For many people, migraines begin with a dull ache. About one out of five people who have them also experience an “aura” before they start. They see wavy lines, dots or flashing lights, or have tunnel vision or blind spots. These headaches then turn into a constant, throbbing pain at the temples. More commonly, pain can be on one side of the head. Migraines may cause nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and noise. They can last from a few hours to a few days.

Migraines can affect people of all ages—including children. They most often occur in people between ages 13 and 55. Migraines can be hereditary. Women are three times as likely to have them; this is probably due to hormonal influences.

Treatment

See your doctor if you have migraines headaches that are frequent or severe. There are medicines that he or she can prescribe to stop the migraine when the medicine is taken at the onset of the attack. Other medicines may be prescribed to help ease the pain or nausea. Your doctor also may recommend that you consider preventive medication depending upon how often you suffer from migraines.

Some people find that relaxation techniques are useful for acute headaches. The effectiveness of these techniques still is being studied. Talk with your doctor about other ways to relieve you headaches.

Prevention

Although it’s not possible to control these headaches, there are ways you can help prevent migraines:

• Keep a headache diary to help identify triggers or patterns to your migraines.
• Learn biofeedback or other stress management techniques.
• Eat healthy, well-balanced meals and avoid delaying or missing meals.
• Avoid migraines triggers such as certain foods (red wines, aged cheese); alcohol; caffeine in excess or changes in caffeine consumption; nitrates (bacon, hot dogs, salami); and food additives such as monosodium glutamate (MSG).
• Develop regular sleep and exercise patterns. (Always talk with your doctor first when considering an exercise program.)

Your doctor can recommend prescription medicines that may help. Taken daily, these medicines can help stop migraines before they start.

If you rarely get headaches but suddenly get an excruciating, incapacitating headache, seek medical attention immediately. If your headaches are getting worse, or there’s a change in your usual headache pattern, contact your doctor.