Migraines can be debilitating, yet there are ways to manage them so you can focus on doing what matters to you most.
Your healthcare provider can assist in the identification of triggers. They may ask that you keep a migraine diary or suggest over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen and naproxen with or without caffeine as options.
Medications
Preventive medication can help decrease how frequently migraines strike, while others provide relief during an attack. A headache diary may help identify triggers and enable your physician to recommend the best course of treatment for you.
Pain relievers such as aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) may provide temporary relief. But be wary; overuse could cause rebound headaches and digestive distress.
Your doctor may suggest gepants – which include Ubrelvy and Nurtec ODT) – as a means of treating migraine pain. These pills work by interfering with CGRP release, an essential protein involved with migraine symptoms.
Antiseizure medications such as valproate (Depakote, Topamax) and topiramate (Flector, Topira) may help prevent migraines by helping treat pain effectively; other prescriptions that help include the NSAIDs meloxicam, naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib (Celebrex), onabotulinumtoxin A (Botox) injections as well as the ergotamines (Cafergot, Migergot).
Lifestyle changes
Lifestyle changes may help prevent or reduce migraine pain for many individuals. Exercise, eating regular meals and maintaining a regular sleeping pattern are proven effective methods of alleviating migraine attacks, while avoiding triggers like alcohol, caffeine and food additives may further lessen their severity.
Migraines are a type of headache which cause moderate to severe discomfort, typically manifested as throbbing or pounding pain in one area of the head. Other symptoms can include light and sound sensitivity, nausea or vomiting and visual disturbances; often caused by changes in blood flow to the brain.
Experts used to believe that migraines started when blood vessels in the brain swelled; now most professionals believe this may only be part of what causes one. Overactive nerve cells send out signals causing levels of two chemicals in your body (CGRP and serotonin) to change, leading to inflammation and blood vessel expansion that causes pain.
Stress management
Stress management is an integral component of treating chronic migraines. Stress can wreak havoc with our bodies, leading to numerous symptoms – migraines included! To combat it effectively requires being more present with yourself in the moment and being aware of how you’re feeling instead of dwelling on what lies ahead or dwelling on past memories. Furthermore, it is vital that we recognize and monitor situations which cause us stress so we can alter how we respond in each instance.
Studies show that restricting caffeine intake can help prevent migraines and other health issues. Meditation, exercise and breathing techniques are all great natural ways to alleviate stress; find one that best works for you! Stress management can lead to happier, healthier lives while enhancing overall quality of life – possibly even decreasing migraine frequency!
Acupuncture
Migraine pain can be debilitating and challenging to live with day to day, yet there are numerous treatments that may provide relief. Your healthcare provider will know which ones work best for you.
As an adjunct to traditional migraine medicines, acupuncture may also prove helpful in alleviating headache pain. Acupuncture involves inserting needles at specific points on the skin in order to relieve migraine discomfort.
Another natural treatment option involves making changes to one’s diet to limit triggers. Some individuals find that avoiding foods or drinks that may aggravate migraine symptoms helps prevent attacks; for others, consuming enough protein and magnesium can reduce symptoms.
Regular exercise can also help relieve tension and lessen migraine episodes, but make sure to warm up gradually, avoiding sudden, intense workouts. Sleep is equally essential and maintaining a healthy weight can only benefit.
