Migraine Treatments: Migraine Headache Treatment and Cure

EARN HOW TO HELP MIGRAINE HEADACHES - MEDICATIONS TO TAKE AND LIFESTYLE CHANGES TO MAKE

Maybe you just had your first migraine and you never want to have another, or maybe you've suffered migraines for years and have given up hope that any migraine headache treatment will ever be successful for you. One thing is certain—there is no easy remedy for a migraine. However, there are medications and lifestyle changes that can help you get a handle on this problem.

Understanding Migraine Headaches
Migraines start with abnormal brain activity that is initiated by some kind of trigger. These triggers start a chain of chemical reactions that cause the temporal artery in the skull to enlarge, which leads to further inflammation, pain, and the many different kinds of migraine symptoms. These symptoms can include light sensitivity, nausea and vomiting, throbbing head pain, confusion and feeling pins and needles. For many people, the symptoms are debilitating.

Migraine Triggers
Just as people experience different symptoms, different triggers set off their migraines. Some potential migraine triggers include:

• Stress
• Unhealthy sleep habits (not enough, too much or poor quality sleep)
• Stimulants (caffeine, wine, chocolate)
• Food additives (MSG, nitrates, aspartame)
• Allergies
• Odors (cigarette smoke, perfume)
• High-intensity visual stimulation (bright lights, flashing lights, watching TV)
• Hormonal changes (experienced during menstrual periods or menopause)

These triggers have been associated with migraines, though migraines can occur in the absence of any trigger and a particular trigger may not always start a migraine. However, if you know that you are susceptible to certain triggers, you can take steps to minimize your exposure and reduce the chances of a migraine.

Prodrome and Aura
Some people know that a migraine is coming several days beforehand because they experience mood changes (elation, depression, irritability), food cravings or thirst, diarrhea or drowsiness. This is known as the prodrome phase of a migraine. Right before the migraine hits, some people have heightened or distorted sensory experiences such as seeing flashes of light or spots or auditory hallucinations. This is known as the aura phase of a migraine.

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of a migraine, you should see a doctor to rule out other conditions that might require immediate attention. Your doctor may also prescribe medication that can help prevent a migraine from occurring or alleviate symptoms.

Medications
After reviewing your tests and medical history and making a diagnosis for a migraine, your doctor may recommend over-the-counter pain relievers or prescription medication to prevent or cope with migraines. For some people with migraines, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like Advil and Aleve are effective if taken right before a migraine kicks in. If these are not effective, there are drugs that help prevent migraine attacks and drugs used to treat symptoms during an attack.

Lifestyle Changes
You can take a proactive role in preventing or minimizing migraines by making some of the following lifestyle changes. Identifying migraine triggers—and then avoiding them when possible—can make a difference for some people.

• Stop smoking.
• Identify your allergies and try to minimize them.
• Make sure you get enough sleep (but not too much).
• Stay away from typical migraine trigger foods and experiment to find out what foods or additives make you most susceptible.
• Eat a balanced diet with regular meals.
• Exercise regularly, even if this means a brisk walk.
• Minimize stress. Yoga, tai chi, chi gong, and meditation are all effective practices for reducing stress—and stress is known to be a migraine trigger.

Like many conditions that affect the nervous system and brain, migraines are characterized by an array of unpredictable and debilitating symptoms and are difficult to treat. The process of changing your habits to lessen the chances of a migraine being triggered can often feel like taking two baby steps forward, and one giant step back. Be patient and don’t give up. Work with your doctor on ways to best prevent or treat an attack. There may be no cure for migraines (not yet, anyway), but by being persistent and proactive, you should have fewer migraines with less debilitating symptoms.