Migraine headaches are painful and have been known to leave an individual incapacitated for several days. The pain associated with a migraine headache is so intense that a person becomes increasingly sensitive to light and sound which in return leaves them unable to function in an environment where light and noise are common occurrences. The increased sensitivity to light and sound makes it a challenge for one suffering from a migraine headache to function in their workplace effectively, when all they desire is a nice quiet dark place to lie down until the throbbing stops and sanity returns.
Chronic migraine sufferers are looking for a way to prevent a migraine from settling in and making a mess out of their life for seventy two hours. There are several approaches one suffering with intense migraine pain may take in hopes of lessening the duration and intensity level of a migraine. Over-the-counter medicine has its place and works wonderfully at treating some common ailments, but when it comes to severe intense migraine headaches, let’s face it there are times when over the counter medicine does not even come close to scratching the surface. It is important that migraines sufferers realize that medication prescribed for migraine relief is not a cure for migraine headaches themselves but are used for one of two purposes:
- Relieve Symptoms
- Prevent Attacks
A few of the medication that a doctor might prescribe to assist with lessening the occurrence of migraines would be:
- Anti-depressants
- Anti-Seizure Medication
- Prophylactic Medication
Anti-depressant medications
Anti-depressants are often prescribed by doctors for those that suffer from migraine headaches. This form of medication is able to decrease head pain for the migraine sufferer. They can also help increase energy, decrease anxiety, help with alertness and improve depression. Antidepressants are not typically used for migraine patients who have been diagnosed clinically depressed.
Anticonvulsants
Anticonvulsants were originally designed to treat seizures. They are now used to help chronic migraine patients and fibromyalgia sufferers. They are able to affect the chemicals in the brain that send pain signals across the nervous system. By doing this, it helps to reduce pain and help sleep.
Prophylactic Medication
The use of prophylactic medication can be somewhat helpful as well in reducing the reoccurrences of migraine headaches. Prophylactic medicine is taken daily as a preventative medication. Prophylactic medication is not effective when taken once a migraine has developed its job if to help reduce migraine frequency not the pain associated with migraines. A few examples of Prophylactic Medication are:
- Beta Blockers
- Calcium-channel Blockers
- TricyclicAntidepressants
- Antiserotonin Agents
Triptans
Triptans are used as a tool to prevent migraines from being successful in completely immobilizing an individual. Because of triptans unique ability to attach to the serotonin receptors on the blood vessels and the surrounding nerves, they can help reduce and in some cases completely stop migraine headaches from occurring.
Doctors will not go around prescribing triptans for everyone complaining that they suffer from migraines. Triptans are typically only prescribed to migraine sufferers that experience moderate to severe migraine pain and even then other forms of migraine treatment will be discussed and ruled out before a doctor will recommend or suggest a triptan.
Benefits Of Triptans
If used correctly, Triptans will reduce the amount of pain felt and increase in its effectiveness. Triptans should be administered when the early signs and symptoms of a migraine begin to be felt. Taking one after the pain has settled in will reduce the effectiveness and increase the chances for side effects as well as a migraine relapse.
The Negative Effect Of Triptans
Triptans have been useful in the treatment of migraine pain, however there are a few risks involved that those considering treating their migraines with triptans ought to be aware of. The most common side effects associated with triptans are but not limited to:
- Drowsiness
- Facial Reddening
- Fatigue
- Tightening In The Chest
- Tightening In The Throat
- Dizziness
The role Triptans play in releasing migraine pain is due to the affect triptans have on the restriction of blood vessels or the narrowing of them to prevent them from enlarging and creating migraine pain. Though narrowing is part of their job, it can also have a reverse effect by not only narrowing the arteries in the head but also create a narrowing of the arteries in the heart. This becomes increasingly dangerous for those individuals that have already experienced some form of coronary narrowing. The narrowing caused by the triptans could lead to further narrowing resulting in a heart attack or stroke.
Even if you consider yourself a healthy individual, be aware that if your doctor is considering prescribing triptans to help with your migraine pain he or she might prescribe a full body evaluation first in order to insure that everything is ok physically before he or she gives a green light on using triptans.
Tags: Ergots, herbal supplements, Migraine Medications, Migraine Support Formula, Prescription medication, side effects, Triptans
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