Some treatments work to tackle symptoms on the spot, while others help prevent them. The right migraine treatment can offer fewer attacks and reduced pain.
Cases of migraine over the last 3 decades have climbed significantly. Every year, over
When it comes to migraine treatments, there are two main categories: acute and preventive treatment.
Acute treatments are medications that aim to work quickly to stop migraine pain in its tracks or at least make the severity more manageable.
Preventive treatments are medications or devices that work to lower the number of migraine attacks, make the attack time shorter, and ease the level of pain.
Acute options should be taken right away — when your first signal of a migraine attack hits.
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications
OTC medications are easy to find at drugstores and generally have few side effects. Popular OTC options for migraine treatment include:
Keep in mind that taking these OTC medications too often can cause side effects and may lead to rebound headaches.
Prescription medications
Talking with your healthcare professional can help you decide if prescription medication for acute migraine treatment is right for you.
One acute medication type is triptans. Sumatriptan is a well-tolerated and
Some common side effects of triptans include nausea, dizziness, fatigue, to name a few. Serious side effects of triptans are rare and can include chest pain or pressure, trouble breathing, and more.
Dihydroergotamine has similar effectiveness to ergotamine and tends to have fewer side effects. These are rarely prescribed in the United States, however.
Sometimes, migraine episodes bring on nausea and vomiting. Anti-nausea medications like chlorpromazine or metoclopramide may help.
In rare cases, opioids may be prescribed for severe migraine pain, but this is
Calcitonin gene-related peptide receptors (CGRP) receptor antagonists are
Non-medication approaches
Glaring lights are another common trigger, so avoiding bright lights when you feel a migraine coming on or during an episode can help ease symptoms. Resting in a dark, quiet room may also be necessary until symptoms have eased.
Applying cold compresses to your face, head, or even shoulders can offer some relief. For those who don’t prefer the cold, using a heating pad in the same areas can be very helpful in reducing pain.
Relaxation techniques, like meditation, mindfulness, and yoga, may help you avoid migraine attacks, as these exercises help regulate the body in ways that help prevent migraine episodes.
Other ways to relax, like listening to spa music or taking a warm bath, can help ease tension during an attack.
Biofeedback is another area worth exploring. This type of therapy involves placing sensors on the body to discover how best to improve breathing and heart rate for better relaxation.
Staying ahead of migraine may sound difficult, but it’s possible for some through certain lifestyle adjustments and medications.
Lifestyle changes
Identifying and avoiding triggers is one key way to avoid migraine attacks. This can help you notice trends.
Regular exercise and a healthy diet are essential approaches to managing stress and avoiding migraine attacks. For example, it’s helpful to keep known migraine triggers out of your diet, including artificial sweeteners, foods with MSG, cured meat, cheeses, alcohol, and caffeine.
Along with drinking enough water, other drinks, including green and mint teas, may offer migraine relief. You can find a list of the top 12 drinks for migraine relief here.
For many people, menstrual migraine can begin a week or a few days before menstruation and may continue for 3 to 7 days. Self-care methods like heating pads, cutting back on alcohol intake, and taking magnesium for cramps and better sleep can help prevent menstrual migraine symptoms.
Antidepressants
Certain
Antidepressants can cause dry mouth, constipation, appetite changes, and other side effects.
Other preventive options
Botox injections are a popular alternative route for migraine prevention. These injections are usually administered once every 3 months, and it takes around 10 to 14 days or more to see improvements.
One
Of course, Botox injections come with certain risks and side effects:
- muscle weakness
- trouble swallowing
- changes in vision
- sagging eyelids
- highly raised eyebrows
Botox injections may also migrate into other areas not intended. Finding a qualified and skilled injector is important.
Neurostimulation medical equipment devices, like Cefaly and GammaCore, are another alternative approach for acute treatment. This newer technology still requires a prescription, but it’s not pharmaceutical treatment. Instead, it’s nerve stimulators that work to relax scalp nerves.
Getting coverage for this type of device through your insurance company is not likely for now.
If migraine attacks affect your quality of life, there are plenty of different medications to explore with your healthcare professional.
While over-the-counter medications can help treat symptoms after they’ve arrived, some people may need to use prescription medications for treatment or prevention. Lifestyle and diet adjustments can also help prevent triggers and offer relief.
As painful and frustrating as migraine management can be, it’s important to stay hopeful. Do what you can to stay informed about new treatments and advancements in migraine management, which are always in development.