Treatment FAQ

what is best treatment for migraines

by Dr. Celia Howe Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Medication

May 10, 2019 · Treatment. Rest in a quiet, dark room. Hot or cold compresses to your head or neck. Massage and small amounts of caffeine. Over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) and aspirin. Prescription medications including triptans, such as ...

Therapy

Abortive or acute medications are used to alleviate or stop the symptoms you experience from migraines. Some of those are over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and acetaminophen. The prescription-strength drugs are stronger …

Self-care

A beta blocker or calcium channel antagonist may be more appropriate for a patient with hypertension, while a tricyclic antidepressant may benefit a migraine patient who is depressed or having difficulty sleeping. Preventive medicines need to be taken daily These medicines should be started at a low dose to minimize side effects.

Nutrition

Oct 11, 2021 · Triptans are commonly used for immediate migraine relief, but advancements in migraine research have led to the discovery of other oral medications, such as gepants, which are medications that target and reduce CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide, a protein that causes inflammation in the brain).

What is the best product for natural migraine relief?

They help reduce the frequency, severity, and duration of migraine attacks. Many different treatments are available for migraine prevention. Some examples of preventive treatments include: CGRP Antibodies. Beta-Blockers. Anticonvulsants. Antidepressants. Botox. Non-Invasive Devices.

How do I make a migraine go away?

Almotriptan ( Axert) Eletriptan ( Relpax) Frovatriptan ( Frova) Naratriptan ( Amerge) Rizatriptan ( Maxalt) Sumatriptan ( Alsuma, Imitrex, Onzetra, Sumavel, Zembrace) Zolmitriptan ( Zomig)

What are some natural therapies for migraine?

Regularity of regimen with regard to meals, hydration, sleep and stress is always helpful in reducing the tendency to migraines; recognizing that this is helpful is straightforward, but actually making the requisite changes in a modern busy life may be more difficult.

How to cure a migraine?

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What is the fastest way to cure a migraine?

In this ArticleTry a Cold Pack.Use a Heating Pad or Hot Compress.Ease Pressure on Your Scalp or Head.Dim the Lights.Try Not to Chew.Hydrate.Get Some Caffeine.Practice Relaxation.More items...•Jun 9, 2020

What is the number one treatment for migraines?

Acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are first-line treatments for mild to moderate migraines, whereas triptans are first-line treatments for moderate to severe migraines. Although triptans are effective, they may be expensive.Feb 15, 2018

What is the safest migraine medicine?

In general, drugs containing ergotamine (also called ergots) are effective second-line therapy for migraines. They were the first anti-migraine drugs available, but they have many side effects, and at most, should be used only 2 days per week. Dihydroergotamine (DHE) is the safest ergot derivative.Jun 15, 2017

What is the latest treatment for migraines?

The newest drugs for the acute treatment of migraine are Nurtec ODT (rimegepant) and Ubrelvy (ubrogepant), both orally-administered calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonists (gepants).Oct 6, 2021

What is the most successful migraine medication?

These are all meant to be taken on an as-needed basis, at the first sign of headache, and they include Sumatriptan (Imitrex); Zolmitriptan (Zomig); Rizatriptan (Maxalt); and Eletriptan (Relpax). These are the most popular and the best working drugs, with the best evidence and safety.Apr 25, 2019

What is the best prophylaxis for migraine?

Propranolol is the most common and one of the most effective first-line medications used for migraine prophylaxis. The starting dose is 40 mg to 160 mg and can go up to 320 mg daily.Oct 21, 2021

What's better for migraine Tylenol or ibuprofen?

Both ibuprofen and acetaminophen are effective and economical treatments for severe or moderate migraine attacks in children. Ibuprofen gave the best relief.

How do you treat migraines naturally?

Speak with a doctor about a treatment plan that works for you.Avoid certain foods. Diet plays a vital role in preventing migraine attacks. ... Apply lavender oil. Inhaling lavender essential oil may ease migraine pain. ... Try acupuncture. ... Look for feverfew. ... Apply peppermint oil. ... Ginger. ... Sign up for yoga. ... Try biofeedback.More items...

What vitamins help migraines?

Limited evidence suggests that the following vitamins and supplements may help reduce the severity or frequency of migraine episodes:vitamin B2 (riboflavin)magnesium.CoQ10.feverfew.vitamin D.melatonin.Jan 26, 2021

What are the 3 migraine injections?

