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The Best Remedy for Migraine Relief

Migraines are a common and sometimes debilitating ailment that may hinder daily activities and tasks. Depending on how severe your migraines are, getting up to use the restroom may even seem like an unmanageable task. There are various ways to relieve a migraine, but trying just one doesn't always seem to work. One of the best ways to treat a migraine is to combine multiple remedies that have worked for her before.

  1. Medications

    • The first thing to do when you feel the onset of a migraine is to make your way to the medicine cabinet and get a pain reliever. There are many options when choosing a pain reliever.

      According to HealthCentral.com the FDA has approved three over-the-counter medications specifically for migraine relief: Excedrin Migraine, Advil Migraine and Motrin Migraine Pain. Excedrin Migraine contains acetaminophen, aspirin and caffeine, which are all considered effective against migraines. According to HealthCentral.com, studies have reported significant relief in nearly 70 percent of migraine patients who took Excedrin Migraine.

      Other options include a variety of over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen, or acetaminophen.

      Caffeine can also help treat migraines if it is not what triggered the migraine.

    Self-Care Tips

    • While waiting for your pain medication to provide relief, you can practice self-care tips that can help speed the process, or at least provide relaxation.

      Grab a washcloth, soak it in cold water and apply to your head. Since the cause of migraines is blood rushing to the head, restricting the blood vessels may slow the process and may lead to relief.

      Go into a secluded room, turn off all the lights and, if it is daytime, close the blinds. Pick out one of your favorite TV shows, or movies to distract you from the pain and help you relax. Another cause for migraines is stress, and watching something funny or lighthearted can help release the stress and thus relieve the migraine.

      Snuggle up in a blanket on your couch or bed and enjoy the relaxation and time to yourself despite the pain of a migraine. If after four hours or more these remedies do not work, you may take another pain reliever if the directions on the bottle permit and repeat the rest of the steps.

    Warnings

    • No matter what medication you choose, it is important to only take the recommended dose. If you suffer from severe or frequent migraines be sure to get medical attention before trying any of these steps.

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