best migraine treatment

Read and learn more about best migraine treatment. For more, visit the Migraine Headache website MyBrainPain.com

Q: What’s the best treatment for migraine?
I’ve had recurrent migraines for over 20 years now and have tried almost everything I know there is. Can anyone give me a safe long term solution for preventing migraines?

A: I feel your pain. I have migraines very often, twice every two weeks. Family is prone to them. I’ve tried them all. Chocolate, coffee, caffeine, more sleep, dark rooms, etc. Medicine wise, I usually stick to excedrin migraine, or goody powder. Have you seen a doctor?

Q: I suffer from acute migraines, does anyone know the best treatment for a migraine?
I tried Imatrex, no help! I also have an allergy to NSAIDS, morphine & codeine.

A: A magnesium deficiency can cause migraines. Nuts are rich in magnesium.

Q: Does anyone know the best treatment for Migraine?

A: http://www.neurologyreviews.com/feb04/nr_feb04_foramen.html

Q: What are the best drugs for the treatment of migraine headaches?

A: Headache is a pain in the head, scalp or neck. Headaches can be
caused by minor problems like eyestrain, lack of coffee or more
serious reasons like head injury, brain tumors, encephalitis and
meningitis. Taking painkillers continuously can have harmful side
effects, so it is better to modify your lifestyle. More information
available at

Q: i want to know tha treatment and precautions for headache and migraine?
im sufferin in severe migraine. i took many treatements. but ,still im suffering. i want to know the best treatments for migraine i need ur advice. that will help me to cure

A: A migraine headache is caused by hormonal fluctuations which
cause blood vessels in the head and neck to contract and then
dilate. The first phase, or contraction phase, may last minutes,
hours, or days. During this phase, symptoms can be spots in
front of the eyes, difficulty concentrating, and cold fingertips
and hands. This is called an “aura”. Many people recognize this
phase of their headaches; many others don’t notice any symptoms
at this time. Some people who think they don’t have an “aura”
can learn to recognize it.

When the blood vessels dilate, the headache pain starts.
Apparently the hormones over-react. Instead of just going from a
contracted state back to normal, the blood vessels dilate much
wider than normal, causing pain. Other things also happen about
the same time: swelling of the brain, release of certain
chemicals, and perhaps muscle tension. These things add to the pain.

The following are natural remedies:

1) Chiropractic trement
2) biofeedback
3) Aupuncture, aromatherapy, and myotherapy
4) multivitamin treatments.
5)food sensitivity, increassed blood sugar
6) nutritional supplements
7) herbs
sex hormones.

Most of the treatments in this FAQ are used to prevent migraines
from happening. This section describes things you can do when
you’re in pain, to reduce the pain.

— Have a bath or shower.
— Lie down to rest in a dark room.
— Avoid bright or flashing light.
— Put something cold on the back of your neck, such as
a cold, wet cloth; or alternate hot and cold cloths
where the pain is.
— Put a cold compress on your forehead and your feet in a
container of warm water.
— Have a drink of water or natural juice, especially tomato juice.
— Have some food, or a nutritious drink, if you
haven’t eaten for a while.
— Massage your own face, head, neck and shoulders, or get someone
else to do those and your back. Relax your muscles.
— Press on two pressure points at the back of the neck. These
points are about two inches apart, just below the base of
the skull. Press for a minute or two. This releases
endorphins that help against pain.
— Massage or press on the fleshy area between thumb and
forefinger.
— Gently lean the head to left or right to stretch the neck muscles.
Massage and relax any tense muscles.
— Avoid sources of stress. Cancel activities so there’s less
to worry about.
— Avoid exercise during a headache if it makes throbbing pain
in the head and neck worse. On
the other hand, generally exercise improves health, and
it may help you relax during a headache.
— Take some niacin (a form of vitamin B3). Taking enough
niacin to cause a flush (blood rushing to the skin) can
provide relief from headache pain, but this much niacin
can also have side effects (flush, nausea, heartburn,
liver damage, etc.) Niacinamide doesn’t have such bad
side effects, but isn’t as much use against migraines, either.
Smaller, safer amounts of niacin are also helpful.
Niacin can trigger a migraine, though.
— Take some vitamin C, vitamin B6, choline, tryptophan and niacin
and/or magnesium.

.Common migraine triggers include:

Hormonal changes. Although the exact relationship between hormones and headaches isn’t clear, fluctuations in estrogen seem to trigger headaches in many women with known migraines. Women with a history of migraines often report headaches immediately before or during their periods, and this corresponds to a major drop in estrogen. Others have an increased tendency to develop migraines during pregnancy or menopause. Hormonal medications, such as contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy, also may worsen migraines.

