Migraines are a neurological disease. The most notable sign of a migraine is a throbbing pain on one side of the head. Typically, individuals who suffer from migraines also experience tiredness, numbness, trouble speaking, and vision loss, among other symptoms. Lights, sound, smells, and even certain physical activities can trigger migraines. Read on to learn more about migraine auras, common triggers of migraines, and the many ways you can tackle this disabling condition.

What is a migraine aura?
Migraines can cause a wide range of symptoms and affect an individual’s day-to-day life. A migraine aura is a group of symptoms that affect sensory, speech, and motor functions. A person is likely to experience an aura before a migraine headache. It is considered to be a warning sign to individuals. In some cases, individuals can experience auras during or after the migraine headache. Those who experience migraine auras for the first time think of it as a stroke or a seizure. Auras can last anywhere between 10 and 60 minutes.

What can trigger a migraine headache?
Most individuals have different reactions to different sounds, lights, or even foods and activities. But, experts have been able to narrow down a few common factors that are known to trigger a migraine, which include the following:

• Stress
  The brain releases certain chemicals to tackle the stressful situation at hand. These chemicals can trigger a migraine.
• Caffeine
  Individuals who drink caffeine and suddenly withdraw from it can experience migraines. This is because the blood vessels become sensitized to certain levels of caffeine in the body.
• Sensitivities
  Certain frozen and preserved foods contain nitrates, which can lead to migraines.
• Pain-relief medication
  Pain-relief medications used to relieve headaches can often lead to rebound headaches.

Hormonal changes
Hormonal changes during the reproductive cycle can also trigger migraines, usually due to a drop in estrogen. Migraines can also be a side effect of birth control medication and hormone replacement therapy.

Treating migraines
Migraines are a chronic condition and have no cure. Any available treatment is only used to help migraine patients tackle the various signs and symptoms. There are two main treatment approaches. Abortive treatment is done at the first sign of the headache. This will not eliminate the pain but instead, make the headaches mild. Abortive treatments can also reduce nausea and light sensitivity. On the other hand, preventative treatment reduces the number of headaches and the severity of the migraine attack. This mode of treatment is only prescribed to those who have more than four migraine attacks a month. This treatment needs to be done daily.

Home remedies for migraines
One can tackle migraines with the help of various over-the-counter and prescription treatments. But, overuse of these treatments can lead to rebound headaches or dependency. It is safer for those suffering from migraines to also adopt a few home remedies as part of their treatment plan to avoid this. Common home remedies for migraine help include the following:

Drinking water
Several studies show that migraines can be triggered by dehydration. Don’t forget to carry a water bottle with you everywhere you go. Getting dehydrated on a hot day or while engaging in any physical activity is easy.

Massages
There is limited evidence to prove that a massage can directly help with a migraine headache. Despite this, getting a massage is one of the more popular home remedies for migraine because massages can help the body relax and increase the release of serotonin in the brain. It also increases blood flow and helps tackle stress, a migraine trigger.

Yoga
Another popular home remedy for migraines is yoga because yoga implements tons of stress management techniques, including controlling your breathing and meditating. Yoga also allows you to relax and reduce muscle tension.

Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an old, traditional treatment that helps tackle migraines by applying pressure to specific points in the body. Studies have shown positive results in tackling symptoms such as nausea.

Biofeedback
Biofeedback makes use of certain equipment that is strapped to the head. The equipment constantly measures the level of physical tension in the body and sends alerts to control the stress in the body. This, of course, helps prevent the release of certain chemicals in the brain that could trigger a migraine. Biofeedback is not a life-long requirement. Your body will eventually learn to detect the levels of tension.