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A migraine is a common and very painful type of headache that affects more women than men. Frequent attacks of migraine may be quite bothersome and may affect quality of life. Steps should be taken to identify and avoid migraine triggers with an aim of reducing the frequency and intensity of migraine attack.

How to identify a migraine?

Patients have described migraine as a very painful type of headache in which a throbbing or pulsating pain occurs in one area of the head. Sometimes migraine may be difficult to diagnose as symptoms overlap with other types of headache. Given below are some symptoms associated with migraine that will help you identify migraine from other types of headache.

• Migraine headache is accompanied with various other symptoms such as nausea and vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound. Many patients want to be isolated in a dark, quiet and cool room
• During migraine attack, pain is often felt on one side of the head however, some victims may report pain on both sides of the head
• The pain experienced during migraine localizes in the front, around the temples or behind an eye or ear
• Migraine pain is usually quite intense and often throbbing
• Unlike a headache, a migraine lasts a long time; from over an hour to a few days in worse case
• Some but not all migraine patients experience an aura at the onset of the migraine headache. This is one of the differentiating features of migraines
• Patients who suffer from migraine with aura (classic migraine) experience an 'aura' 10 to 30 minutes before actual migraine headache begins. During an aura, people may see flashing lights, zigzag lines or even a temporary loss of vision
• Sometimes physical symptoms may accompany aura. People may experience dizziness, weakness and feel pins and needles sensations in one arm or leg and face speech difficulty
• Migraine can occur any time of the day

What are common migraine triggers?


Factors that, on exposure or withdrawal, lead to a migraine attack are called migraine triggers. According to experts, patients must keep a detailed diary of what foods, events or activities trigger a migraine. By identifying and avoiding migraine triggers patients can reduce the intensity and frequency of migraine attacks. Some of the commonly observed migraine triggers are:

• Bright lights, loud noises
• Physical or emotional stress
• Menstrual cycle fluctuations, birth control pills, hormone fluctuations during the menopause transition
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Smoking or exposure to smoke
• Skipping meals
• Alcohol
• Changes in weather
• Certain odours or perfumes
• Allergic reactions
• Tension headaches
• Foods containing tyramine (red wine, aged cheese, smoked fish, chicken livers, figs and some beans), MSG or nitrates (like bacon, hot dogs and salami)
• Other foods such as chocolate, nuts, peanut butter, avocado, banana, citrus, onions, dairy products and fermented or pickled foods

Medicine for your migraine


Migraine may be relieved through non-prescription medicines such as aspirin, acetaminophen and ibuprofen. In severe cases, prescription medicines such as NSAIDS (Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs) may be used.


Many patients who wish to avoid dependence on medicines make use of alternative treatment methods to relieve migraine pain. These days, doctors are increasingly recommending the use of Cefaly electrotherapy device to prevent and moderate pain experienced during migraine attack. Cefaly emits gentle electric impulses that act on the nerve cells and thereby inhibits pain.