Posts Tagged ‘Migraine Headache’

Managing and treating migraine headache

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Migraine Treatment

Fortunately, managing migraines have become possible in the last decade. Although there is still no cure, medications can help reduce the frequency of migraine and stop the pain once it has started. The right medicines combined with self-help remedies and changes in lifestyle can make a tremendous difference in migraine management.

A variety of drugs have been specifically designed to treat migraines. Migraine medications are broadly divided into:

Pain-relieving medications- these drugs are normally taken during migraine attacks and are designed to stop migraine symptoms that have already begun. Preventive medications: Taken regularly, often on a daily basis, these drugs reduce the severity or frequency of migraines.

Pain-relieving medications: These drugs must be taken as soon as the signs and symptoms of a migraine are experienced. They consist of:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): These medications help relieve mild migraines but aren’t effective for severe migraines. If taken too often or for long periods of time, these drugs can lead to ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding and rebound headaches.

Triptans: For people with severe migraine attacks. They are effective in relieving migraine associated pain, nausea and sensitivity to light. Side effects of triptans include nausea, dizziness, muscle weakness and, rarely, stroke and heart attack.

Ergots: Ergotamine, a common prescription medication for more than 60 years now, was used before triptans were introduced. Ergotamine, however, is not as effective or as expensive as triptans. Dihydroergotamine is an ergot derivative that is more effective and has fewer side effects.

Anti-nausea medications: Since migraine attacks are often accompanied by nausea with or without vomiting, medication for treatment of these symptoms is usually combined with other medications like metoclopramide (oral) or prochlorperazine (oral or rectal suppository).

Butalbital combinations: Medications that combine the sedative Butalbital with aspirin or acetaminophen are sometimes used to treat migraine attacks. These medications, however, have a high risk of repeat headaches and withdrawal symptoms. It is for this reason that they should be used infrequently.

Opiates: Medications containing narcotics, particularly codeine, are sometimes prescribed to people who can’t take triptans or ergots. These drugs can be addictive and are usually used only as a last resort.

Preventive medications: These drugs can reduce the frequency, severity and length of migraines as well as increase the effectiveness of symptom-relieving medicines. These drugs include:

Cardiovascular drugs: Beta blockers, calcium channel blockers and antihypertensive medications, commonly used to treat high blood pressure and coronary artery disease, can reduce the frequency and severity of migraines. Considered among first-line treatment agents, these drugs can have side effects which include dizziness, drowsiness or lightheadedness.

Antidepressants: Certain antidepressants can positively prevent all types of headaches, including migraines. These medications may reduce migraines by affecting the level of serotonin and other brain chemicals.

Anti-seizure drugs: Although unclear, some anti-seizure drugs seem to prevent migraines. In high doses, however, these anti-seizure drugs may cause side effects, like nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, hair loss and dizziness.

Cyproheptadine: This antihistamine specifically affects serotonin activity. Doctors sometimes give it to children as a preventive measure.

Botulinum toxin type A (Botox): Some people receiving Botox injections for facial wrinkles have noted improvement in their headache. It is believed that the drug causes changes in the nervous system, modifying a person’s tendency to develop migraines.

Managing migraine

Whether or not you take a form of medication for migraine, small lifestyle changes and can help manage migraines better, both in terms of how often they occur and the severity of symptoms. Establishing a daily routine, eating and exercising regularly, waking and going to bed at the same time every day will undoubtedly help to manage migraines.

In addition, you must learn to things that may cause migraines. The challenge is to learn about your own independent triggers so that migraine management becomes easy. Moreover, keeping a written record of migraine attacks, including what you eat, drink, or do, can help you spot a particular trigger.

Limiting your caffeine intake, i.e. coffee, tea or cola drinks per day will prove to be beneficial because caffeine withdrawal is a potent headache trigger. Cutting out foods with migraine triggering ingredients is also a good idea.



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Tension Headache, Fioricet and Butalbital

David Altfeder asked:


At our online pharmacy and many others, the most frequently prescribed medication is butalbital, the generic form of Fioricet. Patients are prescribed this medication for relief of tension headache. This article summarizes tension headache as well as butalbital to help patients make informed choices about their treatment.

