If you or someone you love gets migraines, you know how painful they can be. While they occur more so in women than men, migraines still affect about one in eight people, and they can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days.
“Migraines are very common. It’s a debilitating headache for those who get it. It can be episodic. It can be chronic in nature,” explained Dr. Emad Estemalik, a headache specialist for Cleveland Clinic. “When we talk about migraines, it really relates to the frequency of headache days in any given month.”
Cleveland Clinic explains a migraine as much more than a bad headache. Migraines cause throbbing, pain on one side of the head that can leave a sufferer in bed until it ends. Besides the head pain, migraines can cause nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, and vision changes.
Researchers aren’t sure of the exact cause of migraines, but studies show genetics play a role. What they do know, however, is that there are common triggers that can lead to the pounding pain: like stress, hormonal changes, certain medications, and changes or disruptions in sleep.
Weather triggers
Another trigger you can’t necessarily avoid is the weather. When conditions change, about 1/3 of those who experience migraines say they suffer. According to the American Migraine Foundation, common weather that can induce migraine attacks include:
- Humidity
- Lightning
- Storms
- Extreme heat or cold
Food triggers
Even certain foods can be a trigger for migraine sufferers. Cleveland Clinic says the most common are:
- Aged cheeses
- Chocolate
- Processed or cured foods (like hot dogs and pepperoni)
- Food additives (like nitrates and MSG)
- Fermented or pickled foods
- Alcoholic drinks
- Caffeine
Treatments
Limiting triggering foods or staying indoors when the weather changes can offer some relief. Also, Dr. Estemalik says a range of different types of medications have been proven to help.
Another treatment option you may not have considered: Botox. While best known to help people who are fighting the battle against wrinkles, the injection can work by helping to suppress migraine pain.
“The arsenal and the treatment modalities are huge at this point, and I always tell a lot of patients there is no domain within neuroscience that has seen and witnessed the magnitude or such the amount of new treatments as migraines has,” Estemalik said.
But be careful with over-the-counter pain relievers. Estemalik said while they may be useful for the occasional migraine, you shouldn’t take them regularly because overuse can cause a rebound effect -- meaning once the medication wears off, the migraine just comes right back.
Diagnosing migraines
If you get what you call “really bad headaches,” talk to your primary doctor. Cleveland Clinic says a health care provider will diagnose a migraine after physical and neurological exams -- and a more in-depth look at your medical history and biological family health history.