Daily Aspirin to Prevent Migraine

Aspirin is an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) that is commonly used to treat moderate pain, fever and inflammation. Aspirin is also sometimes used to prevent angina, heart attacks and strokes. Aspirin's blood-thinning properties make it a good choice for migraine prevention.

Prevent Migraines with Aspirin

• Migraines are chronic headaches that occur when the blood vessels in the head and around the brain constrict and swell. Migraines cause significant pain, and common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity and vision changes. There is no cure for migraines, but they can be treated with certain medications. You can also take steps to prevent migraines. Aspirin can be used to treat migraines, and it can be used to prevent them.
  According to the National Headache Foundation, a study among physicians found that five grains (approximately 325 mg) of aspirin taken every other day not only reduced heart attacks, but also reduced the chance of having a migraine by 10 percent.
  Health Central reports that taking low-dose aspirin on a regular basis can reduce the chance of getting a migraine by about 20 percent. Prescription strength doses of aspirin or other NSAIDs can help to prevent the occurrence of migraines in 50 percent of people who suffer from migraines.

  To prevent migraines, take 81 mg of aspirin (with your doctor's permission) with a full glass of water once a day. The water allows you to swallow the aspirin easily, and it promotes easy absorption in the wall of the stomach. Take aspirin with food only if it will otherwise cause irritation; food can physically block the wall of the stomach and interfere with absorption.

Tips

• Speak to your physician before taking aspirin or any other type of non-prescription medication to prevent migraines. Typically aspirin is taken daily at regular intervals, but your physician may recommend a different regimen for migraine prevention.

  Prevent migraines by avoiding triggers that you know from past experience will set off a migraine, such as certain foods, certain scents or irregular sleeping patterns. Exercise regularly to reduce tension, and if you're a woman whose menstrual cycle triggers a migraine, speak to your physician about taking birth control medication to reduce the amount of estrogen in your body.

  Regular use of aspirin and other NSAIDs can cause stomach irritation, inflammation and bleeding. Stop taking aspirin and contact your physician if you experience bleeding in your stomach or intestines. Symptoms of stomach bleeding include coughing up blood, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, and bloody, black or tarry bowel movements.

  NSAIDs can interact with other types of medications. NSAIDs reduce blood flow to the kidney, which in turn reduces the effectiveness of diuretics, and the kidneys' ability to eliminate certain medications, including lithium and methotrexate, from the body. NSAIDs also decrease the blood's ability to clot, which can cause bleeding issues in patients who take blood thinning medications. NSAIDs can also raise blood pressure in patients who are suffering from high blood pressure.
  Do not take aspirin or any other NSAIDs if you have any of these conditions, unless your physician recommends otherwise.