WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Migraine headaches typically affect one side of the head. They can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Some people have them weekly, others have fewer than one a year. Migraines usually begin sometime between the teen years and the age of 40, and can be classified as either ""classic'' or ""common.''

Causes

At the onset of a migraine, the blood vessels in your head first shrink, then swell, causing pain. Tension, bright lights, loud noises, strong smells, weather changes, fatigue, missed meals, and emotional upset all may trigger a migraine. The headaches may also be brought on by many common foods and beverages, including lunch meat, hot dogs, alcohol, beans, coffee or tea, cheese, chocolate, nuts, pickles, raisins, and canned soup. Artificial sweeteners can trigger a migraine. Many women get the headaches before or during their monthly period.

Signs/Symptoms

You may know you are going to have a migraine before the headache starts. Warning signs include nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to noise, light, or smells.

Classic migraines begin with warning signs such as flashing lights or colors. You may feel as though you are looking through a tunnel. One side of your body may feel prickly, hot, or weak. These warning signs last about 15 to 30 minutes and are followed by pain in your head.

Common migraines do not have the same warning signs. However, you may feel tired, depressed, restless, or talkative for 2 or 3 days before the headache starts.

Care

There are a number of prescription medications for migraine. They tend to work better if you take the medicine as soon as your headache starts. Discuss these and other methods of preventing migraines with your doctor.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

• If your doctor prescribed medicine to treat or prevent your headaches, take it exactly as directed.
• At the first sign of a headache:
  • Apply cold compresses or ice packs to your head, or splash cold water on your face.
  • Lie down in a quiet, dark room for several hours. You may sleep, meditate, or listen to music. Do not read. Rest during the attack.
• To help prevent migraines:
  • Keep a record of what you ate before each headache. Avoid foods, such as chocolate, cheese, and red wine, that seem to cause an attack. Don't skip or delay meals.
  • Try to keep your life as free of stress as possible. Learn to pace yourself. Yoga, biofeedback, or relaxation therapy may be helpful.
  • If the headaches first appeared after you began taking birth control pills, you may want to talk to your doctor about changing to a different method of birth control.

Call Your Doctor If...

• You have any problems that may be related to the medicine you are taking.

Seek Care Immediately If...

• You have a headache that gets worse or lasts more than 24 hours despite treatment.
• You develop a high temperature.
• You faint or develop weakness, numbness, double vision, difficulty with speech, or neck pain or stiffness.