Tension headache, also called “muscle contraction headache” or “stress headache” is a condition involving pain in the head, neck or scalp. It is typically a dull, achy feeling on both sides of the head, often associated with tightness of the muscles in the affected area. Tension headaches usually start in the middle of the day, typically building slowly and gradually. They can become quite severe, even more painful than a migraine headache. The pain may be worsened by noise or glare.

Tension headache is often the result of stress, anxiety or depression. It can also result from holding the head in a constant or awkward position for long times, for example when using a computer, typing or performing fine work using the hands. Other contributing factors may include excessive alcohol consumption, eyestrain, fatigue, excess caffeine, sinus infection and the flu.

Tension headache can be extremely uncomfortable and annoying, but is not dangerous. It is important to differentiate between tension headache and other conditions which result in head pain, however. If the pain is associated with vision changes, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, seizures or it does not respond to treatment, a physician should be consulted immediately.

While the mechanism behind tension headaches is not completely understood, there are a variety of treatments available with varying efficacy for patients. These include relaxation exercises, meditation, hot showers, biofeedback, a hot or cold pack placed on the point of pain, exercise and over the counter medication. Given the escalating nature of the headache, it is advisable to treat the pain as early as possible and prevent the pain from increasing in severity. For many patients, there is simply no substitute for Fioricet or butalbital. This medication is a combination of three ingredients (50 mg butalbital, 325 mg acetaminophen and 40 mg caffeine). For some reason, this combination of ingredients in this ratio of quantities is particularly effective in treating tension headache.

Butalbital is a barbiturate. It is responsible for relaxing the skeletal muscles in the head, neck and scalp. Acetaminophen is an analgesic (pain reliever) and antipyretic (fever reducer). Tylenol is acetaminophen. Caffeine is a central nervous stimulant found naturally in coffee. All the ingredients in Butalbital (Fioricet) are absorbed quickly. They are eliminated from the body in a variety of ways involving the liver and kidneys. It is interesting to note that while the caffeine and acetaminophen are eliminated from the body rather quickly (half of the drug is eliminated from the body in 3 hours), the butalbital component remains in the body much longer (half of the drug is eliminated in 35 hours).

While Fioricet and butalbital are safe medications, it is helpful to understand the precautions advised by the drug manufacturers when taking this medication. If you have a hypersensitivity to any of the components in butalbital, obviously you should consult a physician before taking the medication. Since the medication is cleared from the body by the kidneys and liver, any patient with impared liver or kidney function should consult a physician. The package insert for Fioricet also mentions that patients with porphyria should exercise the same caution, as should patients taking monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors.

Fioricet and butalbital have other warnings as well. The medication can give patients a feeling of intoxication and euphoria, and may be habit forming.

Butalbital is a central nervous system depressant. This attribute accounts for the relaxation of skeletal muscle associated with tension headache, but it also carries the same risk as other CNS depressants. You should avoid driving or operating machinery when using this medication, as it can impair your mental and/or physical abilities. Alcohol can greatly strengthen the CNS depressant capability of the medication- avoid combining alcohol and butalbital.

Adverse reactions to butalbital and Fioricet include: drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, sedation, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. As with any medication, there have been a wide range of other rare adverse reactions reported.

In conclusion, Fioricet and butalbital are safe medications which are effective treatment for tension headaches. An educated patient is a safe patient, so it is important to understand the information in this article. If you do not understand the information in this article, or if you fall into any of the advisory categories, it is best to consult a physician before beginning treatment.



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Causes And Remedies Of Tension Headache Symptoms

Cindy Heller asked:




Here you’ll learn about the symptoms and causes of tension headaches and what remedies are available to you. One of the more painful headaches, the tension headache, otherwise known of stress headache, can be incredibly annoying and disruptive to everyday life. Tension headache symptoms can range from a constant pain to pulsating on both sides of the head, appearing in the middle of the day and increasing as the day goes on, or in a matter of minutes. Generally, a tension headache can be diagnosed from the symptoms, but some individuals may need a blood exam done to verify the tension headache.

Thankfully, tension headaches are all lifestyle oriented. Much like their name suggests tension headaches are just that, tension within your life. Examine your daily lifestyle. Is there a great deal of stress? Are you sleeping? What is your diet and exercise regime like? How about your emotional state? Are you anxious? Are you stressed? Are you angry? But mostly, how often do you experience headaches?

