Treatment FAQ

when do migraines need preventative treatment

by Deshaun Baumbach Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Some indications for preventive therapy include four or more headaches a month, eight or more headache days a month, debilitating headaches, and medication-overuse headaches. Identifying and managing environmental, dietary, and behavioral triggers are useful strategies for preventing migraines.Jan 1, 2019

Medication

Migraine treatment is aimed at stopping symptoms and preventing future attacks. ... Medications used to relieve migraine pain work best when taken at the first sign of an oncoming migraine — as soon as signs and symptoms of a migraine begin. Medications that can be used to treat it include: ... Cognitive behavioral therapy.

Therapy

Your doctor may advise you to take medicine every day to prevent migraines if: You get bad migraines often. Your migraines are so painful that you're not able to do your daily activities. You use medicine more than twice a week to stop a migraine after it has started. You have tried medicines to stop a migraine, but they don't help.

Self-care

  • Nutritional supplements like magnesium, CoQ10 and riboflavin. Be sure to take these according to the recommendations of your healthcare provider.
  • Medications to lower your blood pressure. ...
  • Antiseizure drugs. ...
  • Antidepressants. ...
  • Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) monoclonal antibodies. ...
  • Botox® injections. ...

Nutrition

Natural remedies are drug-free methods of reducing ... The chemical menthol found in peppermint oil may help prevent migraine episodes, although there’s a very limited amount of research.

What is the best migraine prevention therapy?

When should you take preventative medications for migraines?

What are some treatments that could prevent migraines?

Is there a natural cure for migraine?

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Is there a preventative medication for migraines?

Preventive medication is aimed at reducing how often you get a migraine, how severe the attacks are and how long they last. Options include: Blood pressure-lowering medications. These include beta blockers such as propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran XL, others) and metoprolol tartrate (Lopressor).

What is the best preventative for migraine?

Preventive drugs with the best proven efficacy for migraine are certain beta-blockers, divalproex sodium, and topiramate. The chosen drug should have the best risk-to-benefit ratio for the individual patient and, where possible, take advantage of the drug's side effect profile.

Do migraine preventatives work?

Anti-seizure Drugs They have been shown to work well in helping limit the number of migraines you get. Those used for treating migraines include gabapentin (Neurontin), topiramate (Qudexy XR, Topamax, Topamax Sprinkle, Trokendi XR) and valproate (Depakene).

Should I see a neurologist for my migraines?

If you have severe headaches or accompanying symptoms that are disrupting your life, it might be a good idea to see a neurologist. Consider making an appointment with a neurologist if: Your headache is continuous for more than a day or two. Your headaches tend to come on suddenly.

How do you permanently cure a migraine?

Consider the basics:Be consistent. Eat at about the same time every day.Don't skip meals. Fasting increases the risk of migraines.Keep a food journal. Keeping track of the foods you eat and when you experience migraines can help identify potential food triggers.Avoid foods that trigger migraines.

Should I take migraine medicine daily?

Your doctor may advise you to take medicine every day to prevent migraines if: You get bad migraines often. Your migraines are so painful that you're not able to do your daily activities. You use medicine more than twice a week to stop a migraine after it has started.

Is there a monthly injection for migraines?

Aimovig, a new kind of migraine drug, is injected once a month. The medicine reduced the number of migraines in clinical studies reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration.

Diagnosis

Treatment

Clinical Trials

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Karthikeya T M
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.

Alternative Medicine

Preparing For Your Appointment

  • Migraine treatment is aimed at stopping symptoms and preventing future attacks. Many medications have been designed to treat migraines. Medications used to combat migraines fall into two broad categories: 1. Pain-relieving medications.Also known as acute or abortive treatment, these types of drugs are taken during migraine attacks and are designed ...
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