Monthly Archives: December 2011

Migraine Treatments: Medical and Natural Approaches

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If you suffer from migraine headaches, then you will likely want to know more about migraine treatments.  There are a variety of different ways to treat these severe headaches, including both medicinal and natural remedies.  Migraines can be debilitating, and can really start to affect your quality of life, so it is important to learn ways to treat them and prevent them from occurring.  Here are a few of the most common treatment methods.

Migraine Treatments

Medical Treatments for Migraine Headaches

First, take a look at the medicines that can be used to treat migraines.  There are a variety of different pain relievers that have been proven to be effective at getting rid of even the worst migraine headaches.  A few of these include:

  • Over the counter products such as Excedrin Migraine that include a combination of aspirin, caffeine and acetaminophen
  • Prescription medication such as Triptans, Ergot, Opiates, and Dexamethasone

Generally, if the attacks are frequent and severe, prescription drugs will be administered.  Migraine treatments can also include medications that treat nausea, as nausea often comes along with migraine headaches.  When talking to your doctor, you will want to find the treatment option that will work the best for you.

Medical Prevention of Migraines

If you notice that you are having migraines often, say at least twice per month, then you may want to consider talking with your doctor about preventative measures that can be taken to lessen the severity of the headaches and bring them about less frequently.  Here are some of the medications that are commonly used in preventing migraine headaches:

  • Beta blockers such as propranolol
  • Calcium channel blockers such as verapamil
  • Tricyclic antidepressants, not to be confused with SSRIs and SNRIs
  • Anti seizure medications such as Topamax or Neurontin
  • Antihistamines such as Cyproheptadine

While these are sometimes used to prevent migraines, they have not been proven effective in all cases.  They may also have some side effects, so it is always important to be on the lookout for any potentially serious side effects while taking these medications

Believe it or not, doctors have even used Botox injections to help treat chronic migraines.  This is known as Botulinum toxin type A.  These injections, while commonly used for cosmetic reasons, are given in the neck and forehead to help with migraine treatment and prevention.

Natural Migraine Treatment and Prevention

If you want to try to combat your migraines without the use of medications, then you may want to give these methods a try:

  • Relaxation exercises such as yoga and meditation
  • Maintain regular sleep habits without oversleeping
  • Find a dark quiet area in your home and rest
  • Ice packs and gentle pressure

As you can see, there are a variety of migraine treatments that can be used to help you deal with the pain and suffering that come along with migraine headaches.  Instead of suffering through the pain, consider these treatment options so that you can increase your quality of life and hopefully reach a point where you are migraine-free.

 

Migraine Remedies to Try at Home

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When it comes to headaches, dealing with them can prove to be a challenge–especially if they are migraine headaches!  Everyone that suffers from these headaches wants to find a simple solution.  Migraine remedies for effective and natural home treatment have been successful for many people who deal with frequent migraine attacks. If you feel a severe headache coming on, then you may want to give these remedies a try.

Migraine Remedies to Try at Home

Ice Wraps or Towels

A common technique used for treating these headaches is the use of an ice wrap or a frozen towel.  You can purchase an ice wrap at a drug store near you.  Usually, you will wrap it around your head or neck and the coolness will help to improve the blood flow through your body and will also help to relieve the pain from the migraine.  If you’re in a pinch, you can get the same effect from a frozen towel.  Simply moisten the towel and freeze it.  Once it is frozen, you can remove it and use it just as you would the ice wrap.  You can repeat this treatment as needed.

Heating Pads

If you are sensitive to the coolness of the ice wraps or frozen towels, then you may consider using a hot compress or a heating pad.  Heat has been a proven pain reliever, and it may be just what you need to help alleviate the pain that comes along with migraine headaches.

Head Massage

Another one of the most common migraine remedies is a head massage, using steady pressure.  Find a nice quiet and dark room in your home, and massage your head and neck- focusing on the areas that are causing you the most pain.  If you have someone that can do the massage treatment for you, it may be more effective because you will be able to relax and get relief.

Natural Supplements and Herbs

Some people swear by dietary supplements and herbal migraine remedies.  There are so many different herbs and supplements on the market, so how can you know which one will be the most effective in the treatment and prevention of migraines?  Here are a few of the ones that are used most commonly:

The Bottom Line When it Comes to Migraine Remedies

These are all remedies that can be very effective in getting rid of your migraine headaches.  The good news is that most of these natural remedies can be used by adults and children of all ages.  They can also be used by women who are pregnant or nursing and are unable to take certain medications to get rid of the pain associated with their migraines.

There are also several lifestyle changes that can help to reduce the frequency of your headaches.  Try adding more water to your daily diet and improving your nutritional intake.  Healthy eating, exercise and adequate sleep are important to improving your health and becoming migraine-free.

Migraine Relief

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Don’t Stop Until You Find Migraine Relief You Can Depend On

Sharing your experiences with migraine headaches can often help others find various forms of migraine relief.  If you have been dealing with migraines and have found relief that works for you, then you may want to give others some insight to help them cope with the pain that comes along with these severe headaches.  In speaking with a variety of different patients, it is evident that what works for some does not necessarily work for everyone.  Don’t give up hope!  Here is a great story that may help you see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Migraine Relief is Out There

Elizabeth’s Migraine Experience:

Elizabeth is a 28 year old female who has experienced migraine headaches over the past several years.  When she first started getting the headaches, she tried taking over the counter medications such as Advil, Tylenol and Excedrine to help her deal with the pain that was caused by these powerful headaches.   After a few months of ongoing migraines, she decided that she had better make an appointment to see her doctor.

She went in to see her doctor, and they discussed her situation.  At this point, the best route to take for migraine relief was preventative medication.  Over the course of the next several months, she tried a variety of different Triptans.  Most of these caused adverse reactions, which is not usually that common, but it does happen in a small percentage of patients.  Of course, this was very discouraging for Elizabeth, as she was just hoping to find some relief.

Elizabeth had many goals and dreams, which included nursing school and a family some day.  She knew that her condition was greatly affecting her ability to reach these goals.  So many people didn’t understand the way she felt, which is common among migraine sufferers.  Only if you have experienced a migraine could you begin to understand the debilitating effects.  Tired of putting her life on hold because of headaches, she decided to see a different doctor that specialized in migraines.

Together with her doctor, they tried several treatment options.  She tried trigger point injections, which provided her a bit of migraine relief but it was not long lasting.  They even tried a few invasive procedures, including a C2-C4 nerve ablation.  They also considered an occipital nerve stimulator, but decided against it.  After months of feeling like she was on a dead end path, Elizabeth decided to try Botox injections for migraine relief.  Two months later, she has not experienced a severe migraine headache since starting the injections.

What Does This Mean for You?

Everyone that suffers from migraines can learn from Elizabeth’s story.  As you try various treatment methods, never give up hope.  While it may be a tricky process of trial and error, you are bound to find migraine relief that works for you.  Discuss your options, and leave no stone unturned until you find the treatment that works the best for you and helps you to get rid of your migraine headaches once and for all.