Migraines can have an enormously detrimental impact on life, preventing you from doing the things you enjoy and leading to missed opportunities. There are several effective treatments available to manage symptoms and ward off future attacks.
Some remedies include over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers; others are prescription drugs like Celecoxib (Celebrex, Elyxyb) for antiseizure medications and headache medications such as Erenumab (Aimovig, Fremanezumab or Galcanezumab). Nonmedical approaches include sleep schedules that eliminate screens at night as well as stress management techniques.
Acute Treatment
Migraine treatments include pain-relieving medication that are taken during an attack to control symptoms; this form of therapy is known as abortive therapy.
OTC drugs such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen and naproxen may help some individuals with mild-to-moderate headache symptoms find relief through over-the-counter (OTC) medication; however these may cause side effects including stomach upset.
Prescription drugs known as triptans that block pain pathways in the brain may be effective at treating severe migraine attacks. Available as pills, nasal sprays, or injections – triptans work quickly to stop migraine attacks in their tracks – however these medicines should not be taken by those with heart conditions or history of strokes.
Dihydroergotamine, an analgesic used to combat nausea and vomiting associated with migraines, comes as either a nasal spray or tablet form and should always be combined with painkiller to optimize effectiveness. Girls or women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take this medication.
Behavioral Treatment
When experiencing a migraine attack, try seeking refuge in a dark and quiet room and applying pressure to your head. Other ways may include drinking water or applying an ice pack wrapped in cloth on your face for relief. Also watch what foods trigger migraine attacks for you personally by keeping a food diary that can help identify potential triggers.
Neuromodulation, which uses electrical current to elevate or decrease activity of your nervous system, may provide relief for some individuals suffering migraine headaches. Neuromodulation requires a valid prescription and comes in various forms including headband (Cefaly), armband (gammaCore), or handheld electrodes.
Certain medications can help some individuals prevent migraines, including beta blockers that reduce stress hormone effects on blood vessels; calcium channel blockers which balance constriction and dilation of vessels; antidepressants which increase serotonin levels; anticonvulsants like valproate or topiramate; as well as monoclonal antibody injection VYEPTI(tm). VYEPTI may also assist adults in managing migraines.
Emergency Treatment
Computerized Tomography (CT) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanning may help rule out brain tumors, infections, brain swelling and other medical conditions that can contribute to headaches.
OTC pain medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen may provide some relief, while for more serious migraines your doctor may prescribe stronger pain relievers like narcotics.
Prescription medications called triptans are effective at quickly relieving headache symptoms by blocking pain pathways in the brain. Triptans come in pill form, nasal spray and injection forms – however they might not be safe for individuals with coronary artery disease or high blood pressure.
Antinausea drugs can help alleviate the nausea and vomiting that often accompanies migraines. Available as pills and rectal suppositories, these remedies should not be combined with antidepressant SSRI/SNRI antidepressants as this increases your risk for serotonin syndrome – potentially fatal side effects that could increase significantly with prolonged use.
