Migraines are severe, painful headaches that may last for hours or even days. They can cause nausea and an extreme throbbing of the head. Light and sound sensitivity are normally prevalent with migraines. There is no way to prevent migraines, but treatment can lessen the severity.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a migraine include pain on one or both temples, throbbing or pulsating pain, nausea and vomiting. The pain can also be located in the forehead, the back of the head and around your eye. Some people experience auras preceding migraines. Auras are blind spots, flashing lights or tingling in the arm or leg. According to Medicinenet.com, 40 to 60 percent of people will experience warning symptoms a few days before a migraine, including fatigue, irritability, drowsiness and depression.
Pain Relievers
Pain relieving medications are used to treat the symptoms of a migraine. Advil and Motrin may help mild migraines and over the counter medicines that offer migraine pain relief, such as Exedrin Migraine, may help moderate migraines. Triptan drugs are the most common treatment for severe migraines. Triptan drugs, such as Imitrex and Zomig, relieve the pain, nausea and light sensitivity that accompany migraines. Ergot drugs, such as Migergot, are less effective than triptan drugs, but do seem to help those with migraines lasting more than 48 hours. Antin-ausea medicine, such as Pepto Bismol, may be taken if nausea is a symptom. Narcotics containing codeine are sometimes prescribed by a doctor to treat migraine pain when patients cannot take triptan or ergot drugs.
Other Medications
Drugs may not always be able to prevent migraines, but they may be able to reduce the severity and frequency of the headaches. Cardiovascular drugs, such as Isoptin, may be able to prevent some migraines and aura symptoms. Prinivil is an antihypersensitive medication useful in reducing the severity and the length of migraines. Some antidepressants, such as Pamelor, are helpful in preventing migraines by affecting serotonin in the brain. Antiseizure drugs, such as Topomax, can reduce the frequency of migraines.
Home Remedies
There are self-care measures you can take to ward off or ease the pain of a migraine. Find relaxing things to do such as listening to music, taking a nice long bath or reading a good book. Regular exercise and at least six to eight hours of sleep each night also helps. Keep a diary of when your headaches occur and what medicines help the pain and severity.
Herbs, such as peppermint and passionflower can be used in teas and has been shown to relieve migraine pain. An ingredient in cayenne pepper called capsaicin increases the body's pain threshold and may help reduce migraine pain. You can purchase the cayenne pepper for migraine use in the form of a nasal spray at a health food store. Aromatherapy scents such as eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary, basil, ginger and chamomile can help to reduce the severity and frequency of migraines. Breathe in the aromatherapy oils for 15 to 20 minutes three times a day. Consult your doctor when taking herbs or using aromatherapy as some can interact with other medicines you may be taking.
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