Migraine headaches are severe headaches that often begin in one area of the head and then spread to other ears. When a migraine strikes, it may seem like the worst pain in the world and you would do anything to stop it. The good thing regarding a migraine is that it is transient, that is the pain will go away after sometime.

A variety of headache closely related to the migraine is the cluster headache. The truth is almost everyone has had a headache at one point in his or her life. How bad are your headaches? Is it just a normal headache or it is a migraine headache? Read on to find out more.

The most important symptom you will probably have with your migraine headache is pain, and as you know, the pain can be very severe and last many hours. The exact cycle of events taking place in our brains during a migraine attack is still not fully understood. Approximately 25% of women and 8% of men suffer from migraine at some time in their lives. A migraine may remain at a "static" level that is tolerable, as long as the patient is not physically active, such as sitting at the office, or reading at home.

Migraine triggers are numerous and varied and occur in combinations peculiar to a individual. Triggers can be divided into different groups, including emotional triggers, stress, environmental, chemical, food and beverage. Migraine headache resulted from the expansion (or dilation) of blood vessels in the brain and scalp. Insufficient sleep, anxiety, problems, and worries give rise to the migraine headache. Staying up late or drinking too much coffee will bring on a headache every time. There are many possible triggers for migraines and they differ from one migraine sufferer to another. Stress, insomnia, over sleeping, and hunger may also trigger migraines.

What causes migraines is still somewhat of a mystery. Some even go to say that a migraine maybe caused by the end of a stressful situation. You may find it hard to avoid them, but for some people, environmental changes can trigger a migraine. Although the cause of migraine headaches is often undetermined, we do know that they present in different ways, and may involve different areas of the head and/or neck area.

Treatments of Migraine Headache

There are a lot of things you can do for yourself to help treat each of your migraine headaches. Some people find that by falling asleep, they can actually reduce the attack. Before you consider any treatment for your headaches, it is important that you make sure your diagnosis is indeed migraine

Crucial to the appropriate treatment of headache is the proper diagnosis of its type, and migraine headache is a particularly common form of recurring headache. Individuals with mild and infrequent migraine headaches that do not cause disability may require only OTC analgesics. Knowing what triggers attacks is a major step towards preventing them. People can avoid exacerbating aspects of Migraine by paying more attention to the triggering cause of the pain.

One of the most important aspects of headache treatment is your own control over your headache, and control starts with identifying your own triggers, and learning to avoid them. How migraine headaches are treated is usually determined by the frequency of the headaches. If the pain is severe, which it frequently is during a full-blown migraine attack, then you may need medication. Virtually all migraine therapies are designed to eliminate, or at least reduce, pain.

There are other alternative treatment options for migraine headaches. Some people put fingertip pressure on one of your temporal arteries, which are arteries you can feel on either side of your head near your temples. Other non-medication treatments include relaxation training; thermal or electromyographic (EMG) biofeedback, which is electrical activity recorded from small sensors attached to the scalp, mixed with relaxation training; and cognitive-behavioral treatments. Try putting a cold damp cloth on your forehead or temple (on the side that is painful), or deploy a frozen bag of peas wrapped in a small towel, as cold compresses can sometimes help with the pain.

Given so much options of treatments, there is no need to endure the pain. The good thing about a migraine is that it usually stops as people get older.

I have this horrible tension headache but there are few meds I can take. I had a reaction to Excedrin tension headache and there are many cold medicines that don't react well. Unfortunately, I don't know until my ears swell up and turn numb while my body itches with hives and I have to go the er once again.

Try Head-On. I bought it as a fluke & was amazed at how well it works. You can also try Active-On. Rub it on the back of your neck & your shoulder blades. Amazing!

Don't dwell on the tension. Worrying and/or getting upset about the fact that tension affects you only makes it worse. When you notice it smear on the Head/Active-On, shut your eyes & go away for a few minutes. Imagine you're on a beach or walking your dog or buying a new purse — whatever makes you happy.

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Migraine is one of the most painful and debilitating conditions a person may suffer from and what is worse, there is not much you can do about it. Migraine headaches are often caused by the changes in the shape and size of the blood vessels that are found in the head. The blood vessels may expand or an inflammation may occur in the tissues that are found in that area.

As to what exactly causes this to happen in such an unsystematic way, no one knows yet. Ongoing researches about the underlying causes of migraines have not yielded much and debates are still going on. Some specialists believe that migraine headaches may be caused by the constriction in the blood vessel, particularly in the electronic changes in the vessels that are similar with what happens during seizures. Others feel that migraines are actually hereditary and people with history of migraines in the family will most likely suffer from the problem.

A migraine headache should not be confused with the common headache, which a person may suffer from every now and then. They are poles different from one another. The migraine headache, for instance can last from four to 72 hours while the common headache, or what is commonly referred to by medical practitioners as tension headaches, can last only for a few hours.

Pain is also more localized with the migraine headache, often occurring on the sides of the head while tension headaches can encompass the entire head area. Another difference is the intensity of the pain.

