Migraines can cause extreme discomfort that interfere with everyday activities. With effective treatments available today, however, migraines can often be prevented and pain relieved effectively if they do arise.
Preventive medicines like Amitriptyline (Elavil) and antidepressants may help lessen migraine attacks, while seizure drugs and blood pressure medicines may also be effective. You could also try acupuncture or biofeedback to manage migraine.
Botox
Although often used to treat wrinkles, this medication is also highly effective at treating migraines and other conditions such as muscle stiffness/spasm and excessive sweating (drooling). When used to treat headaches and other ailments, its chances of serious side effects are minimal.
Botox (onabotulinum toxin A) was approved by the FDA as the first preventive medication for chronic migraine sufferers who experience 15 or more headaches each month, 8 or more being migraines. Botox works by blocking nerve cells from sending pain signals directly to the brain while simultaneously decreasing release of inflammatory chemicals into the system.
There are other medications available to prevent migraines, including topiramate (Topamax or Qudexy XR) an antiseizure medication which also helps with nausea; divalproex sodium (Depakote), an anticonvulsant which reduces seizure frequency while possibly aiding migraines; and propranolol, a beta blocker commonly used for high blood pressure treatment as well as heart disease but which appears to decrease some forms of headaches.
Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antagonists
Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a 37 amino acid neuropeptide released by neurons in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. It acts as a powerful vasodilator, activating trigeminal nerve to cause intense headache pain sensation. Furthermore, CGRP has been implicated in migraine’s pathogenesis – an incapacitating condition characterized by photophobia, visual auras and hallucinations.
Recently, scientists have developed drugs to block the activity of CGRP receptors. These medications, known as CGRP antagonists or inhibitors, help reduce migraine symptoms while simultaneously acting as preventive therapies. Chronic migraine sufferers will find these treatments particularly helpful; combined with other preventive strategies.
Studies have demonstrated the efficacy of CGRP inhibitors for relieving migraine without aura symptoms and cutting medication use by reducing headache days and medication overuse headaches. They are well tolerated with no reported side effects compared to older preventive drugs and have minimal to no adverse reactions compared to their alternatives. Furthermore, they were tested in patients who overused medications and found to be more effective than alternative therapies in reducing episodes.
Headache specialists
Most individuals suffering from headache and migraine can be effectively treated by primary care providers or neurologists who specialize in nervous system disorders, including headaches. But for those experiencing frequent and severe attacks, consulting a headache specialist could prove beneficial.
These specialists can assist with diagnosing your type of headache and devising a comprehensive treatment plan to prevent further ones. Additionally, they may assist with treating acute symptoms like nausea and vomiting associated with migraine attacks.
As part of your preparations for an appointment with a headache specialist, it may help to keep a diary detailing symptoms and triggers for them. Bring along a comprehensive list of medications you take–over-the-counter as well as prescription–including doses; make sure this includes over-the-counter and prescription drugs plus vitamins/supplements–you could also share information regarding recent stressors as well as family medical histories that include headache. While only certified United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties (UCNS) doctors can legally call themselves headache specialists; other healthcare providers possessing in-depth knowledge regarding headache.
Lifestyle changes
Lifestyle habits play an integral part in managing migraine symptoms for patients. Aside from avoiding triggers, patients should also try to develop regular sleeping and eating patterns as well as stay hydrated – children and adolescents should spend one week tracking their daily water consumption in an attempt to reach recommended levels.
Migraine is a neurological condition that causes serious pain, nausea, vomiting, and light-sensitivity. Although no definitive cure exists yet for migraine, several treatment options exist to relieve its symptoms: pain-relieving medications taken during an attack to stop its worsening; preventive medicines taken regularly over time may help lower frequency and severity of attacks.
Physicians may suggest yoga, meditation or another activity which helps people relax. Relaxation techniques can also be effective at combatting stress – often an indirect trigger of migraines.
