|  | Conditions Treatments | Migraines

The Best Cure for Migraines

Migraine is not just a headache: For millions, migraine attacks can be debilitating for a few hours up to three days with severe, throbbing head pain often on one side and accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. Luckily, there are many ways to help stop a migraine attack and to manage life with migraine disease. Promising new treatments are being developed and researched as well.

  1. Traditional Treatment

    • It is recommended that you consult your doctor first and foremost to help treat your migraine attacks. One of the first steps she might take is to help you determine what causes your migraines. According to HealthCentral.com, common triggers include changes in weather or air pressure, light, hormone fluctuations or menstrual cycles, certain foods, certain smells, motion, travel, or changes in sleep or dietary patterns.

      Over-the-counter painkillers sometimes can yield results against migraines, HealthCentral.com says. The FDA has approved Excedrin Migraine, Advil Migraine and Motrin Migraine Pain for use on migraine head pain. Sleep, cooling pads or ice packs can also help with the pain.

      Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS) are often used to treat migraines, along with COX-2 Inhibitors, which have similar effects but less tendency to upset the patient's stomach.

      Many doctors and patients see positive results with the use of triptans, which stop a migraine by impacting serotonin, nerves and blood vessels. The most popular triptan is sumatriptan (Imitrex), which has the longest track record of any of the triptans, HealthCentral.com says. Some of the other popular triptans are almotriptan (Axert), zolmitriptan (Zomig), naratriptan (Naramig, Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), frovatriptan (Frova), and eletriptan (Relpax). When taken quickly, triptans can eliminate migraines within two hours in 80 percent of cases, medicinenet.com reports.

      Other medications used to treat migraine include existing drugs developed for treatment of hypertension, depression, epilepsy or Alzheimer's disease. Your doctor can discuss potentially helpful medications with you and determine your best options.

    Natural Treatments

    • Some simple lifestyle changes might help you prevent migraine attacks altogether, HealthCentral.com says. Start by keeping a diary of your activities and everything that seems to cause a migraine, especially foods. Some common triggers include caffeine, chocolate and alcohol.

      Otherwise, eat a well-balanced, healthy diet, with meals at regular intervals, and try to avoid stress in your life. Exercise regularly, include yoga or other relaxation techniques, and try supplements such as fish oil, riboflavin (vitamin B2), magnesium, butterbur and feverfew.

    New Treatment

    • A cosmetic forehead lift has shown promise in helping to cure migraines, according to an article published by United Press International. Forty-nine patients had a surgical procedure comparable to a cosmetic removal of crow's feet, while a control group of 26 patients were told they'd had the procedure when they really had not. A year later, 83 percent of the actual surgery patients said they'd experienced a 50 percent reduction in their headaches.

      Meanwhile, according to headaches.org, potential treatments are being researched to give migraine sufferers plenty of new options in the future, including a drug delivered via an inhalation device for faster results; a skin patch; nasal powders; and other new medications and delivery systems.

Migraines - Related Articles