Headaches Dictionary

migraine diet: Individualized diet that avoids food additives that can trigger migraine headaches, such as sulfites, nitrates, nitrites as a preservative, caffeine and monosodium glutamate (MSG).

migraine headache: A very intense and disabling vascular headache that results from a neurological disease of neuronal origin. The word "migraine" is from the Greek hemicrania, meaning pain that affects one side of the head.

migraine postdrome: Also called a migraine hangover, a post-headache phase in which sufferers may experience irritability, fatigue, poor concentration and mood swings.

migraine prodrome: Symptoms that precede the headache itself. Can include stiff neck, dizziness, appetite loss, diarrhea, constipation, frequent urination, fatigue, depression, irritability or feeling cold.

niacin (vitamin B3): A dietary supplement that makes blood rush to the skin's blood vessels, often helping to relieve migraine pain.

non-prescription analgesics: Over-the-counter drugs, including aspirin and acetaminophen, often used as a first option to treat migraine headaches.

non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): NSAIDs help relieve migraine pain and inflammation. For milder headaches, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and naproxen can be purchased over the counter.

NTI tension suppression system: An FDA-approved treatment for migraine prevention, the nocioceptive trigeminal inhibition (NTI) system is a small removable device that prevents jaw muscles from contracting during sleep.

ocular migraine: Headache in which spasms occur in the eyes' blood vessels instead of in the skull or brainstem. Usually lasts 15 to 20 minutes, during which the sufferer experiences lights in peripheral vision.