Migraine is one of the common problems that afflict many of the people. This headache problem occurs due to changes in the brain and the blood vessels surrounding them and lasts from 4 hours to three days. The frequency of these headaches vary from a daily basis to less than once a year. National Headache Foundation, a research organization dedicated to health issues in the United States of America has found out that around 37 million people in the United States have issues related to a migraine.

Causes of migraine headaches
The exact causes of migraine headaches are yet not known, but it is believed that it occurs due to the expansion of the blood vessels and release of some chemicals which results in the occurrence of pain. It is, however, known that different triggers ignite a migraine and different people have distinct triggers, which incite a migraine in them.

Foods such as cheese, nuts, chocolate are the causes of migraine headaches in some people. If a person misses the meal, it can also result in a headache which eventually transforms into a migraine.

Stress are some other causes of migraine headaches. Increased emotional and physical stress also causes migraine headaches in some people.

Symptoms of a migraine
The symptoms of a migraine also vary with people. Five distinct phases of a migraine are known now.

Prodrome
A migraine has many pre-warnings before it occurs. Change in mood, change in sensations, fatigue and muscle tension are some of the warnings which indicate that a migraine is about to occur.

Aura
This is kind of sensory disturbance which precedes a headache. Some people see blind spots and feel as if geometric patterns and colorful lights are visible. In serious cases, people who suffer from a migraine might lose vision in one eye.

Headache
Usually, migraine results in pain in one side of the head, but sometimes it occurs on both sides of the head. Sometimes, the pain is so intense that the person feels like vomiting. People who have a migraine might also suffer from phonophobia and photophobia (fear from sound and light) owing to a migraine.

Termination of a headache
Even if some treatment options are not taken in a migraine, the pain withers away as the patient sleeps.

Postdrome
People who suffer from a migraine often find it difficult to eat, have problems with concentrating on any issue at hand and might also face fatigue issues. This lethargy might persist even when there is no pain.

Cure of a migraine

• Migraine can be controlled using both prescribed treatment options and natural remedies.
• People suffering from a migraine can use a cold compress on the area which is affected by this pain. The use of a comfortable pillow also reduces the intensity of pain in some cases.
• If the intensity of pain is severe, the person having migraine should sleep in a room which has no light, sound or smell. In cases, when a migraine is severe, the person should not remain in a stressful ambiance, if it exists in the area.
• Reducing the intake of caffeine also helps in reduction of migraine pain.

Following a healthy lifestyle is an ideal way of overcoming this problem in long run. People who tend to remain happy also do not suffer from a migraine in the long run.