Migraines and Migraine Headache Treatment
Migraines - periodic, throbbing headache - usually on one side.

A moderate to severe headache that lasts 4 to 72 hours
A throbbing pain, often on one side of the head
Pain is worse when you exercise or move
Your pain comes with an upset stomach and/or sensitivity to light, sound, and odors

About one out of five people who have migraines also have an aura prior to the headache. If you have an aura, you may see flashing lights, temporarily lose your sight, or go numb on one side of your body. Usually, an aura lasts 5 to 30 minutes, but yours may be shorter or longer.

Migraine can strike anyone, at any age. It is most common in young women. If a close relative has migraines, you are more likely to have them.

The cause of migraine is unknown. One theory suggests that the nervous system is reacting to sudden changes in the body or the environment. Many researchers believe that people with migraines have a more sensitive nervous system response than other people do. During a migraine attack, changes in brain activity may cause blood vessels and nerves around the brain to become inflamed. Migraine drugs may give relief by quieting sensitive nerve pathways at nerve endings and in the brain itself. They may also have a direct effect in reducing the inflammation response itself.

Migraine is often difficult to diagnose. No medical test can tell you if you have migraines. Instead, you must carefully tell your doctor about your headache and its symptoms. The following questions will help determine if you have migraine headaches.

How painful are your headaches?
How often do they happen?
How long do your headaches last?
Are there any other symptoms that happen with your headaches?
What medicines do you currently take?
What is your medical history?

In addition, your doctor will do a complete physical exam that will help determine if you are having migraine headaches.

While there is no cure, migraine is treatable with your help and proper medical care. Your treatment plan can reduce the effect that migraine has on your life by:

Identifying and controlling triggers that start a migraine.
Utilizing medications is to prevent and treat migraine attacks.
Making healthy behavior and lifestyle changes.

To give you the best shot at success, you and your doctor must work as a team. A diary can be a very valuable tool. You will use it to help identify your migraine triggers, track how well your medications are working, and monitor the benefits of treatment and lifestyle changes. Regular follow-up visits and proper medication use can be your best route to control your headaches.

Many people know and can avoid their migraine triggers.

Diet
Missed meals, alcohol (especially red wine), foods with monosodium glutamate (MSG), preserved meats with nitrates and nitrites, and foods that contain tyramine, such as aged cheeses, may trigger migraine.

Sleep
Too much or too little sleep can trigger a migraine attack.

Hormones
Many women have migraine attacks linked to their menstrual cycles. Menstrual migraines can be more debilitating, more difficult to treat, and longer lasting than other migraines. Migraine is generally worse in early pregnancy, but improves in later pregnancy. Women generally have fewer migraines as they get older.

Environmental Factors
Weather or temperature changes, glaring or fluorescent lights, computer screens, strong colors, and high altitude can trigger migraine.

The goal of migraine management is to provide therapy that consistently relieves migraine symptoms, preserves the ability to function at normal or near - normal levels, and lessens the frequency and duration of future migraine attacks. Individuals who experience frequent attacks can take a prophylactic, or preventive, treatment so that migraines will strike less often and last for a shorter time.

Pain-relieving drugs for migraine attacks include:

	Nonprescription (over-the-counter) medications, such as aspirin or acetaminophen, alone or in combination with antihistamines, decongestants or caffeine.
	Prescription analgesics, including narcotics, non-narcotics, or both. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Specific drugs used to stop migraine attacks include:

Ergot alkaloids, such as ergotamine and dihydroegotamine. Triptans, such as sumatriptan, zolmitriptan, naratriptan, and rizatriptan (relatively new drugs developed specifically to stop migraine headaches).

Drugs used in hospital emergency rooms include:

Narcotics, anti-emetics (anti-nausea drugs), and corticosteroids.

Sometimes migraines are so frequent or severe the preventative therapy is needed. Preventive therapy may also be sued if pain medication at the time of your migraine does not work. While these drugs may not prevent all migraines, they often can reduce the frequency, pain, and length of attacks.

Drugs used to prevent migraine include:

	Antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline, and doxepin.
	Beta-blockers, such as propranolol, metoprolol, timolool, or atenolol.
	Calcium channel blockers, such as verapamil, diltiazem, or nifedipine.
	Serotonin antagonists, such as methysergide.
	Anticonvulsants, specifically divalproex sodium
	Vitamins, specifically riboflavin

A physician should be contacted if your medication is becoming less effective or if you find you need to use more of the acute medication. Overuse of acute medication can lead to daily rebound headache.

Research into the causes and treatments of migraine has led to numerous exciting discoveries that may result in more prevention and treatment options for people with migraine. The next generation of "triptan" drugs has arrived, and newer drugs are in testing. There is hope for migraine sufferers who cannot take or do not respond to the current medications.

 
Call Us For More Information About Migraine Headaches
(866) 426-3876
info@painmanagement.ws