How to Prevent Migraines

Prevent Migraines

Migraine headaches affect millions of people. While both genders suffer from these headaches, they are more prevalent in women. The excruciating pain of a migraine is unmistakable. These headaches can last for hours and may be accompanied by uncomfortable symptoms like nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound. There are ways to treat the pain, however there are also various strategies you can use to prevent migraines before they occur.

One thing you should do is keep a migraine journal. Because migraine is a chronic condition, you will be able to track when these headaches happen. In your journal, write down the date and time, what you did or consumed before the headache, how you felt before, during and after the headache, how long the pain lasted, anything that helped the pain, and any other details you find important. This journal can be used to identify migraine triggers, which in the future can be avoided. There are certain situations and foods that may set off this type of headache, and knowing this information can prevent the headache from happening.

Stress is a trigger for migraines that is quite universal. Most people suffer from some degree of stress, and if you find it causes a migraine then it is extra important for you to gain control of your stress level. There are many causes of stress, some large and some small. Regular exercise and incorporating relaxing activities into your day may help ease your tension. Seeking behavior therapy to help you cope can also be immensely helpful, however in some cases where therapy isn’t enough antidepressants may be used. Antidepressants are sometimes also used off-label as a migraine preventative. This is because an imbalance in serotonin is related to migraine headache, and antidepressants are designed to regulate serotonin balance.

There are other drugs that can be prescribed to prevent migraines. They include antiepileptics like Topamax and Depakote. These drugs increase GABA, an important neurotransmitter in the brain. Beta blockers are also used off-label for the prevention of migraines as they have an effect on certain nerves in the body. Calcium channel blockers are similar drugs that may also be prescribed for the purpose of preventing migraines. When using any drug to prevent this type of headache your doctor should monitor you carefully to watch for potential side effects. Preventative drugs are not suitable for everyone, and what works for one patient may not work for another.