Tension headaches are milder and duller in comparison while migraine headaches can be really severe, accompanied by pounding throbbing pain that only increases. Migraine headaches can also be accompanied by other physical problems such as sensitivity to light, sound and odors as well as nausea and vomiting.

Migraine does not announce itself in a set of early symptoms. The recurring headaches just happen, often catching the person by surprise. There is however one kind where in the person may see a visual hallucination, called an aura, before the actual migraine headache occurs. This kind is called the classic migraine headache.

The classic migraine headache is a lot different from what specialists call the common headaches, which occurs without any warning whatsoever. There is also the complicated migraines, which may be a manifestation of more serious medical problems in the nervous system. Often, this type migraine headache is accompanied by speech, movement and motor irregularities.

I enjoy drinking the occasional beer, amaretto sour, margarita, or glass of riesling wine but within a few hours I develop a headache that can only be slept off.

Otherwise I am a very healthy individual who eats a good diet, does not drink caffeine (I am sensitive), and drinks water constantly.

I am curious as to the cause as well as any possible solutions. It would be nice to enjoy a beverage from time to time.

Hangovers are multi-causal. Ethanol has a dehydrating effect by causing increased urine production (such substances are known as diuretics), which causes headaches, dry mouth, and lethargy. Dehydration causes the brain to shrink away from the skull slightly.[3] This can be mitigated by drinking water or an oral electrolyte solution after consumption of alcohol. Alcohol's effect on the stomach lining can account for nausea. Because of the increased NADH production during metabolism of ethanol by the enzymes alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase, excess NADH can build up and slow down gluconeogenesis in the liver, thus causing hypoglycemia.

Another factor contributing to a hangover are the products from the breakdown of ethanol via liver enzymes. Ethanol is converted to acetaldehyde by the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase, and then from acetaldehyde to acetic acid by the enzyme acetaldehyde dehydrogenase. Acetaldehyde (ethanal) is mildly toxic, contributing to hangover. These two reactions also require the conversion of NAD+ to NADH. With an excess of NADH, the lactate dehydrogenase reaction is driven to produce lactate from pyruvate (the end product of glycolysis) in order to regenerate NAD+ and sustain life. This diverts pyruvate from other pathways such as gluconeogenesis, thereby impairing the ability of the liver to supply glucose to tissues, especially the brain. Because glucose is the primary energy source of the brain, this lack of glucose contributes to hangover symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, mood disturbances, and decreased attention and concentration.

There are various nervous system effects: the removal of the depressive effects of alcohol in the brain probably account for the light and noise sensitivity.

In addition, it is thought that the presence of other alcohols (such as fusel oils), by-products of the alcoholic fermentation also called congeners, exaggerate many of the symptoms (cogeners may also be zinc or other metals added primarily to sweet liqueurs to enhance their flavor); this probably accounts for the mitigation of the effects when distilled alcohol, particularly vodka, is consumed instead.

The amount of congeners in the drink may also have an effect. Red wines have more congeners than white wines, and some people note less of a hangover with white wine. Some individuals have a strong negative reaction to red wine called red wine headache that can affect them within 15 minutes after drinking a single glass of red wine. The headache is usually accompanied by nausea and flushing.

In alcohol metabolism, one molecule of ethanol (the primary active ingredient in alcoholic beverages) produces 2 molecules of NADH, utilizing Vitamin B12 as a coenzyme. Over-consumption of ethanol may cause vitamin B12 deficiency as well.

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I'm doing a detox with water, fruits, veggies, and a 7 day supplement called detox 7. Im on my 3rd day, i feel great but when i wake up i have a massive, painful headache, its unbearable.. I had to take two excedrins, i know that defeats the detox but i has in pain.
How can i get rid of the headache without taking excedrin.?
I usually drink 6 cups of coffe and have 2 red bulls a day.

Unless you have been diagnosed as having migraine, I don't think this is migraine. Withdrawing from caffeine can throw you into a horrendous headache. Considering the amount of coffee and red bull you drink, this is not surprising.

Many people consider a very bad headache to be a migraine. Migraine is a neurological disorder, which encompasses a large group of symptoms. It is not solely defined as a bad headache.

In my opinion, you would be best to fore go this detoxification process and treat yourself in a more reasonable manner. Reduce your intake of caffeine gradually. I am pretty sure the drastic steps you have taken in regards to your caffeine intake have thrown you into this headache situation.

Please be kind to yourself. Re-examine this detoxification plan. Why are you doing it? Is the "detox 7" a safe product? Is it FDA approved?

You didn't start out drinking so many caffeinated drinks all at once. You shouldn't stop them all at once.

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Headache is known as Shiro Roga in Ayurveda. Literally it means ‘disease of the head’. Headache is not a single type of disorder; but it is a name given to several problems of the head. There are 11 types of headache in Ayurveda. They can be caused due to a various number of causes. Some of them are:-

- Trauma

- Inflammation of the meninges

- Encephalitis

- Cerebral abscess

- Migraine

- Hypertension

- Cerebral hemorrhage

- Vasodilator drugs

- Alcohol hangover

Apart from these there are several other factors such as fevers, metabolic disorders and diseases of the eye, ear and nose which can cause headaches.