There are four options currently available for injectable migraine treatment:eptinezumab (Vyepti)erenumab (Aimovig)fremanezumab (Ajovy)galcanezumab (Emgality)Feb 17, 2021

How can I get permanent relief from migraine?

At the first sign of a migraine, take a break and step away from whatever you're doing if possible.Turn off the lights. Migraines often increase sensitivity to light and sound. ... Try temperature therapy. Apply hot or cold compresses to your head or neck. ... Drink a caffeinated beverage.

Are The Headaches Dull and Achy?

Tension-type headaches, the most common variety of headaches: 1. May be experienced as a tight band of pain around your head, a dull ache or pressu...

Are The Headaches Throbbing and Severe?

Migraines affect three times more women than men. Migraines may: 1. Cause pain that is moderate to severe and may pulsate 2. Cause nausea, vomiting...

Do You Have Headaches Nearly Every Day?

Chronic tension-type headaches and chronic migraines are both types of chronic daily headaches, which are those that occur 15 days or more a month....

Do The Headaches Recur For Weeks at A time?

Cluster headaches occur off and on for weeks at a time over the course of a few months. These headaches are rare, but most often affect men and smo...

Do You Take Pain Medication More Than 2 Or 3 Days A Week?

Medication-overuse headaches occur from overuse of pain relieving medications for headaches for at least three months. They develop at least 15 day...

Recognize Emergency Symptoms

Seek emergency evaluation if you experience: 1. A very severe, sudden headache 2. Headache after a head injury or fall 3. Fever, stiff neck, rash,...

How to treat migraines?

Treatment might include: Rest in a quiet, dark room.

What are the different types of headaches?

Other types of chronic daily headaches include: Hemicrania continua, a one-sided headache that can feel like a migraine. Primary stabbing headaches, which last for a few seconds and can occur several times throughout the day. Primary exertional headaches, caused by exercise.

How to foil headaches?

The first step in foiling your frequent headaches is determining what type of headache you have. Sometimes headaches are a symptom of another disease or condition; sometimes there's no clear cause. Take a close look at your headache signs and symptoms.

What is the name of the headache that causes a headache on one side of the head?

Other headache types include: Cluster headaches, which cause severe pain on one side of the head and occur off and on for weeks over the course of a few months. Cluster headaches are associated with one or more signs and symptoms, such as tearing, nasal congestion and nasal discharge. These occur on the same side as the pain.

What is a headache that causes a tearing nose?

Chronic paroxysmal hemicranias, sharp, one-sided headaches that can cause tearing or a congested nose. Medication overuse headaches, which occur from overusing pain medications for headaches for at least three months. These headaches occur at least 15 days out of the month. Other headache types include:

How many days a month do headaches occur?

Chronic daily headaches, which occur 15 days or more a month, are one sub-type. Tension-type headaches and migraines are also common sub-types of headaches. They can both be chronic, though they aren't always. Other types of chronic daily headaches include:

What causes headaches on one side of head?

Migraines. Migraines are another common type of headache. They affect three times more women than men. Migraines typically: Cause pain that is moderate to severe. Pulsate. Cause nausea, vomiting, or increased sensitivity to light or sound. Affect only one side of your head, but can affect both sides.

What is the best treatment for migraines?

Preventive Treatments. Since many migraine disorders are more chronic, treatment with preventive agents often offers the best relief to sufferers, but finding an agent that has tolerable side effects and is effective involves a trial and error process.

How to treat migraines?

If you live with migraine, there can be relief. 1 treating the symptoms when they occur (acute intervention) 2 taking medication routinely to reduce the intensity and frequency of migraine attacks (preventive or prophylactic medications)

What is CGRP in the brain?

Calcitonin gene-related peptide, or CGRP, is a neurotransmitter found in both the peripheral and central nervous systems. It has been shown to be released during a migraine attack. It carries pain signals to the brain, particularly of the trigeminal nervous system.

How long can you keep a migraine medication?

**If a preventive treatment works well, that medication can then be continued for several months (usually 6-12 months). With better symptom control one may want to wean down the dose. When stopping a preventive medicine, there is a risk of the headaches returning. It is unusual for migraine frequency suddenly to bounce back again during weaning down. Migraine illness varies during a lifetime and the use of preventive medication may have to be adjusting for those variations.

