A migraine is not a regular headache. A migraine is usually very harsh, with pain on only one side of the head. It is often accompanied by intense sensitivity to light and nausea and vomiting. Migraines are a persistent condition. Some people may have one several times a month, while a few may only have one or two a year.

How do you know a migraine headache? How unlike is a migraine headache from a regular headache such as a tension headache or a sinus headache?

Scientists believe that the reason of a migraine involves a complex mix of chemical changes in the brain with various nerve pathways. They are still not sure what the precise chain of events are that cause a migraine, but think that it can be triggered by such things as stress, environmental factors, or certain foods.

When a migraine attack happens, the temporal artery, the artery outside the skull just below the skin of the temple, enlarges. This enlargement stretches the nerves that spiral around the artery, releasing chemicals that cause ache and inflammation. The artery continues to increase during the period of the headache, thereby intensifying the pain.

One consistent migraine headache sign is the moderate to severe pain experienced. The ache can be all on one side or both sides of the head. Only the ache from cluster headaches or a meningitis headache is worse. The ache is not static, which would be easier to ignore, but is throbbing or pulsating.

Others will take medicine developed especially for migraine headaches. It is significant to note, that if you suffer from migraines and haven’t been to the doctor for cure of them lately, it may be a good idea to see your doctor. There are many new medications available for migraines now that weren’t available ten years ago.

Triptans do have side effects with heart attacks, strokes, drowsiness, fatigue, tingling of the skin, facial flushing and dizziness. The possibility of such severe side effects such as heart attack or strokes is caused by the narrowing of the arteries that the triptan induces, also narrowing the arteries in the heart which could add to the risk of heart attack.