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It’s the very rare person who has never had a headache. However, all headaches are not created equally. There are various forms and one of the most painful and difficult to handle is the migraine headache.

They occur on only one side of the head. It is not necessarily always the same side every time you have a migraine. They can also cause severe nausea and vomiting and the sufferer can be sensitive to light and sound. The pain also becomes worse with activity.

A migraineur might also experience sensory disturbances prior to the start of the pain. This is called an aura and it could include brightly colored blinking lines, flashes of light, dots and black spots. A person might also lose a portion of their vision and see only half of an object. These migraines are called ‘classical’ and the headache usually commences about 10 - 30 minutes after the aura. Only 10% - 15% of sufferers have this type of a migraine.

The ‘common’ migraine is what the other 85% - 90% of the people will get. Their warning signs could include a hot sensation in the head, a feeling of heaviness and a tightening sensation throughout the scalp. These warnings can occur anywhere from a few hours to an entire day before the headache commences.

It’s very helpful if you can read your own body warnings and symptoms and a way to do this is to keep a symptom diary. By doing this you can identify any patterns that might show up. For instance, if you are a woman, and you notice that your headaches occur at the same time every month, then it is possible that they are connected to your monthly cycle. This information can be very helpful in coming up with a treatment plan.

A migraine headache can last anywhere from four hours to seventy-two hours. It usually starts with a dull, aching pain, developing into an overwhelming throbbing pain that can fluctuate. Those who are very sensitive to light need to retire to a darkened room and lie as still as possible. Bending over or any sudden movement can make the pain worse. Other changes in the body can include diarrhea, loss of appetite and increased urination.

While the headache is at its worse, the hands and feet can feel extremely cold. However, just before the migraine the head might have felt hot. All these temperature changes are thought to be due to disturbances taking place in the hypothalamus, which is the bodys thermostat.

Often people get migraines after a period of intense stress has ended, such as on vacation, a weekend or shortly after meeting a deadline. It is not unusual for the migraine sufferer to feel completely drained when the migraine is all over. Some report feeling exhausted for days after; yet others feel a sense of renewal and experience a surge of energy.

If, after reading this, you believe that the headaches you are having are migraines, it is recommended that you visit your health care provider, as regular over-the-counter pain medication will do very little to help alleviate your headache.