Migraine headaches can very easily cause a person to lose daily function and enjoyment of life. Preventing and treating migraine headaches, however, is certainly possible with the right combination of medicine and therapy. The exact causes of migraine headaches remain unknown to the medical community, but it is usually accepted that serotonin plays a large role in migraine. Low serotonin levels are usually accompanied by a migraine headache.

A migraine headache can oftentimes be accompanied by an "aura." An aura occurs when a classic migraine headache begins to develop. In a classic migraine attack, the patient may note changes in vision and mood. Tenderness in the scalp is usually a sign of a developing migraine episode. Alterations in mood can also occur, such as depression or irritability. These subtle symptoms can manifest as early as a day before the episode. The following migraine headaches are typically fairly intense, but do not last very long. 

Common migraine headaches are a more prolonged variation of the problem, and can last for long periods of time. This can be seriously debilitating, and can make daily functioning difficult. Fortunately, many medications exist to alleviate migraine pain. Sleep and plenty of fluids are very important in helping to prevent the onset of migraine headaches. During an attack, go to a quiet and dimly lit area. Use a cold compress to reduce the tension, and massage the scalp with a fair amount of pressure. Emotional and physical stress are known to play a role in migraine development.

Some foods are also believed to play a significant role in migraine development.
Physicians recommend, for example, that sufferers consider avoiding red wine altogether. Canned and processed meat can also attribute to migraine episodes. Causes of migraine headaches can also include excess amounts of caffeine, aged cheese, or cultured dairy products. Chronic migraine episodes are reason to see a doctor or specialist about the potential causes.