Causes of Migraine Headaches

Migraine headaches can very easily cause a person to lose daily function and enjoyment of life.  Preventing and treating migraine headaches, however, is certainly possible with the right combination of medicine and therapy.  The exact causes of migraine headaches remain unknown to the medical community, but it is widely held that serotonin levels in the brain play a significant role in the formation of migraine headaches.  Low serotonin levels can frequently lead to a migraine headache episode.  

A migraine headache can oftentimes be accompanied by an “aura.”  An aura occurs when a classic migraine headache begins to develop.  In a classic migraine attack, the patient may note changes in vision and mood.  Tenderness in the scalp is another sign of an oncoming migraine headache.  Alterations in mood can also occur, such as depression or irritability.  These subtle symptoms can manifest as early as a day before the episode.  The following migraine headaches usually come about with a high degree of intensity, but do not last long.  

Common migraine headache symptoms take longer to develop, and last longer than classic migraines.  This can be seriously debilitating, and can be a real impediment to daily life.  Luckily, there are many medications out there that can both reduce pain and help to prevent the onset of migraines.  Sleep and plenty of fluids are crucial factors in migraine episode prevention.  During an attack, go to a quiet and dimly lit area.  Use a cold compress to reduce the tension, and massage the scalp with a fair amount of pressure.  Stress is believed to be one of the top causes of migraine headaches, and should therefore be avoided as much as possible. Some foods are also believed to be behind causes of migraine headaches.

Physicians recommend, for example, that red wine should be avoided by sufferers of migraine headaches.  Canned and processed meat are also known as frequent causes of migraine headaches.  Cause of headaches can also include excess amounts of caffeine, aged cheese, or cultured dairy products.  If you suffer regular migraine headaches, see a physician for a full list of foods and beverages that should be avoided.