Though pain is predominantly vitiation of the vata dosha, vitiation of the pitta and kapha doshas can also cause headaches. The chief symptoms of the three different doshic types of headaches are:-

1. Vata type of Headache – The pain is intermittent, i.e. of a hammering type. There is constipation, insomnia and depression. These pains are compounded by mental tensions.

2. Pitta type of Headache – The pain is usually felt on half of the head. It is accompanied by a burning sensation and wateriness in the eyes. The person is generally scared of light.

(1) Useful Herbs in the Treatment of Headache

1. Betel (Piper betle)

The leaves of the betel have analgesic and cooling properties. When a paste of them is applied to the center of the headache, then immediate relief is obtained.

2. Bishop’s Weed (Trachyspermum ammi)

Bishop’s weed can keep severe headaches away. It is most effective in headaches that occur due to migraine. The fumes of the lighted bishop’s weed seeds are used for the treatment. These fumes are smoked or the seeds are sniffed directly.

3. Clove (Syzygium aromaticum)

The aroma of the clove has a headache-allaying effect. It can soothe the nerves and bring it back to a pacified state.

4. Garlic (Allium sativum)

Garlic has almost miraculous properties in relieving headaches, of whatever type they are. Their juice slowly permeates the head region and acts as a painkiller.

5. Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Ginger has painkilling properties. Due to this property, it is used as an external application on the affected head region. This gives relief from the headache.

6. Henna (Lawsonia inermis)

Henna flowers have the capacity to reduce headaches if they are caused by excessive heat. The henna flowers are applied externally on the head with vinegar to get the desired results.

(2) Dietary Treatments for Headache

Sweet and mild tastes are better in relieving headaches than other tastes. When there is a headache, consuming a sweet preparation or even a spoonful of sugar helps.

Milk and ghee are also beneficial in headaches. Preferably, the milk of a cow should be warmed and had when there is a headache.

Rice is the preferred carbohydrate to be taken in times of headache. The water left after cooking the rice should be had when it is warm, with a dash of ghee added in it.

Spicy and fried foods must be avoided when there is a headache.

(3) Ayurvedic Treatment for Headache

Since there are many different types of headaches, there are different treatments for them in Ayurveda. Ayurveda does not treat all headaches with uniformity. The following are the different treatments prescribed:-

1. If the headache is of vata type, then Triphala choorna is first prescribed to clear the digestive system. Then Shirashooladivajra rasa must be taken, or Mahavata Vidhwansana rasa must be taken twice a day in dosages of 125 milligrams in warm water.

2. If the headache is of pitta type, then amalaki is prescribed, or Triphala which contains amalaki can also be given. Half a gram of Shatavari is to be taken twice a day for a month.

3. If the headache is of kapha type, then anu taila is applied first to clear the nostrils. Then medicines such as Shoola Gajakesari rasa are given in dosages of 125 milligrams thrice or four times a day.

(4) Home Medications

a. A paste of clove and salt crystals is prepared in milk. The main curative ingredient in this is salt, which, being hygroscopic, absorbs the fluids in the head and decreases the tension.

b. Early morning after waking up dab an apple with salt and eat it. After that, drink some warm water or milk. Continuing this for ten days will reduce the problem of continuous headaches.

c. Peel a piece of garlic. Put it in the mouth and chew it slightly. Let its juices spread around the mouth region and upwards into the head. Keep on chewing the garlic mildly and allow the juices to spread. Within some minutes the headache would disappear. This treatment works even for the most persistent of headaches.

d. For headaches that are caused due to common colds, drinking a decoction of coriander and sugar helps tremendously. One more method to clear common cold related headaches is to place both feet in warm water for about half an hour.

e. For headaches that are caused due to excessive gas in the stomach, drinking a glass of warm water with a fresh lemon squeezed in it brings the headache as well as the gas problem down.

f. Grind some cinnamon and make it into a paste with water. Apply this on the head. This reduces headaches.

g. Soak some almonds in water overnight. In the morning, grind them into a paste and warm them slightly in ghee. Mix this in water and drink. This helps in treating headaches that have been going on since a long time.

h. Drinking a glass of water in which jaggery has been mixed helps in reducing headaches.

I occasionally get a headache that is so bad I can't focus on doing work. It doesn't affect my vision or anything but nothing I take will get rid of it. I've tried BC powder and extra doses of Ibuprofen but that does nothing. It's usually around my right temple. I work at a computer all day so I'm pretty sure that has something to do with it. When I try to take a nap after work, it makes the headache worse when I wake up. The only thing that gets rid of it is to get a full nights rest.

Last night I tried putting some ice on the spot and it became a very sharp almost unbearable pain. Any suggestions?

I would suggest massaging the head with a well lubricated hand in order for… er… tension to be released.

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Mint and eucalyptus ease the pain of a headache. Lavender relaxes the mind enabling the removal of a headache. Headaches are gone due to the restorative abilility of our Headache candle to remove mental fatique and stimulation. Burn time of the Headache Candle is 155 or more hours. We use pure soy to create this 16 oz. soy candle.

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