If you find you are answering yes to most of these questions, then you are a candidate for developing tension headache. Carrying too much emotional and mental stress can increase your chances for tension headaches. Your body physically constricts as tension builds in your muscles. You feel your neck and shoulder muscles tighten causing a throbbing pain that develops in the upper cervical region of your neck.

While lifestyle choices are the main cause of tension headaches, changing positions can help out. Sitting at a computer all day long can cause poor posture and stress. Get up! Take a walk around, make your body move so that it can release that tension built up.

While not as detrimental as the dubious migraine headache, tension headaches can be just as incapacitating as a migraine, and occur in a higher frequency, making them more dreaded than the migraine.

What Can I Do to Relieve Tension Headaches?

How do you relieve tension headache symptoms? Well, remove the tension! Try relaxing throughout your day, by stretching at your desk or walking around several times during the day. Eating a proper balanced diet and getting exercise regularly will help you avoid tension headaches. Consult a physician or a physical therapist to learn the appropriate stretches to relieve stress and tension.

Try saying no sometimes. We all know it is difficult to say no to people, particularly at work, but empowering yourself by saying no can relieve stress within your day. And remember to laugh. Laughter is, after all, the best medicine!

But if you cannot find relief in everyday lifestyle changes, there are prescription medications which a physician can prescribe for you. Midrin is often prescribed for tension headaches which combines the pain reliever acetaminophen with a mild sedative that helps you relax and release the tension.

There are problems with Midrin, though. It should not be overused, or else it could cause severe, irreversible liver damage. The sedative within Midrin can also be addictive. Consult your doctor before taking Midrin or any other drug to manage your tension headaches.

You may also require a mild muscle relaxer to help release the muscles causing the tension headaches. Most tension headache sufferers are prescribed Skelaxin, Zanaflex or Robaxin to relax their bodies. While these drugs are mild, they can still be overused, and cause extreme drowsiness. This is true for Zanaflex, which is a little more potent muscle relaxer and can affect individuals differently. With any prescription, you should not attempt to operate machinery or cars until you know exactly how it will affect the body.

While tension headache symptoms are extremely annoying and unpleasant, they can be controlled with lifestyle changes. Though medications are available, tension headache symptoms cannot be controlled without lifestyle changes. Remember to ask you doctor to discover the causes and explore the possible remedies. You hold the key.



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Painful Headaches And Its Treatment


Headaches are common but usually do not represent a serious illness. Even when headaches do not have a serious cause, they may be quite painful and disrupt your daily activities.

There are many different causes of headache. The pain in different types of headache varies in intensity, location, and duration. Another important feature that helps distinguish among different types of headache is the quality of the pain: whether it is sharp, dull, constant, intermittent, or pounding. Additional symptoms may accompany a headache such as dizziness, numbness or weakness, changes in vision, difficulty with balance, eye, ear, or facial pain, cold symptoms, and even fever

All these factors help determine whether or not a headache needs emergency treatment. Ultimately, the cause of the headache determines the best treatment. Headache can affect anyone, of any race, socioeconomic status, age, and gender. Stress and anxiety are reported to trigger some peoples headaches. Others find no apparent reason for theirs.

The most common types of headache are known as tension-type, while the next most common are called migraine. What most people consider to be a mild headache is most often tension-type headache or a mix of tension-type and migraine.

Headache is caused by irritation or injury to pain-sensing structures of the head. The structures that can sense pain include the scalp, the muscles of the neck and head, major arteries and veins in the head, the sinuses, and the tissues that surround the brain.

Headache may occur when these structures suffer compression, spasm, tension, inflammation, or irritation. The brain has no nerve endings so the brain itself cannot “hurt.”

Research into the mechanisms of various headache types continues, and new theories arise frequently. Specifically, the causes of mild tension-type headache are not completely understood, and debate continues regarding the cause.

A common theory involves nerve endings in the head that are irritated by tight muscles in the neck, face, and scalp, along with irritation to the arteries and veins nearby. The events that trigger mild headache vary widely among people who get headaches. Each person seems to have his or her own pattern.

Common headache triggers stress, before, during, or after menstruation, muscle tension in the back and neck, exhaustion, hunger, and medications (Many drugs designed to relieve pain can actually cause headache when the drug is stopped after a period of prolonged use.)

