Migraine headaches are a particularly crippling illness affecting around 13% of the population. It is estimated that up to 70% of women between the ages of 15 and 60 suffer from migraine while it is typically lower in men, around 30% within the 17 to 50 age group.

A typical migraine consists of a throbbing or pulsating pain usually confined to one side of the head. These headaches can last anywhere from 4 to 72 hours and are usually accompanied  by other symptoms including nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound and certain smells. During the course of a migraine the pain increases on a gradual basis, reaches a peak and then gradually susbsides. These headaches  accompanied by the various symptoms can at times severely disrupt a persons life from a work and social point of view. Depending on the intensity and duration of the migraine a person can find themselves having to lay in bed in a darkened room for hours or even days until the symptoms subside. This can lead to a very poor standard of living for the more extreme sufferers. Often after a particularly intense attack a person can be left feeling tired and weak for days afterwards.

The causes of migraine are still very much a mystery. It is thought that the throbbing pain is caused by the inflammation of blood vessels and nerves around the head brought about by reactions within the central nervous system. Certain triggers  cause these reactions such as diet and stress and it is also thought that there is a hereditary factor to this as well as migraine headaches seem to run in famillies. The hereditary factor involves an increased sensitivity to certain triggers such as food and smells. There are numerous treatments available for migraine headaches including both prescription medicines and natural remedies. One of the biggest issues when treating these headaches is that the symptoms vary so much from one person to the next and while one particular treatment will work extremely well for one person it may do nothing for the next person.

Prevention is by far the best option, if you know what your triggers are and avoid them. Treatment at the onset of an attack is also vital. Natural remedies are a great way to go as they are usually harmless and also can cost significantly less than prescription or over the counter drugs. Rest, particularly in a quiet and darkened room after a warm bath or shower is a great way to relieve tension. Massaging the neck muscles and temporal region are also very good. Placing something cold on the back of the neck at the base of the skull is also great for pain relief. Going down the natural route can bring huge relief from the symptoms which in some instances can last so much longer. There have been cases where methods such as acupuncture brought about  relief for months and even years and in exceptional circumstances the headaches stopped completely.

There are many natural treatments out there and are well worth exploring, many people have found huge relief and gone on to live very happy and pain free lives by doing this, these remedies are also considered to be extremely safe and effective. If you suffer frequently from migraine headaches it may be beneficial to try out some of these methods or seek out others yourself. It is also best to consult with your doctor before attempting to diagnose a health issue yourself.