Dealing And Managing Migraine Headaches
Do you often suffer from migraine headaches? If so, you know just how migraine can affect your day. The pain can be so severe that it can practically cripple you and render you unable to perform the whole day, whether you are at work or at home.
People with migraine often have migraine attacks twice or more a month. Like other migraine sufferers, your primary goal is to seek relief fast as soon as you recognize a migraine coming on. This article will give you a few tips on how you can get rid of migraine pain.
Migraine attacks are usually preceded by auras. Auras can be bright lights flashing, or dark spots or zigzag lines in your field of vision. People who experience auras know immediately that a migraine attack is imminent. Over-the-counter NSAIDS are best taken as soon as an aura is recognized. NSAIDS include Advil and Motrin and they help relieve mild migraine pain. In most cases, lying down in a room that is dark and quiet, as well as placing a cool cloth on the forehead, provide comfort from the migraine pain.
It is best to visit your doctor if you experience severe migraines. This is because NSAIDS like Advil and Motrin are not going to give you the relief you need. You will need stronger migraine medications such as Imitrex. Imitrex is the first drug created specifically for treating migraines. The drug acts like serotonin, binding itself to the brain's serotonin receptors. This causes blood vessels to constrict, ultimately relieving the pressure being exerted on the brain that's causing the migraine pain. Other drugs similar to Imitrex have been developed, most of them with fewer number of side effects such as rebound headaches.
Migraine sufferers also tend to suffer from nausea. Thus, in addition to migraine medications, they may also be prescribed to take anti-emetic drugs like Phenegan, Reglan and Compazine. While these drugs do not do anything to relieve migraine pain, they do prevent nausea and vomiting that accompany migraine. Anti-emetic drugs usually cause migraine sufferers to become relaxed and sleepy, helping the migraine medication to work better and cut back on how long the migraine lasts.
If you know what causes your migraines, you will become better equipped on how to prevent their occurrence. Start the habit of recording possible migraine triggers. For instance, many migraine sufferers experience a migraine after smelling certain perfumes or being exposed to flowers. There those whose migraines are triggered be certain foods. You need to be able to identify what triggers your migraines.
Talk to your doctor about preventative medications available for migraine and see if these medications are appropriate for you. There are certain cardiovascular medications and antidepressants that are effective in preventing migraines.