Migraines can be debilitating, yet many people endure them. Lifestyle changes such as cutting back on caffeine consumption and getting enough rest may help alleviate symptoms, while keeping a migraine diary or using an app to track headaches can assist in pinpointing triggers and finding relief.
Preventive medication may also prove useful; such as angiotensin II receptor blockers (e.g., Candesartan), antiseizure medications and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Over-the-Counter Medications
There are a range of over-the-counter migraine medications that may provide temporary relief during an attack. These medicines include triptans, dihydroergotamines (Migranal, Trudhesa), and antiemetics like Promethazine (Phenergan). Butterbur is another potential solution but be aware that its ingredients contain chemicals known as pyrrolizidine alkaloids which could damage livers, lungs, and circulation, so please seek medical advice prior to using it.
Overuse of pain relievers may lead to rebound headaches or dependency. Your neurologist may suggest over-the-counter medicines with aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen such as Excedrin Migraine that combine all three elements.
CT or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans can help detect medical problems that cause migraines, including brain tumors, infections, stroke, and bleeding in the brain. A neurologist will ask about your family history of headaches, current nonheadache medications, allergies, lifestyle and lifestyle factors – they might suggest keeping a migraine journal to identify similarities between migraine attacks and possible triggers – such as processed or cured meats; bright lights including sunlight; strong odors etc.
Botulinum Toxin Injections
Botox injections may help alleviate chronic migraine headaches for some individuals. [1] Botox works by inhibiting nerve cell releases of acetylcholine; this prevents pain signals from reaching nerve endings while also protecting against overexcitation of spinal, brainstem, thalamic, and cortical neurons involved in migraine pathophysiology.
As it’s essential that healthcare practitioners be familiar with the indications, contraindications, techniques, complications, and psychosocial ramifications of botulinum toxin treatment, it’s wise to select one who understands its indications, contraindications, techniques, complications and psychosocial implications before administering this injection. Physicians, dermatologists, plastic surgeons and otolaryngologists all are licensed healthcare practitioners able to inject botulinum toxin injections.
Doctors typically apply topical anesthetic before administering botulinum toxin injections. Once numb, providers reconstitute and inject botulinum toxin into muscle groups using an injection needle. Patients may feel pinching sensations during this procedure and redness or bruising at the injection site are common side effects; more serious reactions include eyelid drooping (ptosis) or difficulty swallowing/speaking that may last several months after treatment has started.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture, which involves inserting thin needles at strategic points on various parts of the body, has been found to be effective at treating migraine headaches. Studies indicate that it has reduced both their frequency and intensity significantly.
Migraine can be crippling. It interferes with your work, relationships and quality of life; and often doesn’t respond to home remedies; therefore it is vital that if you experience severe or frequent migraine symptoms that you seek medical assistance as soon as possible.
At your first appointment with your health care provider, he or she may ask about the pattern of your headaches – when and why they occur as well as what triggers them. They may suggest keeping a headache diary so you can record symptoms and pinpoint triggers.
Managed daily routines may also help decrease migraine onset. Try exercising regularly, cutting back on caffeine consumption and avoiding foods known to trigger migraines. Meditation and yoga may also provide some relief by relieving stress and soothing muscles.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Migraine is one of the leading causes of chronic, severe headaches. More likely to affect women than men, migraine can have serious implications for children and adults of all ages alike – often being disabling and an enormous strain for those affected by it.
Migraines are a type of headache characterized by symptoms including pain in one half of the head (hemicrania hemicraniae), visual symptoms (flashes of light or floaters, blind spots, moving or expanding zig-zag patterns), sensory aura symptoms including tingling in hands, arms or legs, weakness on one side of the body (migrainous corpalgia), and sensory aura symptoms including tingling, numbness or weakness on one side (migrainous corpalgia).
If migraines are keeping you away from work or school, or other commitments, it’s wise to visit a physician for evaluation and diagnosis. They will ask about symptoms and how they impact you; may order blood or imaging tests to make sure there is no other medical source; recommend lifestyle changes and medication as necessary to treat or prevent migraines; etc.
