Understanding Migraine Headaches

Not all types of migraines have headaches, and there are a few migraine variations that lead to migraines in children. Up to 10 percent of children and 20 percent of adolescents will experience a migraine at least once, and for some the major symptoms will not include head pain. Cyclical vomiting, abdominal migraines, and benign paroxysmal vertigo of childhood are three migraine variations that o…

Many patients wonder about migraine frequency and are curious if there are others out there suffering like they are. It is not surprising to find out that there are many other people--men, women, and children alike--who suffer at least once in their lifetimes.

The Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) questionnaire was developed to measure the effect migraine headaches have on your daily function. It tries to determine how many days of your life were affected to the point that you were unable to function in a way to which you are accustomed. MIDAS takes into account the past three months when asking the questions. It was later adapted for children and given the label “PedMIDAS.”

The Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) questionnaire was developed to measure the effect migraine headaches have on your daily function. It tries to determine how many days of your life were affected to the point that you were unable to function in a way to which you are accustomed. MIDAS takes into account the past three months when asking the questions.

Serotonin Syndrome is an extremely dangerous condition that is usually caused by an adverse reaction to some medication. It can be the result of medication interactions, overdose, or even therapeutic use. There are numerous drugs used to treat headaches that can cause Serotonin Syndrome so headache sufferers would be wise to learn more about this potentially life-threatening condition.

When we talk about cleaning headaches we’re not just talking about those stubborn stains that won’t come out. Common household cleaning supplies can be a trigger for many migraine sufferers, and finding ways to keep your home clean without exposing yourself to the offending substances can be different kind of headache all together.

Migraine headaches can affect anyone. Understanding your risk factors for developing migraines, including knowing what you can change and what you cannot, will help you better deal with them.

Many time migraine headaches are preceded by some sort of visual disturbance known as an aura. They usually occur anywhere from 20 minutes to 24 hours before the pain of a migraine starts. These symptoms typically last for anywhere from 10 to 25 minutes. There are times when the aura occurs without actual pain, and in these cases it is known as a migraine equivalent.

Sometimes figuring out what causes a migraine is a difficult thing. Knowing the common (and sometimes not so common) migraine triggers will help you begin to understand how you experience headaches.

Individuals who learn to recognize the phases of a migraine may be able to treat symptoms early on, limiting the duration of these painful and disruptive episodes. Early treatment may involve taking migraine medication immediately, drinking a caffeinated drink, taking a shower, or resting, and may arrest the progression of a headache to a full-blown migraine.

Though there seems to be a connection between headaches, especially migraine headaches, and depression, researchers are still unsure as to what accounts for this linkage. However, the connection may involve chemicals, known as neurotransmitters, which help transfer nerve impulses in the brain.

Migraine headaches are always painful and disruptive, but on rare occasions, the symptoms preceding a migraine can be downright terrifying. These symptoms resemble those of stroke, and may include dizziness, loss of motor control and one-sided paralysis. Such headaches are termed "hemiplegic headaches."

Migraine headaches that are associated with episodes of vertigo are known as vestibular migraines. These are relatively uncommon, but very debilitating headaches.

Most children will experience at least one headache before the age of 15. About 5% to 10% grade school children will get a migraine and up to 20% of adolescents will experience one. Although the treatment of headaches in children is fairly straightforward, diagnosis isn’t always as simple.

Headaches are quite common in children, but don't always present in the same ways as in adults. Learn more about how children experience headaches, what types of headaches they get, and what you can do about them.

When is a migraine not a headache? While this might sound like a riddle, it actually has a serious answer. Surprisingly, migraines can occur without the classic pulsing head pain. In fact, about 3 to 5% of people with chronic migraines experience such headache-free migraines, known as "silent migraines."

Although the topic of sex and headaches have been the source of countless bad jokes, the combination is no laughing matter to individuals who actually experience sex-related headaches. Can sexual activity trigger migraines, and what can be done about them?

One of the most poorly understood and unusual types of migraines is something known as an "abdominal migraine." This kind of headache disorder doesn't necessarily produce head pain but causes abdominal distress, nausea and vomiting.

The relationship between headaches and sex has long been fodder for sitcom jokes with myriad portrayals of (mostly) women begging off intimacy because they do not feel well. But while comedians like to equate headaches with abstinence, there are some people for whom the opposite is true: these headache-prone individuals not only have stronger libidos, but orgasm is a very effective pain reliever.

There are a number of triggers for migraine headaches--certain foods or activities, medications, or stress--but is weather a factor? Read more to discover how meteorology is relevant to migraineurs.

An article that gives advice on how to deal with migraines and associated depression

Outlines coping strategies for dealing with nausea symptoms induced by migraine.