Migraines can be intense and debilitating. Their symptoms range from throbbing pain on one side of the head, light and sound sensitivity, nausea and even loss of vision.
Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen may provide temporary relief, while triptans such as eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan and zolmitriptan may be more effective solutions.
Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers
Whatever ails you – strains in muscles or bones, headaches, period cramps or arthritis pain – there are over-the-counter pain relievers at your local drugstore to provide instantaneous relief. Two general categories exist – nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, naproxen sodium and aspirin as well as acetaminophen – so check them all out first before making your selections.
These medicines work by relieving pain and fever. Some products also contain caffeine to alleviate headaches. When taking these products, be sure to follow all directions on the package and do not exceed recommended dosage as taking too much can be dangerous.
Over-the-Counter Medication
Many individuals who experience migraines have turned to over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications as an attempt to manage their symptoms. If taken too often, OTC pain medicines can lead to medication overuse headaches; to ensure maximum effectiveness it’s important that you adhere to your medicine bottle’s recommended maximum daily dosages.
NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) and paracetamol (acetaminophen) may help with symptoms, though be wary as too much acetaminophen can damage liver tissue. Other options available OTC include the CGRP monoclonal antibodies erenumab (Aimovig), fremanezumab (Ajovy), galcanezumab (Emgality) and rimegepant (Nurtec ODT). These can be given monthly or quarterly through injection.
Caffeine
Caffeine has long been used as an effective remedy for migraines. At first, its effectiveness was thought to be linked to its vasoconstriction effects – however it now known that caffeine acts as an effective anti-migraine agent by blocking activity of Adenosine receptors and suppressing activation of pain transmission via trigeminal nerve.
Caffeine is commonly added to migraine medications to increase their effectiveness, yet long-term consumption of caffeine can cause medication-overuse headaches, also known as rebound headaches.
At the first sign of headache, water or non-caffeinated beverages should be your go-to beverage, while electrolytes may help prevent dehydration, another common trigger of migraines.
Relaxation Techniques
Migraines frequently cause muscle tension, so relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercises and biofeedback therapy may provide significant relief.
PMR (progressive muscle relaxation) can provide great assistance. Originally intended to treat anxiety and stress, this exercise involves physically tightening and then relaxing muscle groups throughout your body – with practice you’ll learn the difference between tense and relaxed muscles.
Maintaining a headache diary can also be useful in identifying triggers for migraine attacks and can encourage healthier lifestyle choices.
Avoiding Foods That Trigger Migraines
Many migraine sufferers have found that certain foods, including cheese and chocolate, can trigger their attacks. These foods contain chemicals which may act as triggers for their headaches in some people – for instance tyramine found in aged cheeses and beta-phenylethylamine found in chocolate; other options might include additives and preservatives like monosodium glutamate (MSG), nitrates/nitrites found in processed meat products such as bacon/ham, or even sulfites which could act similarly as headache triggers for some people.
If you suspect that certain food, beverages, or additives are the source of your migraine headaches, keep a headache diary and track what and when triggers occur. Avoiding suspected triggers may reduce their frequency; however it won’t stop them completely.
Getting Plenty of Sleep
Studies show that insufficient sleep can increase your susceptibility to migraines. Furthermore, lack of restful restful can reduce pain tolerance when an attack strikes.
Make time for at least seven to eight hours of sleep every night and stick to a regular sleep schedule, including when to go to bed and when to wake up.
Exercise regularly to reduce migraines, but be careful that any exercise activity doesn’t raise your heart rate too quickly; vigorous physical activity may trigger migraines for some individuals.
Massage therapy has been found to significantly ease headache pain, particularly if used at the early signs or during a migraine attack.
