Migraine Journals And Tryptamine Drugs

When pushing through and trying to treat the chronic syndrome of migraines, you might want to consider journaling. I know what you might be thinking: I don’t keep a diary…my life is too busy for that. Well, I do recommend that you take the time to keep a log or journal of your day. This will help fight the migraine condition by discovering chronic trigger for the syndrome as well as it gives you insight on how you can fit a migraine treatment option into your life. Journaling will also give those around you knowledge on what treatment options will work best for you such as you doctor or nurse practitioner. Some people learn best from demonstration or through a classroom lecture with no pictures at all. But one way to unconsciously remember something is to write it down. So try it out, write down events in your day and see what help it brings you.

Triptans: An Skeptical Treatment

Triptans are a collection of tryptamine-based drugs. Tryptamine is a monoamine alkaloid that can be found in certain vegetation such as plants, fungi and animals. 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. 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.

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 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.

Setting The Stage For A Migraine

A migraine headache moves through four distinct stages and during each stage the migraine becomes worse. Learning the four stages, their symptoms and progression can help lessen the migraine duration and here is how.

• Stage 1 Prodrome – The first stage is the least amount of pain and by far the most critical. During this first stage the migraine patient will endure symptoms such as fatigue, obsessive yawning, food cravings and irritability. When symptoms such as these show up it is time to implement a migraine treatment plan.
• Stage 2 Aura – The second migraine stage is known as the aura stage and this stage plays tricks on the victim’s sight. Blurred vision, dizziness and black spots behind the eyes are often connected with this migraine stage. Not every migraine victim will experience the aura stage but when they do they know that the worst is right around the corner.
• Stage 3 Headache – The headache stage is by far the most painful. It is during this third migraine stage that the symptoms begin to pour out such as nausea, vomiting constipation and cognitive confusion. The headache stage often last 2-3 days.
• Stage 4 Postdrome – The fourth and final stage is the Postdrome stage. During this last migraine stage the migraine victims have time to recoup. Symptoms such as muscle weakness and mild head pain might linger for a day or two but then life goes back to normal.

Tags: Ergots, herbal supplements, Migraine Medications, Migraine Support Formula, Prescription medication, side effects, Triptans