Migraine Articles

A migraine is a throbbing headache, usually on one side of the head, that is made worse  by light and noise and is usually followed by nausea and vomiting. No one wants to suffer from a migraine, and paying attention to the triggers is really a form a preventative migraine treatment. 

Causes vary from person to person so it is important to keep track of all that happens before a migraine attack to see if there is a trend.  These are some of the triggers:

• Heat.


• Bright or blinking lights, computer screens, fluorescent tubes and especially glare from the sun can all produce a migraine, as can other visual stimuli, like flashing lights, or eyestrain.


• Odors - whether nice or nasty.


• Second hand cigarette smoke.


• Foggy weather (when there is a high ozone level).


• In addition to skipping meals or fasting, specific foods and beverages trigger migraine headaches in many people.  Included are certain foods such as mozzarella cheese as well as food additives monosodium glutamate (MSG) and tyramine. (which is a chemical by-product created by protein breaking down in aged foods, like certain cheeses). 


• If you are not used to vigorous exercise, over-exertion can make it more likely that you will get a migraine.


• Tension and stress whether negative or positive experiences.  A classic migraine pattern is someone who works or studies hard all week, only to collapse with an intense migraine on the weekend after the impetus has disappeared.


• Alcohol is another trigger - particularly red wine, sherry, and beer.


• Chocolate, including hot chocolate and cocoa.


• Insomnia whether through lack of sleep, too much sleep, a change in your sleeping pattern or a pillow that is too hard.  Even napping or going to bed and getting up on an irregular schedule can trigger migraines for some.


• Some women have migraines just before, during or just after menstrual periods.  Changing estrogen levels are a common trigger.


• Sometimes triggers are caused by factors over which you have no control such as the environment including changes in the barometric pressure, in altitude, temperature or humidity. 

Be aware that some over-the-counter pain relievers can actually cause migraines if they contain caffeine as caffeine is yet another trigger.

If a migraine starts, take H-Headaches™ right at the onset of an attack when the healing process usually takes effect within several minutes after application.  The natural essential oils in the formula travel into the blood vessels easing the restrictions which cause the headaches and migraines.  You should then close your eyes and lie down in a dark and quiet room until the attack is over.  Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) may help reduce the intensity and the frequency of migraine attack while herbs such as ginkgo and feverfew help in lowering the intensity of the pain.