Migraine Causes & Cures

Main Migraine Causes

Everything from what you do to what you eat can trigger a migraine. For instance, chemical food additives like nitrates, MSG and tyramine affect the levels of chemicals in the brain, leading to a migraine. Some common food migraine triggers include chocolate, peanut butter, nuts, dairy foods, some beans and processed meats and cheeses. Alcohol and caffeine in foods and drinks, as well as cigarette smoking, are also triggers because of their affect on the brain.

Stress can certainly bring on a migraine, so good stress management and relaxation techniques can help keep those headaches at bay. Some medications, as well as hormonal changes of progesterone in women--due to birth control, pregnancy, menstruation and menopause--can also be behind migraines as they can also affect chemical levels in the brain.

Treating Migraines with Medication

Sometimes, the only way to stop a migraine is with medication. Fortunately, there are many medications available to treat them. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, aspirin and acetaminophen reduce painful inflammation. Some migraine-specific NSAID medications contain caffeine, which helps blood vessels to constrict.

Triptan and ergot medications help regulate chemicals in the brain to relieve pain, nausea and light and sound sensitivity. Opiates are narcotic medications (and often contain codeine) that can successfully manage the severe pain of a migraine, but these medications can be habit-forming and are therefore only prescribed when pain can't be managed with other medications. Anti-nausea drugs may be prescribed to manage nausea and vomiting associated with migraines.

Butalbital combination medications contain sedatives along with pain relievers like acetaminophen or aspirin, and sometimes also contain caffeine or codeine. While they can relieve pain and symptoms, they may cause additional headaches and symptoms from withdrawal.

Some medications may also be prescribed to help prevent migraine headaches, including high blood pressure medications like calcium channel blockers and beta blockers, antidepressants and anticonvulsants.

Migraine Self-Treatment

It may take some time for migraine medications to kick in and give you some relief. In the meantime, try allowing yourself a short nap or rest. Lie down in a soothing, dark, cool and quiet room to soothe your senses. Wrap your neck with a cool cloth or ice pack, and treat yourself to a gentle scalp massage. Allow your entire body to relax and adjust to the quiet to help ease migraine headache pain.

Sometimes preventing migraines is as simple as altering your behavior. Getting too much sleep or not enough sleep, as well as sensory overload from bright lights, loud noises and strong smells are obvious headache triggers. Skipping meals and irregular exercise schedules can also alter blood sugar levels and cause a migraine. Taking care to avoid these triggers can help prevent them.