A migraine is a severe type of disorder that is characterized by one sided throbbing pain. These types of headaches are often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, and sound. A migraine can be debilitating and cause troubles for a few hours or even a day or more, but fortunately, there are treatments options to help prevent and treat a migraine.
Avoid migraine triggers
Knowing what triggers your migraine and avoiding those triggers can help you prevent and treat migraine headaches. Develop a habit of making a symptom diary; this can help you find out what triggers your migraine. Common migraine triggers include:
- Lack of sleep
- Certain odors such as perfumes
- Stress
- Bright lights
- Certain foods such as coffee, tea, nuts, yogurt, brown vinegar, aged cheese, chicken livers, onions, and many others
- Changes in the weather
- Alcoholic beverages
- Loud noises
- Certain medications
- Hormone fluctuations
- Missing a meal
- Overuse of pain relieve medications
Medicines for migraine treatment
There are several medicines available in the market that can be taken to help relieve migraine symptoms. Depending on your condition, your health care specialist will prescribe the most suitable migraine treatment medications to you. The medicine is effective and works best when it is taken as soon as migraine symptoms are noticed.
Pain relieving medications- Most over the counter medicines available for relieving headaches are only helpful in treating mild to moderate conditions. They are useful for severe migraine pain.
For mild migraine headaches, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin or ibuprofen are a good option. If taken on the right time that is at the onset of symptoms, aspirin can work effectively even for severe migraines. Aspirin is not suitable for children younger than 16 years of age. Another NSAID paracetamol is also useful in relieving migraine pain in some people.
Triptans- It is not possible that a migraine medicine works for all people and those who do not respond to over the counter pain reliever drugs may require a medicine that is particularly formulated for migraine headaches. Such medicines are called triptans. Your health care specialist may prescribe this medication to treat your migraine. The class of medicines includes:
- Naratriptan
- Zolmitriptan
- Rizatriptan
- Eletriptan
- Sumatriptan
These migraine medications are available in the form of tablets, nasal sprays, and self-injections devices that are effective in a migraine which is accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
These medications cause side effects which may include side effects such as dizziness, warm sensations, pins, and needles. Triptan is not suitable for people with coronary artery diseases (CAD), blood vessel disease, and uncontrolled blood pressure. It is also necessary to avoid certain other medications including complementary medications during the treatment with triptans.
Anti-nausea medications- Nausea and vomiting are often associated with migraines and may prevent absorption or migraine medications. A health care specialist may recommend an anti-nausea medication in combination with other medications as they are an excellent option to relieve migraine pain accompanied with nausea and vomiting. Examples of these medicines include metoclopramide, prochlorperazine, and domperidone.
Preventive medicines for migraine headaches
People who experience severe or frequent migraine attacks like more than two to three times a month may benefit from preventive migraine medications. These may include:
- Pizotifen
- Verapamil
- Topiramate
- Amitriptyline
- Sodium valproate
- Propranolol
These preventive medications are commonly prescribed to treat other health issues like hypertension, seizures, and depression, but the call is given to prevent migraines. These medications are meant to be taken every day.
Botulinum toxin type A (Botox) is also available for people with chronic migraine headaches. Botox is injected into specific head and muscle areas to prevent migraine pain. Injections must be repeated after a period of twelve weeks.
The preventive migraine medicines are not suitable for everyone and cause harmful effects. Medicines are best given at the first symptom of a migraine.
Marie
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