Migraines can be agonizing headaches that last days and make life hard, making them challenging to live with. Migraine diaries may help identify triggers.
Avoid foods known to trigger migraines, such as aged cheese, chocolate and caffeine. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking regular glasses of water throughout the day and engaging in massage therapy as a form of stress relief and muscle relaxation, both of which could potentially be migraine triggers.
Over-the-counter pain relievers
Over-the-counter pain medications offer many migraine sufferers relief. Common choices such as aspirin and ibuprofen work by blocking prostaglandins which increase pain, inflammation, and blood vessel dilation in the brain. Some pain medicines also contain caffeine to ease sensitivity to lights and sounds during an attack; Excedrin Migraine medication contains caffeine as well. Long-term use can result in medication overuse headaches, stomach ulcers, and gastrointestinal bleeding; thus being considered first line treatments of migraines.
If OTC pain relievers do not work, a doctor can provide other medications to treat migraines, such as triptans. Triptans aim at targeting the source of migraine pain while simultaneously relieving other symptoms like nausea and light/sound sensitivity.
Also available are newer CGRP monoclonal antibodies injected every month or three months to help prevent episodic migraine headaches, including Vyepti, Fremanezumab Ajovy and Erenumab (Aimovig). Furthermore, there have been supplements which have shown to lessen migraine attacks such as Riboflavin CoQ10 and Magnesium.
Trigger-specific medications
Migraines involve multiple mechanisms, including activation of neurons that translate pain signals in your brain and spinal cord, disruption to blood flow, and inflammation. Prescription medicines that can provide relief include triptans (sumatriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan and naratriptan) as well as anti-seizure drugs like topiramate (Topamax).
A migraine diary is one way of identifying triggers. Avoiding processed lunch meats that contain nitrates, dried fruits with added sulfites and monosodium glutamate content, aged cheese, chocolate and caffeine could all be potential attack triggers; however, every person’s migraine brain differs and simply eliminating one food may not prevent attacks in everyone.
Aerobic exercise such as walking and swimming may also help relieve headaches. Be sure to ease into physical activity gradually; sudden, vigorous physical activity can aggravate or cause headaches. Also try not to oversleep or forgo meals too often – both can contribute to migraine.
Lifestyle changes
Migraine is a brain and nervous system disorder, typically manifesting as intense headaches on one side of the head. Additionally, migraines can also cause light sensitivity, sound sensitivity and even nausea and vomiting – typically lasting from 72-96 hours in duration.
Lifestyle changes may help prevent or lessen migraine attacks by eating healthily and engaging in regular physical activity – eating balanced meals and getting regular physical activity are key, along with managing stress effectively. Exercise releases endorphins which act as natural analgesics for pain relief while increasing blood flow to the brain which reduces pain signals.
Sleeping on a regular schedule and eating meals consistently are also helpful steps in maintaining good health. Be sure to maintain this pattern even on weekends and holidays; aim for seven or more hours of restful slumber each night.
Emergency treatment
Migraines can be very painful, but they don’t always require emergency room treatment. If the pain becomes overwhelming at home, make an appointment with a headache specialist instead of going straight to an ER.
As emergency room doctors are not experts on migraines, you will probably have to describe your symptoms carefully in detail before receiving medication such as IV fluid and Toradol or Compazine to relieve your pain and prevent future attacks.
Abortive medications, which work to stop migraine attacks once they have begun, are the most effective treatments for acute migraine attacks. They come in tablet, capsule, skin patch, and nasal spray forms for convenience.
Migraine patients who seek emergency room attention for severe attacks tend to be more symptomatic, resistant to home rescue medication and experience attacks that last longer. Furthermore, these individuals are likely more affluent with access to care for their condition – making them an attractive target for people looking to abuse prescription and over-the-counter pain relievers.
