Magnesium Treatment for Migraine Headaches

There is an established connection between magnesium and migraines. Magnesium supplements or intravenous magnesium can help prevent or treat migraines.

Magnesium

Magnesium is a mineral that is important to the body. Among other things, it helps maintain blood pressure, boosts the immune system, and is pivotal to a healthy nervous system.

Migraines

Migraine is a neurological disorder that affects approximately 12 percent of the population. Symptoms of a migraine include severe headache, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, fatigue, sweating, and problems concentrating. Migraines can last up to three days.

Magnesium Deficiency

People who suffer from migraines have low levels of magnesium in the brain during attacks.

Supplements

Magnesium supplements can be used to help prevent migraines. Evidence shows that magnesium supplements reduce the number of days over which people experience migraines.

Intravenous Magnesium

Magnesium can be administered by IV in clinical settings, such as hospitals and headache clinics. In some patients, IV magnesium can break a headache within 15 minutes.

References

• American Family Physician; Therapeutic Uses of Magnesium; Mary P. Guerrera, Stella Lucia Volpe, Jun James Mao; July, 2009
• Clinical Journal of Pain; Foods and Supplements in the Management of Migraine Headaches; Christina Sun-Edelstein and Alexander Mauskop; Volume 25, 2009
• Drug Development Research; Complementary and Alternative Treatments for Migraine; Alexander Mouskop; Volume 68, 2007

Resources

• The American Headache Society
• Migraine - Medline Plus