Understanding Extreme Headaches & Migraine Triggers | Mayo Clinic

Extreme headaches, or migraines, are a type of chronic head pain that can cause difficulty in daily life. Migraines may be caused by a number of different factors.

Cause

• According to Mayo Clinic, the exact cause for migraine headaches is unknown. Some theories that suggest environmental factors, hormonal changes and stress.

Risk Factors

• Although there is no exact known cause for migraines, certain triggers may bring on a migraine. These include menstruation, certain foods, stress, changes in weather, certain medications and bright lights.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of a migraine include severe head pain, sensitivity to light and sound, headaches lasting more than 72 hours, seeing auras and thirst.

Treatments

• Treatment options focus on relieving the symptoms. Some medications may help prevent the migraines from occurring, such as beta blockers or anti-seizure drugs. Doctors often prescribe pain medication for migraines.

Prevention

• By avoiding triggers that can cause migraines, some people might be able to prevent them. Taking pain medication at the first sign of a migraine may lessen the severity.