Posts Tagged ‘Secondary Characteristics’

Get Rid of Migraines

Juliet Cohen asked:




Migraine is a type of headache and a recognised medical condition. Migraine is widespread in the population. In the U.S., 18% of women and 6% of men report having had at least one migraine episode in the previous year. Migraines afflict about 30 million people in the United States. They may occur at any age, but usually begin between the ages of 10 and 40 and diminish after age 50. Some people experience several migraines a month, while others have only a few migraines throughout their lifetime. Approximately 75% of migraine sufferers are women.

Migraines’ secondary characteristics are inconsistent. Triggers precipitating a particular episode of migraine vary widely. The efficacy of the simplest treatment, applying warmth or coolness to the affected area of the head, varies between persons, sometimes worsening the migraine. Migraines are classified as either “with aura” or “without aura.” Migraine is a neurological disorder that generally involves recurring headaches. Other symptoms may occur with the headaches. Migraines are often classified based on whether they include an early symptom called an aura. Visual aura is the most common of the neurological events.

Migraine is a true organic neurological disease. Migraine with aura is characterized by a neurological phenomenon (aura) that is experienced 10 to 30 minutes before the headache. Most auras are visual and are described as bright shimmering lights around objects or at the edges of the field of vision (called scintillating scotomas) or zigzag lines, wavy images, or hallucinations. Migraine without aura is the most prevalent type and may occur on one or both sides (bilateral) of the head. Tiredness or mood changes may be experienced the day before the headache. Nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light (photophobia) often accompany migraine without aura. Migraine headaches affect about 11 out of 100 people. They are a common type of chronic, recurring headache. They most commonly occur in women and usually begin between the ages of 10 and 46. In some cases, they appear to run in families. A migraine is caused by abnormal brain activity, which is triggered by stress, food, or some other factor.

Migraine-specific therapies are designed specifically to treat migraine attacks. Ergotamine preparations are no longer readily available. Several medications may need to be tried before you find one that works. A class of drugs known as triptans can relieve a migraine once it starts. Rest in a quiet, darkened room. Drink fluids to prevent dehydration, especially if vomiting occurs. Several medications may help relieve symptoms. However, the effectiveness of migraine medications is highly variable in different people.

Some medicines can prevent migraines. These include propranolol, amitriptyline, ergonovine, cyproheptadine, clonidine, methysergide, calcium channel antagonists, valproic acid, carbamazepine, topiramate (Topamax), and many others. Ergotamine tartrate preparations constrict the arteries of the head and may be used alone or in combination with other drugs such as caffeine (Cafergot), phenobarbital, or Fioricet. Propoxyphene or other medications that relieve pain or inflammation may provide relief for some people. Nausea should be treated early with Reglan, Compazine, or other anti-emetics.

Migraines Treatment Tips

1. Conventional treatment focuses on three areas: trigger avoidance, symptomatic control, and preventive drugs.

2. Moderation in alcohol and caffeine intake, consistency in sleep habits, and regular meals may be helpful.

3. Triptans are a mid-line treatment suitable for many migraineurs with typical migraines.

4. Ergot drugs can be used either as a preventive or abortive therapy, though their relative expense.

5. Sumatriptan and related selective serotonin receptor agonists are now the therapy of choice for chronic migraine attacks.

6. Anti-emetics by suppository or injection may be needed in cases where vomiting dominates the symptoms.

7. Amidrine is sometimes prescribed for migraine headaches.

8. Intravenous chlorpromazine has proven very effective in treating status migrainosus–intractable and unremitting migraine.

9. Diet, visualization, and self-hypnosis are also alternative treatments and prevention approaches.

10. Massage therapy and physical therapy are often very effective forms of treatment to reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines.

11. Massage therapy of the jaw area can also reduce such pain.

12. Botox is being used by many headache specialists for patients with frequent or chronic migraines with encouraging results.

13. Try to avoid any factors that have triggered a migraine in the past.

Taking Tramadol

Detailed Information on Migraine


Migraine is a neurological disease Migraine is a condition that causes episodes (‘attacks’) of headaches. People who get migraines often describe the pain as pulsing or throbbing in one area of the head. Up to 17 percent of women and 6 percent of men have experienced a migraine. In the U.S., 18% of women and 6% of men report having had at least one migraine episode in the previous year. Migraines’ secondary characteristics are inconsistent. Triggers precipitating a particular episode of migraine vary widely. The efficacy of the simplest treatment, applying warmth or coolness to the affected area of the head, varies between persons, sometimes worsening the migraine. A migraine is also often accompanied by other signs and symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound.

Migraine pain can be excruciating and may diable you for hours or even days. A migraine attack can be triggered by stress, food, environmental changes, or some other factor. Migraine is three times more common in women than in men. Certain foods appear to trigger headaches in some people. Common offenders include alcohol, especially beer and red wine; aged cheeses; chocolate; fermented, pickled or marinated foods; aspartame; overuse of caffeine; monosodium glutamat. Some people can tell when they are about to have a migraine because they see flashing lights or zigzag lines or they temporarily lose their vision. Certain medications can aggravate migraines. During a headache, serotonin levels drop. This causes the trigeminal nerve to release substances called neuropeptides.

Medicines can help prevent migraine attacks or help relieve symptoms of attacks when they happen. Paracetamol or aspirin work well for many migraine attacks. Anticonvulsants such as valproic acid (Depacon, Depakene), divalproex sodium (Depakote), or topiramate (Topamax). Opiatesare sometimes used to treat migraine pain when people can’t take triptans or ergots. Migraine sufferers usually develop their own coping mechanisms for the pain of a migraine attack. A cold or hot shower directed at the head, a hot or cold wet washcloth, a warm bath, or resting in a dark and silent room may be as helpful as medication for many patients, but both should be used when needed. A good way to identify triggers is to keep a headache diary. Exercise regularly , Avoid smoking and avoid alcohol.

Migraine Treatment and Prevention Tips

1. Avoid smoking ,Avoid alcohol ,Exercise regularly.

2. Get enough sleep each night.

3. ASA or Asprin can be taken daily in low doses such as 80 to 81 mg.

4. Beta-blockers such as propranolol (Inderal) also helpful against migraine.

5. Antidepressants, including tricyclics like amitriptyline (Elavil) also reduce migraine pain.

6. Serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as fluoxetine, paroxetine or sertraline.

7. Calcium channel blockers such as verapamil also helpful against migraine.

8. Anticonvulsants such as valproic acid (Depacon, Depakene), divalproex sodium or topiramate.



Fioricet, Tramadol, Ultracet at the cheapest prices

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.