Headache... or Migraine?

Q: Who gets migraines?
Migraines appear to be an illness that runs in families. If you suffer from migraines, chances are high that someone else in your family does too.
Although both men and women get migraines, it is more common in women.

Q: What causes migraines?
As yet, no one knows the exact cause of a migraine. But factors such as hormones, the environment and heredity, for example, may all play a role and be triggers for migraine attacks. It is thought that triggers may cause the blood vessels in the brain to dilate, leading to a migraine.

Q: Should I consider treatment for my migraines?
An untreated or unsuccessfully treated migraine attack may last a couple of hours to several days. Making matters worse, one migraine attack can often be followed closely by another; migraine typically occurs 2 to 8 times per month.   The degree of pain and how often your attacks occur, however, may vary.  The goals of treatment are to relieve your pain and help you return to your normal activities.  There are a variety of migraine-specific and non-specific treatments currently available which make these goals achievable.

Q: What should I take for my migraine?
People respond to a variety of medications, and the choice is individual. You should be aware that overuse of certain drugs can actually lead to medication-induced and eventually chronic daily headaches. It is important that you treat your migraine as prescribed by your physician to avoid the possibility of “medication rebound” headaches.