Finding Cure For Migraine Headaches Making Progress
Possibly the worst pain a person has experienced could be considered the pain caused by a migraine headache. It is not only the pain from the headache that is debilitating as an acute sensitivity to light and sound can make the pain intolerable. The over 15 percent of women and about five percent of men suffering from migraine headaches, often simply want a dark, quiet place to stay until the headache goes away.
With this type of headache typical pain relievers have had to affect on reducing the pain and until recently, the supposition was that a person with a migraine would have basically have to suffer until it subsided. New research is showing promise of using triptan drugs for pain relief.
The exact cause of migraine headaches is unknown and there have too many theories to lend credence to any specific study. However, a reduction in serotonin has been noted in sufferers and several different triggers have been identified as causing these debilitating headaches. Triptans are being considered at the top of the list of drug that is showing progress in reducing the pain of a migraine. When it is combined with pain relievers, it has shown to drastically reduce the pain of this type of headache.
Diagnosing Causes Of Headaches
Before a person can begin medical treatment for migraine headaches, a doctor will usually attempt to determine if the pain is caused by some other ailment. Medical history may indicate that the headache is the primary cause of the pain, meaning the headache pain has not external causes. If migraine headache pain is found to be the result of another medical problem, treating the cause of the pain will be necessary.
There are several tests the doctor may conduct to determine the cause of the migraine headaches including a CT scan, computer imaging to view the brain in a cross-sectional image, MRI, magnetic resonance imaging to look for such things as a stroke, aneurysm and blood clots. In some cases a lumbar tap, to examine for illnesses such as meningitis. These tests can help determine if there are any underlying causes for the migraine pain.
Many times a migraine headache is preceded by what is termed an aura or a vision of lights in the eyes. Blind spots spreading through the field of vision or lines of line that make seeing difficult. The lights may also appear like sparkling lights that interfere with a person's vision and can last for a few minutes to several hours before and immediately after a migraine headache begins.
