For millions of Americans, migraines are a fact of life. These severe headaches often come on without any warning, interfering with work, leisure and nighttime routines.

"Many people who repeatedly experience severe, disabling headaches for a long time never seek treatment because they think nothing can be done about it," says Anthony P. Knox, MD, neurologist on staff at Saint Francis Medical Center. "Furthermore, migraines are often misdiagnosed as sinus headaches, and recommended treatments do not provide relief. The reality is we have very effective treatments for migraines when properly diagnosed."

The most common symptom of a migraine is an intense pulsing or throbbing pain in one area of the head, often accompanied by extreme sensitivity to light and sound. A migraine may also cause nausea, vomiting, stuffy nose, lightheadedness and a tender scalp. Meanwhile, sinus headaches usually affect areas of the face and may be accompanied by traditional cold symptoms, such as fever, runny nose or congestion. Because symptoms for migraines and sinus-related pain can overlap, the best way to determine the true cause of persistent headaches is to see your doctor.

Migraines can be triggered by a variety of things, including specific foods, perfume, changes in sleep patterns, exposure to bright lights or loud noises, hormonal irregularities in women, variations in weather or altitude, missing meals or fasting, intense physical activity, stress or exhaustion. Many migraine sufferers are familiar with such triggers and should share this information (along with any other symptoms) with their doctors for an accurate diagnosis.

While over-the-counter and prescription medications are often prescribed to relieve migraine pain, daily medications are also available to prevent migraines from developing in the first place. "The most promising of these prevention drugs are triptans, which have already proven to be highly effective for relieving migraine pain and restoring function," notes Knox. "Of course, avoiding migraine triggers and implementing stress management strategies – such as exercise, relaxation and other therapies – to help limit discomfort also have a place in migraine treatment and prevention."

From Weekly Health Page: July 30, 2006