An Over-The-Counter Migraine Remedy

A migraine is a type of vascular headache that affects over 29.5 million Americans, according to the National Headache Foundation. Women are affected three times more often by migraines than men. Many things can cause a migraine attack. Stress, hormonal changes, medications, environmental changes and genetics are some of the causes, according to the Mayo Clinic. Migraine attacks typically last four to 72 hours, however, they can last as long as a few weeks. There is no cure for migraine headaches, but there are things that you can do to relieve or prevent them.

OTC Remedies

• There are many over-the-counter (OTC) medications that you can take to treat your migraines. According to the Mayo Clinic, over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen sodium are classified as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs block chemical messengers that cause pain in your body. When taken as directed, most over-the-counter pain relievers can control mild to moderate migraine headaches.

  Try Advil, Motrin, Aleve, Tylenol or aspirin to treat your migraine. Advil and Motrin are brand names for the drug ibuprofen. If you have a history of heart or circulation problems, stroke or lupus, ibuprofen may not be for you. This medication can increase your risk of developing life-threatening heart problems if taken for a long period of time. The same is true of Aleve, the brand name for naproxen sodium.

  Taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be a better over-the-counter remedy for most people. Acetaminophen is not known to increase your risk of heart problems and you can safely take up to 4,000 mg of acetaminophen per day. If you consume more than three alcoholic beverages daily, acetaminophen can increase your risk of liver damage. Do not take this medication if you're a heavy drinker.

  Instead of taking basic over-the-counter pain relievers, you can also try pain relievers that are specifically designed for migraines, such as Excedrin Migraine. According to the Mayo Clinic, these medications typically offer a combination of acetaminophen and aspirin, and also contain caffeine. Caffeine is added to migraine pain relievers to make them more effective.

  Besides these over-the-counter medications, there are other over-the-counter remedies such as herbs, vitamins and minerals that can help you control your migraine:

  Drink about three cups of chamomile or ginger tea to help relieve your migraine. These teas can be purchased at most grocery and health food stores.

  Take feverfew capsules or tablets. Feverfew is a herbal supplement used for centuries to treat migraines and severe headaches.

  Use essential oils such as peppermint, lavender and rosemary to relieve migraine pressure, suggests Holistic Online. Gently massage your forehead and temples in a circular motion with the essential oils. Also try filling a bowl with hot water and adding about six drops of essential oils to the water. Put a towel over your head and lean over the bowl to inhale the vapors. Essential oils can be purchased over-the-counter at most health food and drug stores.

  Other over-the-counter remedies you can try to help your migraines are ginkgo biloba, which can increase your blood circulation, ginseng and St. John's wort.

Alternative and Medical Treatment

• If over-the-counter remedies provide you with no relief, you may want to try alternative treatments. According to the Mayo Clinic, acupuncture, cold packs, massage, and biofeedback, a relaxation technique, may all be effective in treating migraines. Identifying food triggers, getting proper sleep, eating regularly, avoiding stressful situations and other lifestyle changes can prevent some migraines. If you frequently suffer from migraines or you have a family history of them, your doctor may prescribe you medications such as triptans (such as Imitrex), ergot, anti-nausea medications, opiates, anti-seizure drugs and beta-blockers to treat or prevent your migraines. If you have a migraine that lasts longer than a few days, contact your physician. Frequent and severe migraines may be a sign of another health issue.