Migraine Headache Remedies to Ease Your Pain
Migraine Headache Remedies
Millions of people suffer from the debilitating pain of migraine headaches. If you’re one of them, you’ve no doubt tried various migraine headache remedies to alleviate your discomfort. There are quite a few remedies out there, so most people are able to find something that works for them. Even if the headaches cannot be eliminated completely, it is possible to reduce their severity, duration and frequency. Headache remedies fall into one of three categories: acute, rescue or preventative. The first line of defense when a migraine strikes is usually an acute treatment.
The U.S. Headache Consortium recommends non-opiate, non-narcotic pain relievers as the first acute treatment used for headache pain. Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are examples of non-opioid pain relievers. Common over the counter drugs like ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen fall into this category. Toradol is also in this category but is either given at a medical facility as a rescue treatment or via prescription. Another type of non-opioid analgesic is acetaminophen. Both NSAIDs and acetaminophen may have side effects, and individuals with liver or kidney problems should not take these drugs unless directed by their physician. Do not drink alcohol with these drugs as it can increase the risk of stomach bleeding when consumed with NSAIDs and liver and/or kidney damage when consumed with acetaminophen.
Opioids are narcotic pain relievers used as rescue treatments when acute remedies have failed. They must be prescribed and/or administered by a doctor. Many people go to the ER for rescue drugs when their migraine is unbearably severe. These drugs may be administered orally, via nasal spray or via injection for the fastest relief. Examples of narcotic headache remedies include Stadol, Oxycontin, Demerol, morphine, methadone and codeine, which is often combined with acetaminophen (Tylenol 3) and is one of the mildest narcotic pain relievers. Opiate drugs carry a high risk of dependence and/or addiction and may cause side effects like decreased respiration, nausea, itching and sedation.
Another type of headache medication for migraine sufferers are triptans. These are the most commonly prescribed drugs for migraine headaches and work by reducing pain, inflammation, nausea, sensitivity to sound and light and other common side effects of migraine headache. Examples of these drugs include Imitrex, Zomig, Frova and Axert. Usually triptans are taken orally or in a nasal spray, however for individuals who experience severe vomiting with their migraines injectable administration may be used. Triptans should be taken as soon as symptoms occur for best results.
In addition to migraine headache medication, there are migraine headache remedies used as preventative measures. While they may not work 100 percent of the time, these drugs can help to reduce frequency, duration and/or severity of migraine headaches. They include drugs like Topamax and Depakote which increase the neurotransmitter GABA, tricyclic antidepressants, beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Your doctor can decide which preventative medication is right for you based on your health, any medications you are currently taking and your migraine history. Every migraine sufferer should keep a diary of when their headaches occur, their severity, what may have triggered them, how long they last and symptoms associated with the headache. This can help you and your doctor devise the best possible prevention and treatment plan.
