur. Keep in mind that a headache can start almost immediately after a trigger or happen a day later. If you keep a headache diary for any length of time, a pattern will most likely begin to develop.
How Can You Treat A Migraine?
Once you've got a migraine, the only thing you want is for the pain to stop. There are many prescription treatments available from your doctor, but you may be surprised to know that you can get effective pain relief without a prescription.
Advil® Liqui-Gels is the newest way for you to treat your migraines. It's the only non-prescription pain reliever approved by Health Canada for the relief of migraine pain and related symptoms like nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. Since the active ingredient (ibuprofen 200 mg) in Advil Liqui-Gels is already dissolved, it goes to work fast on your migraine.
How Can You Prevent A Migraine?
After you know what causes your headaches, you can take steps to help prevent them. For instance, if you're getting frequent migraines and know that stress is the culprit, take positive steps to reduce the stress in your life. Stress management techniques such as meditation or biofeedback can help. And don't forget exercise - it's a great stress reducer.
Lifestyle changes can also help. Try to eat regularly and get enough rest. If you have to sit at a desk for long periods of time, get up and stretch. Not only will you be relieving stress, but taking a break can give your mind time to refuel a bit so you can go back and give your full attention to the job at hand.