Diagnosing & Treating Migraines

Once the causes of a migraine as well as the triggers, symptoms and stages of migraines are more fully understood it is important for migraine treatment that proper diagnosis and plan for migraine relief begin to take place.

Proper Diagnosis of a Migraine

There is a process which takes place during the diagnosis of a migraine. Normally physicians will take a look at family medical history as well as ask questions about the symptoms that they have been experiencing. It is important that a proper diagnosis is completed by a qualified physician to rule out any other complications that might occur. Normally test such as electroencephalography (EEG) computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or even spinal taps may be completed in order to examine for:

• Bleeding in the skull
• Blood clots in the membranes that cover the brain
• Stroke
• Blood Vessels that could be dilated in the brain
• The Amount of Cerebrospinal Fluid (either too much or too little)
• Membranes of the brain and/or spinal cord that could be Inflamed
• Nasal Sinus Blockage
• Tumors
• Postictal Headaches (occur after a stroke and/or seizures)

Once these common tests have been completed and these other conditions have been ruled out as the cause of the migraine then a physician will usually diagnose the occurrence of migraine headaches when the migraines follow these common criteria:

• The occurrence of 5 or more attacks
• The durations being on average 4 hours to 3 days
• The presence of at least 2 of the following symptoms: moderate to severe pain, pulsating quality, unilateral location, and/or aggravation by or avoidance of routine activity.
• The presence of at least 1 additions symptom such as nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, or sensitivity to sound.

Migraine Relief

It is important for migraine sufferers to find options for attaining migraine relief. Estimates show that migraines can cause losses up into the millions and billions when migraine sufferers begin to miss work because of their migraine attacks. If proper migraine relief can be achieved then not only do the migraine sufferers reach migraine relief (which is the main goal) but also the workforce and their incomes are far less affected. When properly given migraine relief and treatment can provide relief of the symptoms and the head pain as well as aid in preventing future attacks.

Traditional Medicine

The use of traditional or prescription medications in order to find migraine relief is fairly common. When it comes to prescription medications used for migraine relief there are two types of medications used, either abortive medications or preventative medications.

• Abortive Medications are used to stop a migraine in its tracks once one has begun in order to achieve migraine relief. Most often these medications need to be taken as soon as the symptoms of a migraine being to occur in order to be the most effective at providing migraine relief. Abortive medications include the use of Triptans which specifically target the symptoms of the headache in a migraine and do not relieve pain from other conditions such as back problems, arthritis, or menstruation, etc. Other abortive medications may include drugs for nausea, and yet others that seem to aid in providing migraine relief are medication such as analgesics, narcotics, as well as barbiturates. The problem with some of these abortive medications that are used for migraine relief is that they can be habit forming therefore these drugs should be used only when all other forms of treatment have been non effective in providing migraine relief.
• Preventative Medications is a type of treatment that is used for migraine relief when the migraine occurrences take place more frequently. Usually preventative medications are used for migraine sufferers who experience at least one migraine per week, or for those individuals who when they do experience migraine they are sever in nature. Preventative medications for migraine relief include Antidepressants, Antiseizure, Botox, as well as medications that are used to treat high blood pressure (such as beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers).

Non Traditional Treatments for Migraine Relief

If traditional medication for migraine relief is something that certain individuals might want to avoid because of the many side effects that are caused by them, they should not become discouraged. There are other non-traditional treatments that can in fact provide migraine relief to those who are seeking it. Some of the most commonly non-traditional treatments that are used for migraine relief are:

• Supplements can be effective at providing migraine relief. Some of the most commonly used supplements use for migraine relief are Vitamin B-12, Coenzyme Q10, Melatonin, 5-Hydroxytryptohpan, or even supplemental formulas such as the Migraine Support Formula.
• Herbal Ingredients can also be effective in providing migraine relief. Some the most commonly used herbal remedies for migraine relief are White Willow Bark, Ginger, Feverfew, Butterbur, as well as Magnesium.
• Therapies that can aid in providing migraine relief can include the use of Acupuncture, Biofeedback, Chiropractic Care, Massage, Hydrotherapy, as well as the use of Occupational or Physical Therapy.

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