Migraine Treatment? Does it Exist?

Migraine has no cure. Yet, you may manage to control the severity, frequency, and duration of migraine attacks by combining different methods. You may combine natural and alternative medicines, preventive drugs, abortive drugs, and riggers avoidance. You have to remember that there is no single migraine treatment or regimen. Different things work for different people. Some migraineurs had success with prescription drugs, while others became migraine-free because they discovered and eliminated their migraine triggers. How to choose a treatment is based on the severity or type of your migraine. The following methods are guidelines to help you in your fight against migraine.

Follow a Healthy Lifestyle

No drug is perfect! With migraines, you have to get used to the notion that there is no “miracle pill”. Drugs have both good and bad effects, and for this reason some people prefer to minimize their drug consumption. The good days I had were the days when I woke up on time and slept on time, engaged in some activity, played sports, and ate healthy food for migraine. I was patient with pain to the point that I felt overcoming pain should be easy. On the contrary, the bad days were when I was lazy or I felt I couldn’t cope with migraines any more. I was careless, and I ate chocolate and other migraine "suspected foods" that only worsened my migraines. Another important thing you have to be careful with is choosing doctors. A doctor is supposed to be you buddy or friend! A doctor’s job is to help you control your migraines, not to listen to him or her!

Play sports regularly. Sports is a long term way to cure and relieve migraine pain. Swimming is one of the best sports for relieving stress and tension headaches.

Reduce your stress level. If your current job is stressful, consider changing it. Accept jobs even if they pay 20% less than what you get paid in your actual job. Feeling migraine-free is an expensive gift and doesn't come easy; it requires some sacrifice.

natural and alternative medicines

Natural and alternative medicines are usually harmless unless in case of conflicts with prescription drugs. Natural medicines can be tried without the fear of undesired or serious side effects. The only bad thing about them is that their effect is generally mild and not quick, as opposed to drugs. The following are examples of natural medicines:

feverfew

aromatherapy

magnesium

alternative therapy

join a Biofeedback Program: Biofeedback is a therapy where patients learn when or where their stress level gets high, and thus they learn how to reduce and control their stress level. Biofeedback requires special instruments that measure heart beat, temperature, blood pressure, and other data to help patients be aware more about their stress levels.

put a tight band around your head.

have a shower: This may not work for everybody! You may also try boiling water in a container that you can use to inhale that hot air coming up from the hot water. The effect of this is similar to having a hot shower. This technique is useful when you feel you are too tired and exhausted by migraines to take a shower.

Play sports.

Ice Pack. It does not work for everybody, but it is worth trying, especially when you feel like your head is so hot or inflamed. Don’t put ice directly on your head or skin, but use a medical ice pack made from rubber.

massage, shiatsu, acupuncture.

Medical Drugs

Drugs won’t substitute your will and persistence in fighting migraines. So, don’t rely solely on them! Most prescription drugs have undesirable side effects.

Pain-relieving and abortive medications:

These drugs are supposed to either relieve pain or halt a migraine attack. They are taken only a few times a week depending on the need of the patient.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Some examples include Ibuprofen (Advil) or aspirin. Some migraine drugs are made by combining caffeine, acetaminophen, and aspirin. If NSAIDs are taken too often, gastrointestinal bleeding may occur.

Triptans. These medications are widely used by migraineurs. They work by constricting blood vessels, and thus they reduce the inflammation of nerve cells. Triptans are not recommended for people with risk of stroke or heart attacks. Some examples include sumatriptan (Imitrex), rizatriptan (Maxalt), naratriptan (Amerge), zolmitriptan (Zomig), almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova) and eletriptan (Relpax). A new drug called Treximet is formed by combining sumatriptan and naproxen sodium. It is thought to work more effectively than either medication taken alone.

Ergot: Ergotamine (Migergot, Cafergot) is not as effective as triptans, but it is less expensive. It may work better for people with migraine attacks that last more than 48 hours. Dihydroergotamine (Migranal) is an ergot derivative has fewer side effects than ergotamine.

preventive meds

These drugs are taken on daily basis. They are supposed to make migraine less severe, frequent, and intense. More on preventative medicines.