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Alka-Seltzer Treatment for Migraine Headaches

Alka-Seltzer® is a brand of a series of over-the-counter medications. It is most known for relieving head and stomach pain, which are the two areas most associated with migraines--a throbbing head and nausea.

  1. Pain Relief

    • The original Alka-Seltzer® contains aspirin, which is an anti-inflammatory pain reliever. Although aspirin is not strong enough for every migraine, some people find that over-the-counter pain medications like aspirin can offer relief.

    Stomach Relief

    • Alka-Seltzer® also contains sodium bicarbonate and citric acid, which produces the telltale fizz of the tonic. Sodium bicarbonate is known best for neutralizing stomach acid, which is not a typical migraine symptom, but the carbon dioxide gas from the fizz can relieve nausea.

    Alka-Seltzer® Wake-Up Call!

    • Alka-Seltzer® Wake-Up Call!includes a high dose of aspirin and caffeine to ease morning head pain. Caffeine is often included in pain medicines because it enhances the effect of them. Caffeine also constricts the swollen blood vessels that are causing the migraine pain.

    Alka-Seltzer® Cold

    • Like many cold medications, Alka-Seltzer® Cold contains a decongestant to ease sinus issues, like a stuffy nose. Decongestants also can constrict blood vessels offering some relief to migraine sufferers.

    Warnings

    • Like any over-the-counter pain medication, Alka-Seltzer® is best used occasionally for headaches. Any pain medication taken daily for headaches can, ironically, cause more of them in what are known as rebound headaches.

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