Energy Is Needed…Migraine Meds Are Not

Living with a chronic condition like migraines can be difficult to manage as there will need to be changes made to one’s lifestyle. One of the first changes needed to be made is the conserving and maintaining of energy throughout the body.  Have you ever heard your doctor say to get lots of rest when you are trying to fight off an infection or cold? This is true for the prophylaxis of migraines as well. Fatigue can hinder you from fight off the symptoms of the migraine condition and keep you from getting things done around the house as well. Now, Vitamin B2 or Riboflavin is a key component in the body’s nutrients and is in charge of regulating and maintaining the energy in your body at an acceptable level. Riboflavin can be found in many natural sources like chicken, leafy greens, soy, nuts, fish, milk, eggs and even mushrooms. Another life change that can prove to be helpful is accepting change itself. Things that you used to do or eat or enjoy might need to be stopped in order for the relief of your migraine symptoms to take place.

Migraine Meds Could Harm You

Medications that are most commonly prescribed to aid in the lessening of the occurrence of migraine attacks are anti-depressants, anti-seizure medications, as well as blood pressure medications. When speaking of migraine prevention often the use of prophylactic medications are prescribed. Prophylactic medication will not be as effective if taken once a migraine has already begun, but will be helpful when taken on a daily basis as a preventative migraine treatment. Some of the most common prophylactic medications are beta blockers, calcium-channel blockers, tricyclic anti-depressants, anti-serotonin agents, as well as anti-convulsants. Each of these prescribed medications for migraine treatment come with a multitude of negative side effects, and when possible should only be used as a last defense in migraine treatment. Triptans are a type of medication that is geared towards relieving the pressure associated with migraines. Triptans are able to constrict blood vessels as well as create an upset in the process which leads to a migraine attack. Triptans are most often prescribed to a migraine sufferer that experiences moderate to severe migraine pain. As notated just like many prescription drugs there are side effects to Triptans. The most common side effects listed from taking Triptans are drowsiness, facial reddening, fatigue, tightening in the chest, tightening in the throat, as well as dizziness. But perhaps the most worrisome side effect from Triptans is that because Triptans aid in migraine treatment by restricting the blood vessels, they don’t only restrict blood vessels in the head but also in other parts of the body such as the heart, which can be of obvious danger.

Person To Person Triggers

Migraine triggers differ from person to person as well as from male to female. For example: A women during her monthly period could experience a decrease in estrogen affecting her normal blood levels resulting in the start of a migraine also referred to as a menstrual migraine. A migraine trigger could be influenced by one’s environment or any physiological upset that can lead to the onset of a headache; those who are prone to headaches are more susceptible. Migraine triggers are difficult to distinguish and very few migraine sufferers are aware that they even exist. One way to help determine which triggers effect you personally are through journaling. It might seem silly to keep a journal but the chances are your medical professional will have you journal before he or she will diagnose you so you might as well get a head start. The following is a list of possible migraine triggers.

• Stress
• Sleep –sleep deprivation, too much sleep or broken up sleep are all connected to headaches.
• Fasting – lack of nutrients to the body can reduce blood sugar levels setting off a series of stress-related hormones.
• Hormones – women during their monthly cycle lose estrogen and the loss of estrogen sets off a chemical imbalance and the result is a migraine.
• Lighting – flashing, bright high intensity and visually stimulating light sources can be a factor in developing painful migraine symptoms.
• Smells – cigarette smoke, perfume and body odor
• Alcohol
• Foods – Aged cheese or Chocolate
• Caffeine – often used to help improve energy levels can have the reverse effect on headache prone people.

Tags: constipation, Depression, emotional stress, Fatigue, migraine triggers, Migraines, natural migraine treatment, strange food cravings, triggers