Foods. Certain foods appear to trigger headaches in some people. Common offenders include alcohol, especially beer and red wine; nuts, aged cheeses; chocolate; fermented, pickled or marinated foods; aspartame; overuse of caffeine; monosodium glutamate — a key ingredient in some Asian foods; certain seasonings; and many canned and processed foods. Skipping meals or fasting also can trigger migraines.

Stress. A hard week at work followed by relaxation may cause weekend migraines.

Sensory Stimuli- bright blights and sunglare can produce head pains. So can unusual smells -including pleasant smells such as flowers and perfumes. and unpleasant odors such as paint thinner and secondhand smoke.

Changes in wake-sleep pattern- either not enough sleep or too much sleep may trigger migraines in some individuals.

physical Activity- intense exercise even sex can trigger migraines.

A change in the environment– a change of weather, season, altitude levels; barometric pressure or time zone can promote migraine.

Medications some meds have headaches as side effects.

High blood pressure can also cause headaches. so will hypoglycemia or hunger

Q: What is the best treatment for migraines?
I get chronic migraines and I don’t have insurance to see a doctor. If gone through many over the counter pain meds and I usually develop a tolerance to them after a little while. Are there any other, perhaps natural, treatments?

A: I find that ice packs are a BIG help. You can get ice packs at Walgreens, but the best ones I’ve found are at your local massage therapy supply store (betcha didn’t even know there was such a thing!) Their packs are cheap ($3-10), come in a variety of sizes/shapes and are amazingly sturdy. Remember to put the ice pack in a pillow case and never use it for more than 20 minutes at a time.

Also important is where you apply the ice- more specifically right at the middle of the back of your skull. A nurse taught me this trick and it is SO helpful. Since you have hair there, you don’t need to use the pillowcase; just apply directly. Use another pack at the base of your skull and a smaller one across your eyes or temples.

And I understand about the health insurance issue, but I wanted to add that Imitrex changed my life. There are 9 pills for about $135, but I cut them in half, and they work just fine, so that saves on the cost. I know that’s so expensive, but as a quality-of-life issue, it’s worth saving up for. (And yes, you will need to get a prescription for them.) Best of luck to you.

Q: What’s the best treatment for migraines?
I am having some severe migraines. What’s the best OTC thing?

A: Nathan, your best bet is to get to your doctor or a neurologist for diagnosis. Short of that, there are “migraine” relief combos available OTC. They usually contain acetaminophen or ibuprofen plus aspirin plus caffeine.

Q: What type of medicine works the best for the prevention and treatment of migraine headaches???
Thanks

A: See your doc for a script…. works quite well. Lots of people get an aura first ( zig-zag split vision, then the crashing migraine). No one really knows exactly what causes a migraine, but many believe it is a dilation of some of the small vessels in the brain…. if that can be interrupted before it starts, the migraine generally doesn’t happen

Q: Any side effect by taking disprin tablets? Best treatment and doctor for migraine? ?
Hi….
My name is S.Anil. My age is 23 years. I’m from Hyderabad. I have migraine problem from my childhood. When ever I get head ace (even I can’t open my eyes) I will take 2 disprin tablets and sleep for 15 min, because 1 tablet will not give relief. So I take 2 tablets. It reacts so fast. If it doesn’t react then I will take another 2 tablets. I will get head ace 4 to 8+ times in the month. Some of friends suggest not to take disprin. But I’m not able to leave because it’s the only one which can give temporary relief from head ace. Will they be any problem by using this? I’m having for more then 8 years. Now I’m afraid that I have done wrong. What will be the side effect if I take disprin? Will they be any health effect in the future? I heard that it make blood thin. Will you ssuggest mego any health checkup (blood).

Please give your suggestion to reduce my migrane problem. Who is the best doctor to contact?

Please help me. Thanks in advance.

A: OK, disprin is aspirin which is pretty much the safest of the pain killers, aside from the fact that it thins your blood (if you get a cut it may take longer to congeal). Don’t take it in large doses though, it is still the most common overdose.
For migraines, treating the symptoms should be a last resort. Find the cause of the headache and eliminate it. For mine it was mostly caffeine that triggered my migraines. Look at what you’re eating/drinking/smoking. Stop doing anything that affects the blood vessels : Smoking constricts blood vessels, caffeine dilates them. Coffee, chocolate, candy, coke, alcohol, nicotine, aged cheese like brie and camembert even bananas all have been known to trigger headaches.
When you do get a headache, try lying in a quiet dark room. Take the disprin and calm down. Stay away from light and noise. Talk to your doctor about other treatment – stay away from stronger painkillers though, they help over the short term but causes dependence and can even trigger headaches themselves.
Hope this helps

Q: What is the best treatment for frequent migraines/headaches?

