Weighing The Pros & Cons On Migraine Treatment Options

Migraines are a condition which can completely incapacitate the individual who sufferers from them. When a migraine attack hits often times the migraine sufferer will have no choice but to drag themselves (or if bad enough have someone else take them) to the doctor’s office, urgent care, or even local ER and ask “where are the drugs”?

The thought processes behind this question can absolutely be understood and justified, especially for the individual who is the middle of the excruciating pain and other symptoms that go along with a migraine attack. And while these “drugs” are most certainly useful and at times necessary, migraine sufferers should be aware of the pros and cons that exist for all the options of migraine treatment. Discussed in the following paragraphs will be the comparison between the most commonly prescribed medications versus a more natural approach to migraine prevention and treatment as well as the pros and cons of each migraine treatment.

Triptans & Ergots

Anyone who has made a trip to the local urgent care center or hospital emergency room will most likely recognize the classification of the following two prescription drugs. Most commonly in the case of extreme migraine and the need of instant relief these two classifications, both Triptans and Ergots, have more than likely been used, or in the very least discussed.

• Triptans – this medication works by constricting blood vessels and by upsetting the process which leads to a migraine by disturbing the sequence of chemicals that causes the migraine pain in the first place. Usually only prescribed to moderate or severe migraine sufferers, Triptans works best when given very early on during a migraine attack. However the drawback to using Triptans is that it does tend to cause negative side effects such as; Drowsiness, Facial Reddening, Fatigue, Tightening in the Chest, Tightening in the Throat, and Dizziness. Also, because Triptans work to narrow and constrict the blood vessels in the brain for the relief of migraine pain, they have also been known to constrict other blood vessels that might already have narrowing issues such as in the coronary arteries.
• Ergots – This is another type of prescription medication that also constricts blood vessels in order to relieve migraine pain. The different in Ergots is that while Triptans tend to constrict mostly the vessels in the brain, Ergots have a tendency to restrict blood vessels in the entire body, which makes them much less safer than the use of Triptans. Other negative side effects of Ergots are that they have been known to cause nausea, vomiting, as well as contractions within the uterus, which for obvious reasons makes them very unsafe for pregnant women.

Other Treatment Options

There are other (often times considered alternative) options for migraine treatment. However, it is important to note that these other options that will be listed have been proven in research and studies to provide beneficial relief to the migraine sufferer, therefore each of these options are legitimate migraine treatment choices.

• Acupuncture – A therapy that treats patients by using the insertion and manipulation of needles (usually solid and thing) into the body to help relieve tension and stress.
• Biofeedback – A technique where an individual is taught to consciously control the response to stimulus.
• Chiropractic Care – Usually where spinal manipulation can re-align the vertebrae and eliminate the pain associated with headaches and migraine.
• Massage – A technique where the muscles of the head, neck, shoulders, and back are massaged, in order to release muscle tension.
• Hydrotherapy – A therapy that involves the use of water for pain relief.
• Occupational or Physical Therapy – these forms of therapy can be highly beneficial as migraine treatment options as the use of stretch and exercises can help to keep the body properly aligned and aid in warding off migraines.

Lifestyle Changes

There are many lifestyle changes that can be made that have been proven to help reduce the number of Migraine headaches an individual will experience. Knowing the risk factors, warning signs, as well as the symptoms that are experienced before a migraine takes place are key to preventing future attacks.  Obtaining adequate sleep, avoiding certain trigger foods, and learning to properly deal with stress are just a few of the commonly known lifestyle changes that can aid in migraine prevention.

Herbal Remedies & Supplements

The list of herbal remedies as well as supplements that are used for migraine treatment can be overwhelming at times. However, it is important to understand that much research has been completed that show the “medicines” of ancient times are in fact beneficial in providing relief and migraine treatment. In addition the use of supplements can also be highly valuable to those who are seeking to find migraine treatment. Some of the commonly used herbal remedies for migraine treatment include Ginger, Magnesium, Feverfew, Butterbur, as well as White Willow Bark. Some of the commonly used supplements for migraine treatment are Vitamin B-12, Coenzyme Q10, Melatonin, 5-hydroxytryptophan, or even the Migraine Support Formula are all well known in providing migraine relief and acting as a migraine treatment.

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