Migraine treatments typically combine acute and preventive approaches. Advancements in both fields offer hope of improved migraine symptom relief and prevention.
When experiencing a headache, turn off all lights and relax in a dark and quiet room. Cold or hot compresses may help relax tense muscles; drinking plenty of water may ease symptoms; while taking over-the-counter pain relievers with caffeine could augment their effects by providing additional pain reduction.
Acute Treatment
For those experiencing an attack, there are medications which can provide immediate relief.
Your healthcare provider may recommend an MRI or CT scan to evaluate any underlying conditions that could be contributing to your migraines, such as brain tumors, infections or structural problems.
Preventive medication can help decrease your migraine episodes and can be taken daily or as needed by doctors. They may include blood pressure-reducing medicines like propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), timolol (Blocer), verapamil (Verelan and Calan), antidepressants like Amitriptyline (Elavil) or antiseizure medications like Valproate/Topiramate/Topamax/Qudexy.
If your migraines include nausea and vomiting, an antiemetic drug like ondansetron (Zofran) or prochlorperazine (Compazine) might be added to your treatment regimen for migraine relief. These drugs can be taken alongside nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or triptans for optimal effects; providing both antiemetic as well as pain relief benefits.
Behavioral and Lifestyle Changes
Behavioral therapy and relaxation techniques may assist with managing migraines by decreasing both their frequency and intensity, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, relaxation training or biofeedback.
Migraines are a type of headache characterized by moderate to severe pain on one side of the head. Migraine symptoms often include nausea and vomiting, worsened by physical activity, bright lights or certain smells; migraines may also be caused by eating certain foods – like aged cheese, chocolate and caffeine – known to trigger migraines; drinking alcohol also increases migraine risk.
Past research suggested that medication was the only viable way to combat migraine, but recent research has demonstrated that lifestyle modifications and mindfulness-based strategies may also be effective. Neurologists and primary care providers should advise their patients on behavior modification during each visit – for instance encouraging them to go to sleep at a regular time every night and drinking water instead of stimulant beverages such as coffee.
Neuromodulation
Migraines have long been thought of as being caused by abnormal dilation of the blood vessels, but research by Dr Charles and Peter Goadsby indicates it could be much more complicated, possibly involving dysfunction of certain brain networks or unusual levels of neurochemicals.
Doctors use several tests to accurately diagnose migraine, including CT scanning and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Both of these methods generate detailed cross-sectional images of the brain and blood vessels for accurate analysis. They may also take an exhaustive medical history review and conduct both physical and neurological exams on patients in order to make an accurate diagnosis.
As needed treatments for migraine include nonprescription pain relievers like aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol); prescription migraine medications like sumatriptan (Imitrex, Tosymra and others) and rizatriptan (Maxalt), which can be taken orally, intravenously or nasally. Antiemetics like metoclopramide, prochlorperazine or chlorpromazine may help alleviate nausea and vomiting; however higher doses may cause dystonia, tardive dyskinesia or akathisia side effects as well.
