If you have ever suffered from a migraine attack, you would know how it is almost impossible to stay unaffected and carry on with your routine when you have a throbbing headache. To add to the agony, migraine headaches are not like the regular headaches that vanish after a few minutes or in a few hours. Sometimes migraine headaches can stretch for days or even months.

So, how can you prevent, manage or treat your migraine headaches?

What causes a migraine?
Unfortunately, doctors and researchers are not certain about the exact cause of migraine. There are several theories about the possible causes of migraine that people have come up with over the years.

• One of the most possible causes of migraine could be an underlying central nervous disorder that causes migraine headaches every time it is being triggered.
• You can also develop a migraine if it runs in your family as in such cases, your genes are susceptible to developing the condition.
• You may also suffer from migraine attacks if there is an abnormality in your brain’s blood vessel system or the nerve pathways.

What can increase your risk of developing migraine?
There are several risk factors that are often linked with a migraine. These factors are found to increase your chances of developing a migraine.

• Age is one of the most common risk factors associated with this disease. Most people experience their first migraine attack during their adolescence.
• It is observed that during childhood, boys are at a higher risk of suffering from migraine attacks. However, after puberty, women are at a much higher risk of developing migraine headaches, especially during their menstruation.
• If either of your parents ever suffered from migraine attacks, then you are more prone to experiencing migraine than people who do not have a family history of the disease.

What are some known triggers that cause a migraine?
Firstly, you need to keep in mind that when it comes to migraine triggers, most of the times they are physiological more than being emotional triggers. Here are some common triggers that might cause migraine attacks:

• Skipping meals
  If you are already suffering from a migraine and you end up skipping meals, then your migraine might flare up.
• Food
  It is observed that certain food items like highly processed food items or food items like cheese and dairy products aggravate migraine condition. Some artificial sweeteners and preservatives that you see on the back of packaged food are also known to cause a migraine.
• Hormonal changes
  Women often complain that they experience migraine headaches before or during their period.
• Irregular sleep pattern
  People who do not have a fixed sleep pattern or who are often sleep deprived are at a high risk of getting migraine headaches.
• Stress
  Stress is seen to induce a migraine headache in people. It is hence imperative to keep your stress level in check.

What are some common symptoms that indicate a migraine?

• It is important to understand the common symptoms of the disease if you want to figure out the best treatment for a migraine and ways in which you can relieve the pain.
• While a headache is the most common sign that indicates that you might suffer from a migraine, there are many other symptoms that you need to look out for.
• Being hit by nausea frequently is another sign that might be warning you of a case of a migraine.
• A sudden abnormal sensitivity to brightness and extreme intolerance to loud sounds are other symptoms that are common in patients suffering from a migraine.
• Other than these symptoms, fatigue, neck stiffness, dizziness, sensitivity to smell and change in vision are other secondary symptoms that might be alerting you of your migraine condition.

A migraine does not just affect you physically, but it also drains you emotionally and psychologically. If you notice that you get chronic headaches, then see your doctor immediately and start your migraine treatment. With proper treatment for migraine and some positive changes in your lifestyle, you can tackle a case of migraine and live better.