PREVENTING MIGRAINE HEADACHES

If you have ever had a migraine headache, you know the excruciating pain, nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms that are par for the course. Sometimes, people with migraines just tolerate the symptoms and find a cool, dark place to sleep it off. Others have such a difficult time with the pain and other symptoms that they need something to help or even prevent migraines from occurring. These people are candidates for the migraine medications that are available.

Several types of migraine medicines can help prevent the intense pain of migraines, including:

• Antidepressants such as amitriptyline and nortriptyline, tricyclic antidepressants which have been shown to be effective in preventing migraines.
• Anticonvulsants such as Depakote (valproic acid) and Topamax (topiramate)
• Beta-blockers such as Inderal (propranolol) and Toprol (metoprolol), which relax blood vessels
• Calcium channel blockers such as Cardizem (dilatizem) and verapamil, which reduce the amount of narrowing (constriction) of the blood vessels
• Botox (botulinum toxin), which can be injected in small quantities around the face and scalp; when it works, it can be repeated in 3 months.

CONSIDERATIONS IN CHOOSING MIGRAINE PREVENTION DRUGS
Should you consider migraine prevention drugs? Read these guidelines if you think you may be a candidate:
• You have at least three moderate-to-severe headache days per month
• Your migraines are seriously affecting your quality of life
• You are taking migraine painkillers very frequently
• You have moderate-to-severe headache pain that is disabling and interfering with your life despite treatment
• Your current migraine drugs are not providing sufficient relief
• You are having side effects from current headache drugs
• You prefer to take a preventive approach
• You don’t mind taking a daily medication
• You have uncommon migraine conditions, like prolonged aura

Now, if your migraines are not severe or if you have them infrequently, you probably would not want to take migraine preventive medications. After all, these drugs do come with their own set of side effects, which can pose other problems on top of the migraine headache. Here are some other reasons for not getting the prescription medications.

• Your headaches are controlled by drugs like NSAIDS (anti-inflammatories like Aleve or Motrin) or triptans
• You don’t have side effects from those drugs
• You don’t take those drugs frequently
• You’re not ready to take a daily migraine medication
• You have other health conditions that do not allow you to take preventive drugs
• You cannot tolerate side effects of preventive drugs
• There might be negative drug interactions with other medications you are taking
• You prefer a non-drug treatment (like biofeedback)

OTHER METHODS TO PREVENT MIGRAINES
Migraine triggers are an interesting point about migraines. Many times, patients can control the frequency and severity of their migraines just by paying attention to their migraine triggers. A migraine trigger can be food, weather conditions, environmental, or substances that play on the senses such as smells or bright, flickering lights. By knowing what triggers your migraines, you have the control over them.
So how do you find out about what brings on your migraines? Simple. Keep a migraine diary for about three months. Write down daily what you consume, what you did that day, so on. When a migraine occurs, write down the severity, when it occurred, how long it lasted, what helped relieve the symptoms, and what you did to cause it to go away. If you are diligent with this diary, you will discover a pattern between your migraines and, let’s say, the foods you eat. Then eliminate those suspect foods or whatever from your daily life and see if your migraines become more infrequent. Doctors usually need this type of record, too, to help them treat your condition properly so you may as well have one ready in case you decide you need the meds.

Alternative methods such as acupuncture, massage, and biofeedback are other ways to help prevent migraines. Which ones really depend on your body’s response. Some people have great results from acupuncture and others say it just doesn’t work for them. You are the only one who can judge whether or not a treatment is working for you. However, they are worth a shot, especially if you are unable or not willing to take prescription drugs.
Nutritional supplements are perhaps the best way to help prevent migraines. There are several herbs and other substances that do help with migraine frequency and severity. Some can be taken without fear of side effects. Others can and do have certain side effects if the person taking the natural ingredient has allergies to certain substances.

One example of this is the herb feverfew. Although this herb has indicated relief from migraines in studies, it does have possible several side effects such as abdominal pain, gas, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and nervousness. People with allergies to chamomile, ragweed, or yarrow should not take feverfew and it may increase bleeding time, so it should not be taken by people with bleeding disorders or two to three weeks before or after surgery.

However, other substances like 5-HTP and magnesium supplements have also been shown to help with migraines and these do not have the side effects of some of the herbs.

The main thing to understand is that you don’t have to suffer with migraine headaches. There are methods and meds out there that can help you handle the situation and perhaps prevent migraines from occurring. Look into the different options available and always consult your doctor before considering any nutritional supplements, as these may interfere with any medications you are taking.

Tags: blurred vision, dizziness, head pain, lightheadedness, migraine symptoms, nausea, vomiting