Hi everyone – Barnaby here again.

I wanted to thank everyone again for all the suggestions and advice sent in to me by CantSleep’s readers. One reader recently pointed out that migraine headaches can often be the cause of insomnia. I do occasionally get headaches, so this prompted me to research what constitutes migraine headaches symptoms. The following are the most salient migraines headaches symptoms:

– Moderate to severe pain effecting either one or both sides of the head
– Head pain which increases with physical exertion
– Nausea which accompanies head pain
– Head pain of a throbbing nature
– Strong sensitivity to light and/or sound

There can actually be migraine headaches symptoms which occur prior to the onset of a migraine headache. These precursors to a migraine are termed “aura’s”, and they can include:

– A craving for candy or other sweets
– Drowsiness
– Insatiable thirst
– Feelings of depression

After perusing these migraine headaches symptoms and auras, I determined that I was not suffering from migraines. However, some of you might have insomnia which results from migraine headaches, and in order to ascertain this it is necessary to be fluent with the above list of migraine headaches symptoms. Seeing that migraines weren’t the cause of my insomnia, my quest for the cause — and cure — for my chronic insomnia. Hopefully this will come soon.

They can range from a minor annoyance all the way to a head-pounding migraine, and headaches can be experienced infrequently or, alternatively, on a daily basis. The one thing in common with all who suffer from any form of this malady is that they are constantly seeking more rapid and reliable headache cures. Surprisingly, some headache cures are quite simple. Many experts believe that one of the easiest headache cures is to drink iced coffee. This addresses two avenues of headache relief — caffeine and coldness. The chill of the drink serves as a vasoconstrictor — meaning that the throbbing vessels in your brain will constrict thus limiting the pain. Furthermore, caffeine has been shown to be among the lesser known headache cures — especially for those who have high intakes of caffeine on a daily basis. Should those people not get their requisite coffee fixes, then a headache may ensue — thus making caffeine one possibility within the arena of headache cures.

Among other easy headache cures are to remove items which may be constricting the blood flow to your brain. This can include sunglasses, ponytail holders, goggles or headbands. This is easily done and often accomplishes what other headache cures can’t. Applying an ice pack to the back of your neck can also be a quick cure for a pounding headache — this is especially salient within the realm of migraine headaches. Dehydration often proves to be the culprit behind many headaches, and another easy option within headache cures is to simply drink water thus becoming more hydrated.

Although headaches often interfere with the ability to get a full night’s sleep, one possible cure for a headache is to lie down in a dark and quiet room. Many who suffer from migraine headaches see their symptoms exacerbated by bright or flashing lights and loud noise. Removing yourself to a quiet space can prove to be the best of migraine headache cures. Thousands of years of use has also shown that meditation and Yoga can be among the most efficient headache cures — especially for tension headaches which account for the vast majority of those that occur.

Some who suffer from headaches swear by aromatherapy. This involves stimulating your senses with given aromas, most often ones like peppermint oil. Dabbing a few drops on your temples and behind your neck can prove to be among the best smelling headache cures. When all else fails, medication is always a stand-by solution for headaches. This can range from over-the-counter drugs like aspirin all the way to prescription medications for the worst and most chronic episodes. Pharmaceuticals are among the least desirable headache cures, but in some instances there is no good alternative.

The human brain largely still remains a mystery to science, and common brain-related maladies such as migraine headaches are not fully understood. However, research has pinpointed several suspected causes of migraine headaches, and they include both environmental and genetic triggers. Scientists currently believe that migraine headaches emanate from changes in the trigeminal nerve which serves as a major pathway to the brain. It is believed that these changes are tied to a drop in the seratonin level — seratonin being the chemical which regulates the nervous system’s pain indicators. Research has shown that a variety of conditions or events can start this process in motion reducing seratonin thus impacting the trigeminal nerve resulting in a migraine headache. These headaches can entail severe pain, loss of sleep and consequent poor work performance along with dysfunction within your personal life.

Changes in hormone levels have been shown to be one of the causes of migraine headaches. Hormonal changes are almost always associated with females, and they can ensue during menstrual periods, pregnancy or menopause. In some instances, oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy can serve to exacerbate migraine headaches. For some, foods and/or beverages can be the root causes of migraine headaches. Alcoholic beverages, especially red wine, have been correlated to the onset of migraines. Foods which have been shown to be causes of migraine headaches include cheeses (especially aged ones), caffeine, aspartame and chocolate. A major offender when it comes to foods associated with migraines is monosodium glutamate (MSG) which is commonly found in many Chinese restaurant dishes.

Certain outside stimulus are listed within the causes of migraine headaches. These can be sensory stimuli such as bright or flashing lights. Loud or cacophonous noise can also trigger a migraine — as many sufferers are well aware. Mental stimulus including stress and anxiety are also proven causes of migraine headaches. Weather changes can also entail both sensory and physical stimuli capable of causing a migraine. Intense physical exertion can also trigger a migraine — this includes exertion within the realm of sexual activity. In many instances, a combination of these causes of migraine headaches team up in order to create the perfect storm triggering the most painful of episodes.

Everyone’s physiological and environmental circumstances are unique, and it often devolves to the individual to notice which stimuli result in their migraine headaches. It is imperative to immediately take notice of migraine headaches symptoms and seek to identify which food and/or outside stimuli most immediately preceded it. This can help you narrow down your personal causes of migraine headaches and adapt your habits to help prevent or minimize their frequency and intensity.