Other causes of headache include household hazards such as carbon monoxide poisoning: If the headaches are recurrent or worse each morning or if more than 1 person in the household experiences the same type of headache, there may be an excessive level of carbon monoxide in the air.

Carbon monoxide poisoning comes from faulty heaters or stoves that do not have proper exhaust to the outside of the house. If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, leave the building immediately and do not return until the levels of carbon monoxide are checked.

Headache associated with eye pain and vomiting: These headaches often indicate an eye disease called glaucoma and warrant immediate medical attention, or vision can be permanently harmed. Headache that occurs with neck stiffness or pain, light sensitivity, fever, and confusion: These types of headaches could mean meningitis. This is a true medical emergency and needs immediate attention.

Mild headache symptoms are unlikely to need immediate medical attention. These mild symptoms include mild head pain that is aching, squeezing, or band like, on both sides of the head, generally above the level of the eyebrows.

These headaches can occur often and may appear at predictable times. People who have these types of mild headache often know the triggers and symptoms of their headaches in great detail, because the pattern repeats itself for each episode.

Common headache types include tension-type headache is thought to be the most common headache type. It occurs more often in women than in men. Attacks can be occasional or more frequent. Symptoms include tight, or pressing, mild to moderate head pain, which may be on both sides.

Migraine is the second most common headache type. These are classified according to whether or not they include an aura (a visual disturbance, weakness, or numbness that occurs 1-2 hours before the onset of the headache). Migraines with this aura are called classic, while those without are called common. Migraine is more common in women than men. It is often one-sided, throbbing, of moderate to severe intensity. The headache may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light.

Cluster headache is a less common headache that occurs in men more often than women. With a cluster headache, there is intense pain that is generally on one side and located around the eye or temple.

A bloodshot eye, tearing, runny nose, and eyelid drooping or swelling on the same side of the face may also occur. The headaches tend to occur in “clusters,” sometimes daily or every few days over a period of weeks to months. After such a “cluster” of headaches, there may be symptom-free periods of years before another cluster of headaches occurs.

Consult a doctor about your headache and find out what can be done for pain relief in these situations: you have a chronic medical illness such as high blood pressure, heart disease, heart attack or stroke, diabetes, or liver problems, you are not obtaining relief with over-the-counter pain medications.

Consult a doctor about your headache if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription medications, there is any change in the normal pattern of your headache, you have a new type of headache that you never had before, you have pain in your face or eyes, and if you have a very severe headache.

Although headaches are very common, they may be a sign of serious disease that warrants immediate medical attention. Go to an emergency department if any of the following symptoms occur.

Severe pain, pain that develops very rapidly, a change in concentration or ability to think, a change in level of alertness, altered speech, weakness, numbness, or difficulty walking, changes in vision, headache with a stiff neck or neck pain, or if light hurts your eyes, worst headache of your life, headache with dizziness, room spinning, or falling to one side, headache from an injury or blow to the head, and headache with fever (over 100.4F or 38C when taken by mouth).

Treating a mild headache will usually involve over-the-counter pain medications. There are many different medications marketed for control of headache pain. The pharmaceutical companies spend millions of dollars each year to advertise their products. However, many “special” headache remedies are no better than simple acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin. In addition, stress reduction and rest may be helpful.

Doctors usually recommend over-the-counter pain medications for mild headache. If these medications do not adequately treat your headache, consult a doctor for further recommendations.

Although relatively safe, over-the-counter pain medicines all have potential side effects. Inappropriate use may have serious consequences. Always read the label and follow the recommended dosage.

Even nonprescription pain medicines can be dangerous if taken improperly or if taken for headache that is caused by certain diseases (such as bleeding or stroke). Potential problems include overdose, overuse, cross-reactions with other medications (especially with blood thinners), and toxic effects on various organs (especially the liver).

Acetaminophen (brand names include Tylenol, Aspirin Free Anacin, and Feverall, for example) is a safe and very effective pain reliever and should be considered the first-line treatment of headache.

Although acetaminophen has few cross-reactions with other medications, avoid taking with alcohol and sleeping medicines (barbiturates and benzodiazepines such as Valium). If acetaminophen alone is inadequate, some people report that the addition of caffeine to the acetaminophen provides more relief from pain (examples include Excedrin and Aspirin-Free) and is a reasonable choice for those people who can tolerate caffeine well.

