Migraine Relief
Migraine Relief
If you have ever had a migraine headache; you know how much you want migraine relief. I used to have them occasionally and if anyone even walked into the room, I wanted to scream. Every noise and slightest motion felt like someone was pounding my head with a sledge hammer. The nausea usually followed and I can honestly say I do not miss them at all. I think mine were mainly stress induced and I have not had one in years; knock on wood.
Aspirin is not very effective for migraine pain. There are over the counter migraine pain medications and some of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Aleve do help. Most people find, as I did, that a quiet, dark room is helpful. Especially if you have visual disturbances such as flashing lights and blind spots; you will want to lie down in a quiet place. Some people find that ice packs and cold towels applied to the back of the neck or around the head provide some relief. If you take these measures as soon as you feel an attack coming on, it may not be as severe.
For severe migraine attacks that don’t respond to non prescription drugs; you should check with your doctor. This type of headache can last up to 72 hours, so you may want to consider prescription drugs to treat or prevent attacks. A triptan is usually the first drug of choice. Ergotamines tend to be less effective for pain, but some patients do respond well to them. Depending on the severity of the headache, your doctor may recommend taking one of these drugs in tablet, injectable, or suppository form.
More medication is necessarily better; so guard against overuse which may lead to rebound headaches. In general, these drugs should not be taken more than nine days a month. If you need them more often, speak to your doctor about preventative medications. Beta-blocker drugs, anti-seizure drugs, and sometimes tricyclic antidepressants may help to prevent attacks, but they should be carefully monitored by a physician. This type of medication is normally started at a very low dose and gradually increased. It may take 2-3 months for full effect to be apparent. Preventative medication may be needed for 6-12 months or longer.
Of course if you know that certain foods or activities trigger your migraines; it makes sense to avoid them if possible. If stress is a factor, many people find that lifestyle changes are helpful in reducing the frequency of attacks. Meditation, massage, sufficient rest, good diet, and regular exercise may be beneficial for migraine relief in addition to medication.
