Have you ever had an 800 pound gorilla seating on your head well that is the way most people feel when they have a migraine. It is estimated that 18% of women and 6% of men suffer from migraines in the U.S., with people age 25-55 being most affected.

Statistics suggest that dealing with migraines can be confusing and frustrating.

Migraine a term that is misdiagnosed (as tension or sinus headache) as frequently as it is correctly diagnosed.

Only half of all Americans who may be appropriate candidates to receive preventative migraine therapy actually do. About half the individuals who have migraine attacks stop seeking care for their headaches.

Similar symptoms of migraines:

1. Migraine headaches : A neurological syndrome characterized by altered bodily perceptions, severe headaches, and nausea. Physiologically, the migraine headache is a neurological condition more common to women than to men.
2. Tension headache : The most common type of primary headaches. The pain can radiate from the neck, back, eyes, or other muscle groups in the body.
3. Stress : Cause mental or emotional strain or tension in every part of the body.
4. Cluster headache : A type of severe headache that tends to recur over a period of several weeks and in which the pain is usually limited to one side of the head.
5. Sensitivity to light : A symptom of excessive sensitivity to light and the aversion to sunlight or well-lit places. In ordinary medical terms photophobia is not a morbid fear, but an experience of discomfort or pain to the eyes due to light exposure.

It is crucial that you take some form of medication when you feel the slightest migraine coming on. This could simply be a slight pain in your temple that comes and goes. I understand the fear everyone has today of taking too much meds but you know what, the pain you will feel later Is Not Worth It!

Once the migraine hits, no meds will really help you out. You just have to tough it out, but there are ways to get through it. Wet a hand towel with cold water and place it above your eyes. Lay there for about a half an hour, and you should feel some relief.

You should have someone rub your neck, and massage your pressure points such as your temples or the area between your thumb and index finger. Excedrin Migraine is a over the counter medication you can buy at CVS, Wal-Mart or your local grocery store that offers temporary relief.

Otherwise, make sure you are in a dark room with no lights or noise. It might seem impossible, but try to get some sleep. If I can suggest anything, it is to see your doctor and get some prescription meds for your occasional migraines. Migraines really affect our personal life and restrict most people from doing what they want to do, like living Life. Here is a list of the most widely used prescription meds for migraines.

When I researched this area, I found some lists overwhelming. There are over 100 different migraine headache medications available on prescription and in some cases they have different names in different countries.

These medications may not have passed through the most stringent clinical tests but they have been through randomized controlled clinical trials. No matter what you read or what you decide to take as your migraine treatment, Always Consult Your Doctor First. Having a Migraine is a serious medical condition and the medications used must not be taken lightly.