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Ritalin Migraine Treatment

Migraines are chronic headaches that can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days. With some sufferers, the headaches are accompanied by a visual aura in the form of flashing lights, wavy lines or blind spots. Migraines can also be accompanied by numbness, confusion and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Medications can help alleviate symptoms and reduce the frequency of migraines, but there is no cure.

  1. Symptoms

    • According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, symptoms of migraine include moderate to severe pain, often on just one side of the head; pain that increases with physical activity; nausea; visual aura; and sensitivity to light and sound.

    Causes

    • Until recently, migraines were thought to be a result of blood vessel (vascular) disturbances, but new research suggests that the real culprit could be an underlying central nervous system disorder. Stimulants, like Ritalin, affect the central nervous system by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. The efficacy of Ritalin in treating migraine is currently under investigation, according to the Dr. Lawrence D. Robbins, assistant professor of neurology at Rush Medical College.

    Risk Factors

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, migraine triggers include hormonal changes in women, particularly with the hormone estrogen; foods and drinks, particularly cheese, red wine, chocolate, caffeine and monosodium glutamate; stress; sensory stimuli; lack of sleep; overexertion; and certain medications. Risk factors vary from person to person.

    Complications

    • All of the complications listed by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, are associated with treatment. Over-use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and aspirin can cause stomach bleeding and ulcers. Rebound headaches are a risk if you take pain medication over a long period of time or more than nine times per month. Potentially lethal serotonin syndrome can occur if you mix triptan migraine medications, such as sumatriptan (Imitrex) or zolmitriptan (Zomig), with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as Prozac and Zoloft.

    Treatment

    • Traditional migraine treatments include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), triptans and opiates. As experts learn more about the neurological causes of migraines, new treatments are being developed. In 2009, Robbins conducted a study into the efficacy of stimulants on migraineurs and found that they were beneficial for a few.

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