Unless advised by a doctor, people with liver diseases such as cirrhosis or hepatitis, and heavy drinkers, should avoid acetaminophen. Drinking a cup of caffeinated coffee with a pain reliever can provide the same caffeine effect. By increasing the production of stomach acid, caffeine helps the body absorb headache medicines more quickly.

Aspirin is another common pain reliever. Its most common side effects are stomach upset and increased risk of bleeding. Aspirin is a type of “nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.” People with stomach ulcers or on blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin) should not take aspirin.

Alcohol use increases the risk of bleeding. Heavy drinkers should not take aspirin because of the risk of bleeding from stomach irritation or ulcer formation. People older than 60 years and those with kidney problems should not take aspirin unless advised by their doctor.

Aspirin is commonly prescribed by doctors after a stroke without bleeding and can prevent another stroke. Taking aspirin for undiagnosed severe headache may be dangerous. The severe headache could come from a bleeding stroke and taking aspirin may make the bleeding worse.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs known as NSAIDs include such medications as ibuprofen (Advil and Motrin, for example) and naproxen sodium (Aleve and Naprosyn are commonly known brand names). These medications are often used for headache. The side effects are similar to those of aspirin.

It is important not to take aspirin and other NSAIDs together because the side effects are additive meaning they build on each other and become worse than one taken alone. The same warnings about age, kidney disease, stroke, and alcohol problems apply to other NSAIDs as well as to aspirin.

Homeopathic, herbal, and other remedies that are not tested for safety or regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can be potentially dangerous and are not recommended. Without FDA regulation there is no control over the quality, dose, or ingredients. Scientific studies that document safety and effectiveness are not required prior to the sale of these unregulated products.



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What Natural Remedies Can You Take For Migraine Headaches? Part 1


The National Headache Foundation says that more than 29.5 million Americans have migraine, and although some rely on prescription medications, a growing number prefer natural remedies for migraine headaches.

A natural remedy for migraine headaches might be anything from herbs to supplements, acupuncture to aromatherapy.

Choosing a Natural Remedy for Migraine

If you choose a natural remedy for migraine treatment, you might try something from one or more of these categories.

Seven Nutrients

These nutrients are listed alphabetically to avoid indicating a preference.

1. 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan)

5-HTP is a compound the body produces from tryptophan, an amino acid. The body uses it to make serotonin. Since supplements that affect serotonin levels are used for migraines, 5-HTP has been put forward as an effective natural remedy for migraine treatment.

2. Butterbur

An extract of butterbur root has been found to be an effective natural remedy for migraine in children and adolescents. A clinical trial of this herb was reported in an early 2005 issue of the journal “Headache”. Butterbur appears to relieve pain and spasms.

3. Fatty Acids

Research done in the U.S. suggests that fish oil combined with magnesium taurate may be a great natural remedy for migraine. Both reduce blood vessel spasms, which appear to be the main cause of migraines.

4. Feverfew

This herb has long been considered a natural remedy for migraine and other headaches. Feverfew relieves pain and has an anti-inflammatory effect. It treats migraine by inhibiting the platelets’ release of blood vessel-dilating substances. It also inhibits the production of inflammatory substances.

5. Magnesium

This mineral is one of the most promising natural remedies for migraine headaches. Contained in fish, nuts, seeds, soybeans, whole grains, and vegetables, magnesium is needed for healthy muscle, nerve and blood vessel tone. As a natural remedy for migraine, it is thought to help prevent blood vessel spasms.

6. Petasite (Petasites hybridus)

It was in Germany that Petasite was found to be an effective natural remedy for migraine. German researchers showed that people taking Petasite had fewer migraine attacks, and their attacks were shorter. They also had less pain than those taking a placebo.

7. Vitamin B2

Belgian researchers in a 1998 double-blind study learned that vitamin B2 (riboflavin) gave more effective migraine relief than a placebo. This natural remedy reduced both the severity and frequency of migraine headaches.

Manual Therapy

Since no one treatment will work for everyone, you may want a natural remedy for migraine that involves manual therapy. Two possibilities are acupuncture and shiatsu.

1. Acupuncture

The Chinese art of acupuncture triggers relief by inserting delicate needles at specific points in the neck and head. Many people, including German researchers, have found it an effective natural remedy for migraine. Acupuncture is commonly used for migraines in Germany.

