Finding Migraine Treatments that Work for You
If you have ever experienced a migraine headache, you know how debilitating the pain can be. In addition to the headache itself, you might also have other symptoms like nausea, vomiting and increased sensitivity to light and sound. This is why many who suffer from frequent migraines end up losing numerous days of work or school and see a decreased quality of life overall. It is also why finding effective migraine treatments is so important to these people. If you are one of the many who are trying to deal with recurring migraines, it may be time to educate yourself about your options in migraine treatment.
Prevention
One of the most effective types of migraine treatments is to prevent the headaches before they begin. To be able to anticipate when a migraine will occur, you must take the time to learn what your triggers are so that you can avoid them. For some people, the trigger might be hormone changes, which explains why many women will experience the excruciating pain of these headaches around the time of their menstrual cycle. For others, food, stress and exposure to bright lights can bring on a migraine. Changes in sleep patterns, weather changes and physical exertion may also be triggers of migraine headaches. By learning what you triggers are, you can avoid them as much as possible to avoid the onset of the headache in the first place.
Home Treatment
Once the pain has begun, it is time to move to migraine treatments that will alleviate the pain and bring some relief. Many find that lying in a dark room with a cool compress on the forehead will be the best migraine treatment. Sometimes taking an over the counter pain reliever at the first sign of a migraine will successfully relieve the pain. Other migraine sufferers may find out that alternative therapy like biofeedback, acupuncture or massage will help to keep migraines at bay. It is also important to exercise daily to relieve stress and eat a healthy diet to minimize the effects of migraines. If these home remedies and prevention options don't do the trick for you, your doctor has other choices that you can consider.
Medication
There are two types of medication that are used as migraine treatment; a preventative medicine that might be taken daily to reduce the frequency or intensity of the migraine headaches and a pain medication that will address the symptoms once they begin. Sometimes anti-nausea medication is given as well to help relieve this annoying symptom as well. The good news is that your doctor has effective options in migraine treatment available, so make an appointment if you find yourself suffering from these frequent, debilitating headaches.
