Migraine headaches

The most common symptom of a migraine headache is a throbbing pain on one side of your head. You also may have other symptoms before, during, and after a migraine.

A day or two before a migraine starts, you may feel:

• Depressed or cranky.
• Very happy, very awake, or full of energy.
• Very sleepy.

Some people have an aura. It may happen shortly before or during the headache. Some people may have an aura without the headache. During an aura, you may see spots, wavy lines, or flashing lights.

When the headache starts, symptoms can include:

• Throbbing pain on one or both sides of the head.
• Pain behind one eye.
• Moderate to very bad pain. It may be so bad that you can't do any of your usual activities.
• Nausea, vomiting, or both.
• Pain that gets worse when you're around light, noise, and sometimes smells.

You may have muscle aches or feel very tired for up to a day after your migraine ends.

Experts aren't sure what causes migraines. They believe that changes in the activity of brain cells may lead to inflammation in certain nerves, which causes pain. Migraines often run in families, so genetics may play a role for some people. Some things, called triggers, can cause a migraine to start.

Triggers are things that can cause a migraine headache to start. They include changes in daily routine, foods, hormones, and medicines. They can also include lights, odors, changes in the weather, or other things in the environment. Strong emotions, such as depression or anxiety, can also be triggers. Triggers are different for each person.

To help prevent migraine headaches:

• Avoid things that trigger your migraines, such as certain foods.
• Find healthy ways to cope with stress.
• Get regular exercise.
• Keep a regular schedule for sleeping and eating.
• Take medicine that prevents migraines, if your doctor prescribed it.

You can't cure migraines. But you can use medicines and other treatments to feel better. Finding and avoiding the things that trigger your headaches may also help.

The goal of treatment is to reduce how often you get migraines and to stop the headaches with the fewest drug side effects.

For mild to moderate migraines, you may first want to try over-the-counter pain relievers. They have fewer side effects. And they cost less than other medicines. But if they don't help, you may need prescription medicines.

Your doctor may prescribe medicines to stop or to prevent a migraine.

If treatment doesn't help your migraines, you and your doctor may make changes. You may try different medicines, a new mix of medicines, or different doses. Sometimes, treatments that don't use medicines are tried. It may take some time to find the right treatment to help you.