The researchers gave almost 900 patients one of three treatments: standard migraine drugs, traditional Chinese acupuncture, or “fake” acupuncture. Those who received “fake” acupuncture treatments had needles inserted in areas of the skin not used in traditional practice. In each group, virtually the same percentage of people cut in half the number of days affected by migraine each year.

2. Shiatsu

Shiatsu is a form of acupressure rather than acupuncture. As a natural remedy for migraine, shiatsu massage helps relieve tension and reduce stress. Whereas migraine tends to block blood flow or cause “overflow” to the lower head, shiatsu massage releases the blood flow and energy, restoring natural flow.

You can learn to do shiatsu for your own migraines, and get almost instant relief. Or have a family member give you shiatsu. The technique is simple, and regular massages are both preventative and remedial.

In a future article, we will consider the value of additional natural remedies for migraine headaches. If you are pregnant, be sure you ask your health care professional before using this advice. All migraine sufferers should seek professional counsel on using a natural remedy for migraine.



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What About Aura & Migraine Pain?


Migraine without aura is a common migraine without aura but exhibits the same symptoms as a classic migraine except that it does not exhibit any aura.

People who primarily suffer from migraine with aura may also have attacks of migraine without aura. Headache with the features of “migraine without aura” usually follows the aura symptoms. Less commonly, the aura may occur without a subsequent headache or the headache may be non-migrainous in type.

Migraine with aura is a classical migraine preceded by an aura before the attack. The aura occurs for about 10-30 minutes and then is usually followed by a headache. It is quite similar to a common migraine except in the aspect of the aura.

About 15% of migraine sufferers have a early warning that the headache is coming on. This change in brain function is called an “aura”. It is usually a visual symptom, such as an arc of sparkling (scintillating) zig-zag lines or a blotting out of vision or both. The aura is due to changes that take place in the cortex, the outer layer of the brain. This slowly spreading depression of nerve cell activity is believed to account for the pattern of development of the typical aura.

Auras set in about 20-30 minutes before the migraine attack. Some patients also describe the presence of a strange odor, before the onset of a migraine. They also experience a tingling sensation in an arm or leg.

In the classic migraine aura, symptoms build up gradually and move slowly from one visual region or one part of the body to another. For example, the migraine aura sufferer may first notice a black spot in the field of vision. This black spot is often surrounded by flashing lights or bright zig-zag lines as mentioned.

What starts this sequence of events that leads to the aura and migraine? The answers to thisquestion are not fully understood. Migraine sufferers have an inborn susceptibility to factors that normally do not trigger headaches.

In people with migraines, changes in body chemistry, such as menstruation, certain foods, and dozens of environmental influences, such as a change in weather, may trigger a migraine attack. A migraine trigger is any factor that, on exposure or withdrawal, leads to the development of an acute migraine headache. Triggers may be categorized as behavioral, environmental, infectious, dietary, chemical, or hormonal. In medical literature, these factors are known as ‘precipitants.’

Neither type of migraine denotes a life-threatening disorder but, they can be chronic and recurrent, thus interfering with a person’s daily lifestyle.

Both migraine types have the usual pain, nausea, vomiting and intolerance to light and sound, which is worsened by any physical activity.

Treatment? The treatment for migraines begins with simple painkillers for headache and anti-emetics for nausea, and avoidance of triggers if present. Specific anti-migraine drugs can be used to treat migraine. Homeopathic Drugs and Special all natural ingredient products such as those at the Centre for Pain Relief in Burlington, New Jersey have proven effective. If the migraine condition is severe and frequent enough, preventative drugs might be considered.

The most commonly used “reversal” medicines are triptans. Triptans work by boosting the effects of the brain chemical serotonin, which reduces the severity and duration of an attack. Propranolol, a beta blocker, and Topiramate have proven effective for migraine sufferers as well.

When it comes to treatment however, “Migraine is the most misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and mistreated condition in medical practice,” states Dr. Seymour Diamond, M.D., who is the executive chairman for the National Headache Foundation and director of the Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago.

As always, talk to your doctor about whether or not you have with Aura or without Aura to find the medication that works best for you.



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This page is provided for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a medical doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner or other qualified health professional.