Why do I get constantly bad migraines?

Answer 1

Migraine Headaches: Ways to Deal With the Pain

What causes migraine headaches?
Migraine headaches seem to be caused in part by changes in the level of a body chemical called serotonin. Serotonin plays many roles in the body, and it can have an effect on the blood vessels. When serotonin levels are high, blood vessels constrict (shrink). When serotonin levels fall, the blood vessels dilate (swell). This swelling can cause pain or other problems.

Many things can affect the level of serotonin in your body, including your level of blood sugar, certain foods and changes in your estrogen level if you're a woman.

Possible symptoms of migraines:
-->Intense throbbing or dull aching pain on one side of your head or both sides.
-->Nausea or vomiting
-->Changes in how you see, including blurred vision or blind spots
-->Being bothered by light, noise or odors
-->Feeling tired and/or confused
-->Stopped-up nose
-->Feeling cold or sweaty
-->Stiff or tender neck
-->Light-headedness
-->Tender scalp

Are there different kinds of migraine headaches?
Yes. The most common are classic migraine and common migraine.

Classic migraines start with a warning sign, called an aura. The aura often involves changes in the way you see. You may see flashing lights and colors. You may temporarily lose some of your vision, such as your side vision.

You may also feel a strange prickly or burning sensation, or have muscle weakness on one side of your body. You may have trouble communicating. You may also feel depressed, irritable and restless.

Auras last about 15 to 30 minutes. Auras may occur before or after your head pain, and sometimes the pain and aura overlap, or the pain never occurs. The head pain of classic migraines may occur on one side of your head or on both sides.

Common migraines don't start with an aura. Common migraines may start more slowly than classic migraines, last longer and interfere more with daily activities. The pain of common migraines may be on only one side of your head.

How long do migraines usually last?
Migraines may last from 4 to 72 hours. They may happen only once or twice a year, or as often as daily. Women are more likely to have migraines than men.

What things may set off a migraine?
Certain things that can set off migraines in some people include the following:

-->Strong or unusual odors, bright lights or loud noises
-->Changes in weather or altitude
-->Being tired, stressed or depressed or the let-down after a stressful event
-->Changes in sleeping patterns or sleeping time
-->Certain foods (see the list below), especially those that contain tyramine, sodium nitrate or phenylalanine
-->Missing meals or fasting
-->Menstrual periods, birth control pills or hormones
Intense physical activity, including sexual activity

Foods that may trigger migraines:
-->Aged, canned, cured or processed meat, including bologna, game, ham, herring, hot dogs, pepperoni and sausage
-->Aged cheese
-->Alcoholic beverages, especially red wine
-->Aspartame
-->Avocados
-->Beans, including pole, broad, lima, Italian, navy, pinto and garbanzo
-->Brewer's yeast, including fresh yeast coffee cake, donuts and sourdough bread
-->Caffeine (in excess)
-->Canned soup or bouillon cubes
-->Chocolate, cocoa and carob
-->Cultured dairy products, such as buttermilk and sour cream
-->Figs
-->Lentils
-->Meat tenderizer
-->Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
-->Nuts and peanut butter
-->Onions, except small amounts for flavoring
-->Papaya
-->Passion fruit
-->Pea pods
-->Pickled, preserved or marinated foods, such as olives and pickles, and some snack foods
-->Raisins
-->Red plums
-->Sauerkraut
-->Seasoned salt
-->Snow peas
-->Soy sauce

How are migraines treated?
There are 2 types of migraine treatments. Some treatments are used to relieve the headache pain. Most of these treatments should be started as soon as you think you're getting a migraine. The other type includes treatments that are used to prevent headaches before they occur.

Can nonprescription medicines help relieve the pain?
Yes. Nonprescription medicines can help migraine pain. They include aspirin, acetaminophen (one brand name: Tylenol), an acetaminophen, aspirin and caffeine combination (one brand name: Excedrin Migraine), ibuprofen (one brand name: Motrin), naproxen (brand name: Aleve), and ketoprofen (brand name: Orudis KT).

What about prescription medicines?
People with more severe pain may need prescription medicine. A medicine called ergotamine (brand name: Ergostat) can be effective alone or combined with other medicines. Dihydroergotamine (brand names: Migranal, D.H.E. 45) is related to ergotamine and can be helpful.

Other prescription medicines for migraines include sumatriptan (brand name: Imitrex), zolmitriptan (brand name: Zomig), naratriptan (brand name: Amerge) rizatriptan (brand name: Maxalt), almotriptan (brand name: Axert), eletriptan (brand name: Relpax) and frovatriptan (brand name: Frova).

If the pain won't go away, stronger medicine may be needed, such as a narcotic (brand name: Stadol nasal spray) or medicines that contain a barbiturate. These medicines can be habit-forming and should be used cautiously.

Can medicine help prevent migraines?
Yes. Medicine to prevent migraines may be helpful if your headaches happen more than twice a month or if your headaches make it hard for you to work and function. Examples of medicines used to prevent migraines include propranolol (brand name: Inderal), timolol (brand name: Blocadren), divalproex (brand name: Depakote) and some antidepressants.

What else can I do to prevent migraines?
Try to avoid foods or other things that seem to cause migraines for you. Get plenty of sleep. Try to relax and reduce the stress in your life.

Answer 2

a migraine occurs when a blood vessel becomes irritated and swells. The nerve ending around that irritated blood vessel sense the irritation causing pain. It took me 3 yrs to find the right neurologist and the right combinations of medication to curb my migraines. I still get one or two a month. I use an ice pack, dark room and silence to help reduce the pain. Keep a journal of what you have eaten, medications, bright light, spots before your eyes and all other symptoms. This will help you identify triggers of your migraines and it will help your doctor to give you the right combination of medication. I wish you the best. Maybe you will be one of the lucky one that they just disappear.

Answer 3

I am a migraine sufferer myself. I find that I tend to get them around my period, I asked my doctor about it and was told that it is hormone related. I also find that the weather has a lot to do with it also, if it is going to rain then I get a migraine. Try watching when you are getting them. Then discuss it with your doctor he may be able to give you some advice or even a perscription for your migraine.

Answer 4

Ask your Dr. to run a test to see if they can find a trigger for your migraines. Mine are triggered by bananas and since I found that out I have had far less migraines.

Answer 5

The anesthetic overdose has something to do with it. It changes the chemical makeup of the brain just like marijuana does so would the anesthetic. You should have a brain scan for that also blood tests to see whats causing them. The fact they keep giving you meds for a chronic problem and dont run tests is disturbing to me. Your doctors are irresponsible, but Im really glad you came back to us from your visit to heaven.

Answer 6

and dont know why you do, but many things cause them, stress, hormones, i always get the worst after ive had a good cry... i made an appt with a nueroligist.. about time because i also get bells palsy, here and there..anyways good luck...get seen with the docs... i take 800 motrin for mine and that works, but some people need different meds than that...

Answer 7

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Answer 8

Try and change your diet. Don't eat chocolate, soda, pizza, or any spicy foods.... It also might be the pollen in the air.. which probabaly would be more of a sinus headache.... I get them both and they are both just as painful!

Answer 9

could be your diet. are you drinking lots of pop with caffiene?
could be stress, could be your eyes. Do you have TMJ?
you need to see a doctor and voice your concerns and see if he/she can help you get control of your migraines.

Answer 10

do you wear glass's, it might just be a check up and see if you need to wear them. If this does not help a trip to the doc should be the next step.

Answer 11

i had migranes all my life, and its because im senetive to bright sunlight and strong perfume. also lots of pple get migranes because of MGI or whatever, in food its like an enhanser for the colour in your food