Did you know that people go for medical treatment for headaches more than for any other reason? Almost everyone will have a headache at least once. Most headaches occur for no obvious reason at all. Some may occur because of an underlying and undiagnosed medical problem. This can include a tumor, or an aneurysm, or one of several other diseases.

The migraine headache is the most frequent and most complained about headache. It appears without warning and happens at any time during the day or night. If you are experiencing recurring headaches you should contact your doctor. Tests may be needed to find out if a more serious medical condition is causing migraines.

Migraine headache pain may be mild or could be severe. There are several symptoms of migraine that you should be aware of. Of course the most obvious one is headache. The headache may build over a few minutes or in some circumstances may happen instantly. The throbbing is normally one-sided in the temple area, the forehead and one eye.

Another symptom of migraine is nausea and vomiting. Patients that have frequent migraines find they are susceptible to light and sound. They may need to avoid bright lights and avoid loud sounds. A severe migraine may send a patient into a quiet and dark room to try to stabilize and ease the pain. Pain may last for a few hours or a few days with the pain varying in intensity.

Migraine headaches can become so severe that it disables a person during the headache. A person may not be able to stay at work or take care of day-to-day activities for their families. When the patient is not experiencing a migraine, they may feel fine and are able to function throughout the day.

Some migraine sufferers report they have a small warning of an impending migraine when they experience a slight change in their vision. Some describe bright flashes of light to one side, jagged lines, or lost vision that begins on one side and slowly moves across the center of the eye.

With the visual warning, other patients report a tingling in their lips and fingers, or trouble speaking, and dizziness. These symptoms are also a signal for stroke so if you or someone you love experiences these symptoms they should receive prompt medical attention. Once the symptoms have been diagnosed as migraines the patient will then take them as a warning of the onset of a migraine.

There are foods that will also trigger migraines. In some patients, red wine, chocolate, caffeine, cheeses, some nuts, bananas and avocados. Aged meats may also trigger a migraine. In women, migraines are often triggered by hormonal changes. Menstrual cycles will often trigger migraines because of the hormones released.

Other triggers may include some fluorescent lighting, a drastic change in temperature, and allergies. Often, avoiding the food triggers or adjusting the environment can prevent some migraines from occurring. Keeping a headache diary will help you find out what is triggering your migraines. A change in diet and environmental changes can help you avoid the pain of migraines.

Originally posted 2008-08-19 16:32:24.