What nutrients do migraine sufferers have?

Studies show that migraine sufferers have lower brain and blood levels of micronutrients (riboflavin, magnesium and coenzyme Q10) than nonmigraineurs (Hershey, 1999; Hershey, 2007; Mauskop, 1998). A deficit of these nutrients could play a role in how well nerves can function.

What are the uses of a migraine medicine?

These drugs were first used for many other medical purposes, such as prevention of high blood pressure, depression or epilepsy. These medicines act on the transmission of information in our nervous system and, at the low doses needed for preventing migraine, they usually have little or no other effects.

What is the effect of NSAIDs on pain?

NSAIDs block the synthesis of prostaglandins. NSAIDs block the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX) from synthesizing prostaglandins, which cause pain and inflammation. NSAIDs may not only reduce pain transmissions through these nerves, but reduce the generation of further cortical spreading depressions.

An update on new options for effective migraine treatment

This is an exciting time for people with migraine. New, promising treatment options are coming out, and these breakthroughs offer hope for better migraine symptom relief and prevention.

New Treatment Options

In this webinar, Dr. Jessica Ailani, the director of the MedStar Georgetown Headache Center in the Washington, D.C., area, and Dr. Stewart Tepper, a professor of neurology at Dartmouth in New Hampshire and director of the Headache Center at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, shared updates on new migraine treatments. Drs.

New Acute Migraine Treatments

Triptans are commonly used for immediate migraine relief, but advancements in migraine research have led to the discovery of other oral medications, such as gepants, which are medications that target and reduce CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide, a protein that causes inflammation in the brain).

Preventive Treatments

Anti-CGRP treatments include injections specifically designed to bind to or block CGRP to prevent migraine attacks. There are currently three available as a self-administered injection and an intravenous infusion called eptinezumab (VYEPTI™.) Eptinezumab is a monoclonal antibody infusion that targets CGRP.

What are the three strategies used to manage migraines?

Three strategies are often used to manage migraine: abortive, rescue, and preventive. Learn more below. Abortive & Rescue. Rescue and abortive medications and devices fall into the acute migraine treatment category. They work by helping you find relief once a migraine starts.

What is the goal of preventive medicine?

Preventive medications and devices may be an option. The goal of preventive treatments is to stop a migraine before it starts. They help reduce the frequency, severity, and duration of migraine attacks. Many different treatments are available for migraine prevention. Learn more about preventive treatments.

How does abortive medicine work?

They work by helping you find relief once a migraine starts. Typically, an abortive medication is taken at the first signs of a migraine attack . A rescue medication is usually taken when your initial treatment does not work. Learn more about abortive & rescue treatments.

Can my grandmother treat migraines?

It’s Not Your Grandma’s Migraine Treatment. Fifty years ago, your grandmother did not have as many options to treat her migraine. Fast forward to today. Many important developments are occurring in the field of migraine treatment. And that means there are more options for you!

Does migraine work for everyone?

Migraine is different for everyone, so treatments that work for one person may not work for you. It is important to understand all of your options, and discuss them with your doctor or specialist.

What is the best treatment for migraine headaches?

Migraines can be treated with two types of drugs: abortive and preventive. Abortive: The goal of abortive treatment is to stop a migraine once it starts. Abortive medications stop a migraine ...

What is the best medication for migraines?

Preventive treatment medications include the following: Medications used to treat high blood pressure: beta-blockers ( propranolol, timolol, metoprolol) calcium channel blockers ( verapamil)

What is a Nerivio?

Nerivio, a wireless remote electrical neuromodulation device that is self-applied to the upper-arm and should be used in the home environment at the onset of migraine headache. .

How to stop migraines?

Abortive medications can be taken by self-injection, mouth, skin patch, or nasal spray. These forms of medication are especially useful for people who have nausea or vomiting related to their migraine, and they work quickly.

What is the name of the device that sends electrical pulses through the forehead to stimulate a nerve linked with migraine

These include: Cefaly , a small headband device that sends electrical pulses through the forehead to stimulate a nerve linked with migraines. Spring TMS or eNeura sTM, a device for people who have an aura before migraine headaches.

Can triptans help with headaches?

