Despite advances in modern medicine, the cause of migraines remains unknown

Anyone who has suffered the relentless pain of a migraine can tell you it's no ordinary headache. Not only are migraines more severe, but they're usually accompanied by nausea, and often by hypersensitivity to normal stimuli like light, sound and odors. The pain is throbbing, usually on one side of the head, and can last anywhere from hours to days. Many sufferers feel lingering aftereffects like a "hung-over" feeling, mood changes and soreness in the area where the pain was centered. The frequency of attacks and severity of the pain varies from individual to individual. Some people may only experience a few in their life, while others will suffer a few a week. Intriguingly, about one third of migraine sufferers have a sensory experience known as an aura before the headache strikes ?a visual disturbance like flashes of light or blurred or tunnel vision, an unusual taste or odor, or a body symptom like tingling, numbness or dizziness. This aura indicates that a migraine is on its way, usually within an hour.

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Despite advances in modern medicine, the cause of migraines remains unknown, although there are a number of theories. One well-accepted hypothesis is that low serotonin levels in the brain may lead to constriction and dilation of the blood vessels, triggering a migraine. There appears to be some sort of hormonal component, as migraines are three times more common in females than males post-puberty, and many women associate migraines with fluctuations in their menstrual cycle. Migraines are known to disappear (or occasionally worsen) during pregnancy. Studies of twins indicate a genetic disposition to migraine. Common migraine causes or triggers are foods, food allergies, alcohol, smoking, changes in the weather, bright lights, loud noises, odors, stress, missed meals and lack of sleep. Sufferers are advised to keep a diary of their diet and the presence of common triggers preceding a migraine attack to identify their own personal triggers and patterns.

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Conventional treatment focuses on identifying and avoiding migraine triggers, and attempting to manage symptoms when a migraine strikes. Most sufferers need to lie down in a dark, quiet room. Over the counter pain medications aren't typically effective against a migraine. Prescription migraine medications are the most valuable approach to pain relief, particularly sumatriptan succinate, brand name Imitrex. Migraine medication is most effective if taken at the first signs of an attack.