Chocolate, candlelight, red wine, perfume. . .all of these are big Valentines Day gifts, but they are also all possible triggers for migraines. And Valentines Day is not the time to say "Not tonight dear, I have a headache."

Migraine is much more than just a headache.  It's a chronic and recurrent throbbing pain on one side of the head, with or without other symptoms like sensitivity to light or sound, visual changes, and nausea or vomiting.  Migraines are 6 times more common in women than in men.  One out of 4 women with migraine will get them monthly along with her period. In addition to stress, other migraine triggers include skipping meals, bright lights, red wine, aged cheese, birth control pills, and lack of sleep. 

The good news about migraine is that it is treatable with prescription and over-the-counter medicines.  If a migraine is treated early, there is a better chance it will end sooner.  If you are not getting effective relief, see your doctor.

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Created: 2/13/2001  -  Donnica Moore, M.D.