The triptans are used only to treat headache and do not relieve pain from back problems, arthritis, menstruation, or other conditions. People with certain medical conditions should not take these medications. The following drugs are sometimes used for nausea related to migraine headaches, in addition to migraine treatment: ...

How do I treat migraines?

There are three broad approaches to treating chronic migraine: lifestyle and trigger management, acute treatments (i.e. those taken during attacks or exacerbations of chronic pain), and preventive treatments (medication or other interventions designed to reduce the tendency to have attacks).

What are the symptoms of migraines?

The pain of migraine is typically accompanied by other features such as nausea, dizziness, extreme sensitivity to lights, noises, and smells, lack of appetite, disturbances of bowel function, and so on.

How long does a migraine last?

Chronic migraine, a condition characterized by the experience of migrainous headache on at least 15 days per month, is highly disabling. Patients with chronic migraine present to primary care, are often referred for management to secondary care, and make up a large proportion of patients in specialist headache clinics.

What influences the choice of treatment?

The choice of treatment can be influenced to varying degrees by the pattern of headaches, patient comorbidity, tolerability, teratogenicity, potential side effects, ease of use and patient choice. Preventive treatments should be commenced at a low dose to minimize the possibility of developing side effects.

What does a postdrome feel like?

A higher proportion experience a postdrome during which they may experience grumbling headache, a bruised feeling in the head, fatigue and nausea, and a continuing sensitivity to lights, noises, smells and movement. Take a detailed history. Accurate history taking is vitally important in the diagnosis of migraine.

What is the aura?

Most aura is visual, consisting of a combination of positive visual phenomena (floaters, flashes of light, moving or expanding zig-zag patterns, and so on) and negative phenomena (loss of vision causing blind spots).

Can NDPH be clear?

Make a diagnosis. In cases of chronic headaches, the phenotype is often not clear.

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Diagnosis

Treatment

Clinical Trials

Alternative Medicine

Your provider will work with you to develop a care plan that may include one or more of these treatment options.
Treatment helps control symptoms and prevent attacks.
Medication

Analgesics: Used for mild migraines.

Ibuprofen . Acetaminophen


Triptans: Triptans make blood vessels constrict and block pain pathways in the brain.

Sumatriptan . Naratriptan


Ergots: Effective in those whose pain lasts for more than 48 hours and effective when taken soon after migraine symptoms start.

Ergotamine . Dihydroergotamine


Antinausea medications: Used when nausea is obstructing the activity of the drugs to treat migraine.

Chlorpromazine . Metoclopramide


Glucocorticoids: Used with other medications to improve pain relief.

Prednisone . Dexamethasone


Beta blockers: Can reduce frequency and intensity of migraines.

Propranolol . Metoprolol tartrate . Verapamil . Lisinopril


Antidepressants: Alleviate migraines by affecting levels of different brain chemicals such as serotonin (which can constrict blood vessels and reduce inflammation).

Amitriptyline . Venlafaxine . Valproate . Topiramate


Opioid medications: Used only when other drugs do not work because these are habit forming.

Naloxone


Anticonvulsants: Calm overactive nerves in the brain and ease symptoms.

Carbamazepine . Divalproex . Diazepam . Ethosuximide

Therapy

Transcutaneous supraorbital nerve stimulation (t-SNS):Electrical stimulation of the nerves to prevent migraine.

Learning to cope (LTC):Gradual exposure to triggers to reduce your sensitivity to them.

Self-care

Always talk to your provider before starting anything.

  • Practice the right sleep-wake cycle
  • Eat your meals at the right time
  • Learn to manage stress
  • Avoid strenuous activities, including intense exercises

Nutrition

Foods to eat:

  • Whole grain
  • Fruit and vegetables

Foods to avoid:

  • Avoid food which triggers such as Alcohol, aged cheeses, caffeine, and chocolate
  • Saturated and trans fats

Specialist to consult

Neurologist
Specializes in treating diseases of the nervous system, which includes the brain, the spinal cord, and the nerves.
Primary care physician
Specializes in the acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health.

Preparing For Your Appointment

  • If you have migraines or a family history of migraines, a doctor trained in treating headaches (neurologist) will likely diagnose migraines based on your medical history, symptoms, and a physical and neurological examination. If your condition is unusual, complex or suddenly becom…
See more on mayoclinic.org

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