Effective solutions for migraines

One in six people suffer from migraines, and it is more common in women. The throbbing pain causes a lot of discomfort, which is sometimes so unbearable that it can hinder your daily activities.

A migraine is a neurobiological disorder, and there are many simple treatments for migraines. Read along to understand the several treatments for migraines.

Treat migraines with trigger management
If you’re someone who suffers from migraines frequently, then you may be experiencing some stimuli that allow it to keep coming back. You can track your calendar or look for specific patterns and catalysts that cause you migraines. Some of these may include:

Dropped estrogen levels
Before menstruation, the estrogen level in their body decreases significantly. This can trigger a migraine. To get rid of this, you can try using an estrogen based contraceptive medication on a small dosage. Make sure to consult with your doctor before doing so.

Alcohol
Some people experience a hangover just after one or two drinks. This may be because alcohol consumption triggers your body. Luckily, this issue is quite specific, if you get a migraine with beer, you may be just fine with vodka or other drinks. Make sure that you avoid the drink that you’re more susceptible to.

Skipped meals
Fluctuations in the blood sugar level can also lead to migraines. So, make sure that you don’t stay without eating for longer than three hours. You can also include a lean protein in your diet to keep your blood sugar levels steady.

Caffeine
If you consume coffee regularly, you can set your body up for withdrawal headaches. This could stimulate your brain cells to turn this into a migraine. To avoid this, make sure that you don’t consume more than 200 gm or 8 ounces of coffee a day.

Disturbed or deprived sleep
When your brain doesn’t get enough rest, your brain may get triggered for headaches and migraines. Make sure that you follow a strict schedule for your sleep and receive sufficient rest to avoid migraines.

Some natural remedies
There are several natural treatments for migraines, which require no doctor consultation or medication. Some of them are:

Ice packs
Instead of heat, try an ice pack for your migraine. An ice pack is an anti-inflammatory and helps relieve the tension in your head.

Supplements
Vitamin B is a great supplement that can help decrease migraines. Studies show that people who consumed about 400 grams of Vitamin B (Riboflavin) for three months experience fewer migraines compared to those who don’t. According to a clinical study, CoQ10 is another supplement that can help in treating and preventing migraines.

Relaxation techniques
Massages induce relaxation and can also help alleviate migraine pain. Massaging the greater occipital nerve on the back of your head at the base of your skull can help immensely with a migraine. You can also try reflexology, i.e. massage of reflex points on your hands and feet, to get great results. Tai chi is a technique which allows your body to become aware of an oncoming headache to help treat it. Yoga can also help as it focusses on mindfulness.

Herbs
According to some studies, the butterbur herb is quite effective when it comes to treatments for migraines. It ensures that your brain receives a healthy blood flow. Dry-leaf capsules of the herb Feverfew can also be helpful, but make sure to consult with a specialist as the evidence is still inconclusive.

Acupuncture
Many studies show that acupuncture provides the same long-term effects like any other medication without any of the side effects that drugs may cause. Although this partly depends on a placebo effect, it can help provide relief.

Medication for migraines

Triptans
These prescription drugs were introduced in the year 1990, and include Imitrex, Axert, and Relpax. Formulated to stop migraines, they work on almost everything that can cause a migraine. But they can also sometimes cause rebound headaches.

Anti-Hypersensitives or Beta-Blockers
These were initially intended to treat fast heart beats and high blood pressure, but they can also help prevent migraines. They include propranolol, timolol, and metoprolol and affect the relevant blood vessels to reduce migraines. They do have a few side effects, but if taken excessively, they can cause dangerous heart-rate drops. Make sure that you never exceed the prescription limit with this medication.

Anti-Seizure Medication
For some people, prescription anti-seizure medication like Valproic acid and Topiramate can reduce the frequency of migraines by almost 50%. They do this by inhibiting neurotransmitters. They can also produce adverse side effects like drowsiness and confusion.

Antidepressants
SSRIs and Tricyclics have been proven to give relief from migraines. During migraines, serotonin is produced excessively, which is regulated by this medication. They also induce a happy feeling and increase your threshold for feeling pain. But they are generally not recommended if you don’t need a depression treatment.

Migraines are quite a common issue, but with proper techniques, it is easy to treat them. Make sure that you consult with a doctor whenever you want to opt for medication as most migraine medications are prescription drugs.