Migraines are characterized by frequent attacks of moderate to severe pain on one side of the head. Other symptoms may include light sensitivity (photophobia), sound sensitivity or smell sensitivity (phonophobia and nausea) and vomiting during an attack.
There are various effective migraine treatments, some available over-the-counter and others requiring a valid valid valid valid prescription.
1. Avoid triggers
Identification and avoidance of migraine triggers can help people avoid migraine headaches. Migraine triggers vary from person to person; some more common than others may exist.
Many migraine sufferers can be affected by smells like smoke and perfume, certain foods and certain medications; it’s wise for migraineurs to consult their physician about any medicines they’re taking that could potentially aggravate symptoms.
Stress can be one of the primary triggers for migraines. Exercise, eating healthily and drinking enough water may all help alleviate it.
Keep a migraine journal to discover what triggers your headaches. Record the date, time and symptoms associated with each attack (throbbing or pounding pain, for instance). An app on your phone may also help keep track of these details.
2. Get plenty of sleep
Migraines and their symptoms are frequently made worse by sleep issues, so improving your quality could reduce headache frequency and severity.
Migraine medication includes acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, triptans, dihydroergotamines, combination analgesics and ergot alkaloids; their effectiveness depends on individual predisposing factors and triggers. When selecting therapy options based on predisposing factors and individual patient responses.
Regular exercise can help lower stress levels, which is one of the main triggers of migraine attacks. Plus, exercise also improves overall health and sleep quality.
An effective sleep routine includes maintaining a consistent bedtime and wake time – even on weekends – as well as foregoing daytime naps that might disrupt your ability to fall asleep at night. If possible, avoid taking daytime naps that could interfere with falling asleep later at night.
If migraine attacks are becoming frequent, consider preventive treatment with medications that can block or lessen their onset. Studies have proven oral calcitonin gene-related peptide antagonists ubrogepant (Ubrelvy) and rimegepant (Nurtec ODT) more effective than placebo when it comes to migraine prevention trials. lasmiditan (Reyvow) also has been proven more successful.
3. Stay hydrated
Hydration is essential to overall health, but especially important for migraine sufferers as headache pain can cause dehydration which exacerbates symptoms.
Studies demonstrate the benefits of drinking water can improve quality of life for those suffering from chronic migraines. Drinking the recommended daily amount can decrease frequency and severity of headaches.
Migraine sufferers should drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily. Refilling electrolytes – such as sodium and potassium – by sipping low-sugar sports drinks, coconut water or herbal tea can also provide relief.
Triptans, taken as pills, shots or nasal sprays, work by blocking pain pathways in the brain to relieve migraine symptoms. For optimal effectiveness these should be taken soon after symptoms emerge and not recommended for those at risk of coronary artery disease or high blood pressure. Calcium channel blockers like Diltiazem (Cardizem, Cartia or Tiazac) can ease narrowing of blood vessels during an attack.
4. Relax
Relaxation techniques can help relieve the tension that leads to migraine attacks. One easy method for doing so involves lying down and breathing deeply from your diaphragm; focus on inhaling and exhaling for 10 minutes each day until your breathing returns back into a natural pattern. Intentionally relax each muscle group one at a time during this exercise for maximum effects.
Some migraine sufferers turn to acupuncture or cognitive behavioral therapy as an aid for relieving headache pain, and clinical trials have demonstrated its efficacy for many sufferers of migraine. Yoga and meditation may also help alleviate stress which could be triggering migraine attacks.
Migraine medications can provide invaluable help when they become necessary, making treatment simpler than ever when an attack strikes. Options may include painkillers such as acetaminophen, NSAIDs or triptans; antiemetics; or the new oral tablet lasmiditan; all can reduce migraine pain effectively while having a sedating effect that may cause dizziness.
