Treatment of Migraine Headache
Non-medication therapies for migraine
The non-medication therapies for migraine provide symptomatic and preventative therapy. The non-medication therapies used by migraineurs to manage mild-to-moderate attacks at home are:
- Using a cold compress to the area of pain.
- Resting with pillows comfortably supporting the head or neck.
- Resting in a room with little or no sensory stimulations like light, sound and odour.
- Withdrawing from stressful surroundings.
- Sleep is the best medicine if it is possible.
- Avoiding caffeine as well as certain foods especially those high in tyramine such as sharp cheeses or those containing sulphites (wines) or nitrates (nuts, pressed meats).
Medication therapies for migraine headache
The medical treatment for migraine can be of two types, abortive and preventive.
Abortive: The abortive therapy aims at preventing a migraine attack or to stop it once it starts. The prescribed medications aim at stopping the headache during its prodrome stage. The medication can also be taken as a self-injection into the thigh or as a wafer that melts on the tongue. These forms of medication are especially useful for people who vomit during a migraine.
The medications used for abortive treatment include the triptans, which specifically target serotonin. The triptans are used only to treat
headache pain. They do not relieve pain from other problems like
arthritis, menstruation, or other conditions.
The other medications include:
- Ergotamine tartrate (Cafergot)
- Dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45 Injection, Migranal Nasal Spray)
- Acetaminophen-isometheptene-dichloralphenazone (Midrin)
The drugs used for nausea are:
- Prochlorperazine (Compazine)
- Promethazine (Phenergan)
Preventive: The preventive therapy aims at lessening the frequency and severity of the migraine attacks. This therapy is mainly used if the patient suffers from an attack more than once per week. These medications are usually administered on a daily basis to prevent migraine attack. The preventive treatment medications include:
- Medications used to treat high blood pressure
- Beta-blockers like propranolol (Inderal)
- Calcium channel blockers like verapamil (Covera)
- Amitriptyline (Elavil)
- Nortriptyline (Pamelor)
- Gabapentin (Neurontin)
- Valproic acid (Depakote)
- Topiramate (Topamax)
- Some antihistamines and anti-allergy drugs
- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
- Cyproheptadine (Periactin)
Alternative treatment for Migraine Headache
Herbs
Some herbs can be used to treat migraine. The herbs used for this purpose are:
- Feverfew
- Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
- Passionflower (Passiflora alata)
- Ginko (Ginko biloba)
- Cayenne (Capsaicin)
- Willow
- Meadowsweet
- Valerian
- Skullcap
- Chamomile
- Butterbur extract
Though use of herbs is an alternative line of treatment, they should never be consumed without adequate medical supervision. Some herbs like Ginko cause serious side effects when consumed with headache medications like aspirin and lithium.
Homeopathy
The homeopathic medications for migraine are:
- Belladona: Used for the treatment of right-sided headaches and migraine.
- Bryonia alba: Used for treating pulsating throbbing centralized near or into the left eye.
- Cimicifuga: Used for migraine and throbbing headache.
- Cocculus indicus: Used for headaches or migraine resulting from worrisome behaviour or insomnia.
- Cyclamen: Used for migraine attacks associated with dizziness, blurred or dimmed vision, or eye spasm.
- Iris versicolor: Used in the treatment of headaches or migraine that typically comes during the weekend or during rest periods. It is also a remedy for migraine with aura.
- Lachesis: Used in the treatment of left-sided migraine.
- Ranunculus bulbosis: Used in the treatment of migraine attacks triggered by weather change.
The other alternative course of treatment
- Acupuncture - During this course of treatment, a practitioner inserts many thin, disposable needles into several areas of the skin at defined points. This line of treatment reduces headache pain.
- Biofeedback - This line of treatment is also effective in relieving migraine pain. Through this relaxation technique, a patient uses special equipment to monitor and control certain physical responses related to stress, such as muscle tension.
- Massage - Massage helps in reducing the frequency of migraines. It also improves the quality of your sleep, which can, in turn, help preventing migraines.
Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date last updated: January 15, 2010
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