Spot the Symptoms
A migraine headache is pretty easy to spot--think of the worst headache you have ever had in your life. Often, it starts with what is known as an "aura," or a strange light surrounding everything you see--lights that flash, strange lines of light or seeing spots or blotchiness. You may also feel a tingling sensation, have difficulty concentrating or notice that your senses (smell, touch, even taste) seem different.
Once a migraine hits, the pain is throbbing or pounding, and often only occurs on one side of the head--but a migraine can affect the entire head, too. The other characteristic migraine symptoms are feeling particularly sensitive to bright lights and loud (or even not-so-loud) sounds--meaning that your head pounds even more with exposure to either stimuli. A migraine is also often accompanied by nausea and even vomiting.
Get Treatment
Medications are available to treat a migraine headache, including triptan medications, isometheptene and ergot medications. Triptans include Zomig (generic name zolmitriptan), Maxalt (rizatriptan), Axert (almotriptan), Frova (frovatriptan) and Imitrex (sumatriptan), says the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Cafergot (ergotamine combined with caffeine) and dihydroergotamine are some ergot medications, while isometheptene is sold under the brand name Midrin.
In addition to migraine medications, over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like ibuprofen, can be used to treat mild migraine pain; narcotics, sedatives and anti-nausea drugs can help to alleviate pain and other side effects.
To help yourself feel better, you can also try some relaxation techniques--meditation, deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation can be helpful. It is also good to allow yourself to rest in a quiet room that is cool and dark, with a cold rag across your forehead. Treat yourself to a little scalp and temple massage to help alleviate migraine pain.
Prevent Instead of Treat
Many times, the goal when dealing with a migraine is to prevent it rather than figure out how to treat an attack. Keeping a headache diary to record your migraine triggers can help you find the best ways to prevent a migraine. Find out what foods trigger your migraine headaches and steer clear of them, or if your menstrual cycle, changes in your sleep routine or exercising too hard trigger your migraine headaches. You can also take medications to help keep migraine headaches at bay and prevent them from striking, so talk to your doctor about prescriptions to help prevent the condition from returning.
