What Are the Treatments for Migraines?

Contributor

By K. Proctor
eHow Contributing Writer

Article Rating:

(1 Ratings)

When a migraine headache attacks, you may or may not get a warning in the form of an aura, visual disturbances or other symptoms of classic migraine. Once the pain begins, it may not be long before you feel too ill to function. Treatment for migraines can be complex and involve several strategies. Treat the pain early and there's a greater chance that it will go away within a few hours; wait too long to treat it, and the migraine may be with you for days.

Rest

Don't work through the migraine unless absolutely necessary. Lie down with your head and upper body slightly inclined. Migraines are caused by vascular constriction in which blood flows to the head; keeping your upper body raised can help the blood flow back down, while lying flat could make the pain worse. Depending on whether you're light-sensitive or sound-sensitive during a migraine, choose a room that's dark or quiet for your rest.

Pain Medication

Take pain medication early. If your face, neck or shoulders feel warm, then anti-inflammatory over-the-counter drugs such as aspirin, naproxen sodium or ibuprofen may help soothe the pain from inflammation. Some medications, such as Excedrin Migraine, contain a blend of multiple painkillers and caffeine. If pain medication is working, you should be free of pain within four hours.

Circulation

Help the migraine pass by restoring your blood flow to normal. During a migraine, you may notice cold hands and feet because the blood flows away from your limbs and toward your head. As soon as possible, try to get the blood flowing away from your head. Take a shallow sitz bath or immerse your hands up to the elbows in water as hot as you can tolerate comfortably. Use a cold, wet washcloth on the side of your head that hurts---generally, migraines only affect one side or the other---or an ice pack covered in a moist towel.

Prevention

Migraines may be triggered by a number of factors. To help prevent migraines from occurring in the first place, try to find the association between the trigger and the migraine. Some common food triggers include red wine; foods such as bacon and hot dogs that contain nitrates; foods with naturally occurring tyramine, present in foods such as smoked sausages and aged cheddar cheese; coffee; or the artificial sweetener aspartame.

Warnings

Don't let this article substitute for medical advice. See your doctor if your migraine pain is unusual or if you have never had a headache diagnosed as a migraine before. Avoid taking more medications than the instructions specify or than your doctor has prescribed, and don't mix painkillers except under the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.