It is one of the most unbearable conditions that you can be cursed with. The pain usually interferes with so many areas of your life- at work, home and outside. And there is usually very little that can be done short of dosing yourself with painkillers. Migraines affect so many people all over the world and so little is know about why it occurs. What really is a migraine? It is a very severe headache which is very often accompanied by nausea, dizziness and sometimes even a blurring of vision. The pain and discomfort could last from an hour to a few days. Some sufferers cannot even open their eyes because of the pain and the distress that even light causes.

Why do migraines occur? They seem to strike anyone - children and adults. Most migraines come on very suddenly. Maybe it's stress, maybe certain foods or maybe even hormonal imbalance. The sad part is that very often it runs in families. In fact, there are instances when many in one family suffer at the same time. It could be that they are reacting badly to something in the environment or to some food they all ate. It's a tough problem to handle but here are a few tips that could alleviate the suffering.

The first and basic step is to keep your doctor in the loop. Tell him about your problem, tell him the symptoms. He will probably give you the various options available as far as treatment goes. He might even send you to a specialist who is experienced in handling migraine cases, and there are quite a few of them today. If your migraine is interfering with your work, your studies or your family life, you need an expert opinion.

If a migraine strikes you suddenly and you need quick relief, make sure you have over the counter pain killers with you. Even if you can't get in touch with a doctor, this stands you in good stead and makes sure the pain does not get worse. You could buy ibuprofen or aspirin, either one will help. These are easy to get and inexpensive. Make sure you always have some on you. Or you could try the ones manufactured especially for migraines. These are a little stronger in their action and are good if you have a bad attack. Just remember that many of them cause damage to the stomach and the liver so make sure you follow the right dosage. Also remember they will only provide relief, not cure. If it is really unbearable, your doctor will probably prescribe beta blockers. This may be necessary for sufferers whose lives come to a grinding halt with a migraine. It is always better to take the medication than to needlessly suffer.

If you can, try and rest in a dark room in silence. Rest and relaxation very often eases the throbbing as does the dark. If you can try and fall asleep you'll find a big difference when you wake up. Most may not have the luxury of a break like this but if you do, it goes a long way to alleviating the pain.