A: There is a new development in migraine therapy:

http://www.neurologyreviews.com/feb04/nr_feb04_foramen.html

Q: What is the best treatment for people with migraines everyday during pregnancy?

A: The best treatment would be to go to the doctor and ask him/her what the best treatmen would be.

Q: How long do your migraines last?? and what treatment works best for You?
Fiorcets and Imitrex didnt help!

A: Mine last awhile but make sure your cooled down and take some ivyprophin

Q: Have hormonal issues – what is best pill/treatment to make you feel totally normal without side effects?
Have had hormonal issues & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (post glandular fever) for years. Found Yasmin to be the best pill but do feel a little flat (& fat) on it. Have tried extended periods of natural prog cream, other pills as well as naturopaths, chinese herbs, endocrinologists, etc. without much success.

My symptoms (mainly pre-menstrually):-

* Bloating
* Sever PMS – Irritable, depressed, hungry like crazy
* Weight gain
* Migraine (at some point during, before or after period)
* Sugar swings/cravings
* Generally unwell (annoys me when people say PMS is not an illness!)
* Poor circulation
* Aches & pains all over
* Feel old although am young
* Very dry skin, hair

I know this is the million dollar question and I wonder if we can ever truly feel like we deserve to. It’s so unfair that some women suffer and others don’t. This has been passed down the generations of women in my family and am quite concerned about my own daughter who is fast approaching pre-puberty.

A: I would talk to your doctor. Most medications have side effects, but I would talk to your doctor for the best suggestions.

Q: What is the best way to get rid of a severe migraine?
I have severe migraines everyday. I wake up it’s there, I go to sleep it’s still there. For the past 6 years I have lived with a migraine that never goes away. I’ve tried all of the major OTCs and prescription medications for headaches and nothing ever works. If there is some odd, non-medication treatment (besides accupuncture which failed to work for me) that you’ve tried and it worked for you please let me know.
I’ve also been to many doctors because of this, I’ve spent time at MHNI (Michigan Head pain and Neurological Institute) which specializes in headaches, and they can’t even tell me what’s wrong.

A: I have tried everything and had to go to the doctor for a prescription. I take Maxalt for my migraines.

Sometimes a cold cloth over my head and a dark ROM will help.

Write down what you have eaten or drank and what you have been doing in a journal to help narrow down what could possible be a trigger for your migraines.

My triggers are caffeine, certain perfumes and colognes and extreme stress.

Q: what the best treatment for Unbalanced Dysfunctional Breathing disorder. What are the symptoms please help me?
HI I am chad mercure and i having problem with my lung for a few year get short of breath really easy and think i have asthma. I get cold that not go away some of my teacher thought it was whooping cough. The symtoms of short of breath coughing every morning and tire and short of breath when doing exersices and sleeping or relaxing. I also get heart burn and somtime i cannopt speak or complete a sentence. I get this strange feeling inn my chest like there a build up of presseure in my chest and tingly feeling all over and barly can grip things. but this happens about once a month. I get gagging feeling in the morning and get the feeling of being hot like a hot flash. What can it be my doct dose not know what it is and i need help. With my sleeping when i get up i get migraines headache and stiff ness. I get alot of migranes pounding headache and they almost feel like cluster headaches. I did a test online, it shows i might have Unbalanced Dysfunctional Breathing thanks you chad mercure

A: Hi Chad. Sorry you’re not feeling well. I’ve never heard of UDB. Nowdays, Docs give new names to old problems. They do this is part for $.It’s a marketing gimick. There just used to be “heartburn” now there’s 5 different catagories. Know what I mean? What has changed in the last few years for you? Asthma (in eastern tradition) is related to our emotional being. Do you have certain thoughts when you have these attacks? Could you be allergic to something new in your abode? We tend to quit exercise when it’s uncomforable but don’t let that stop you. You can improve the condition of your lungs through exercise. It’ll take time and you must go slow but in time, your lungs will be in better shape. Try sleeping with your upperhalf propped up. Not just on pillows though, that’ll give you an even stiffer neck. There are pillow wedges you can buy or you can even use . . .I don’t know . .bricks of books . .put something under your mattress so you sleep at an angle. You might be allergic to something in the house; mold, pet dander, dust, plants . .etc. Also, might you eat too quickly? Strange question – yes but that could cause the heartburn and some breathing difficulties. You could get a small air purifier, leaving it on in the day, turning it off at night. The hot flashes are symptoms of being out of breath. Take a yoga class. It will help with your breathing. Or read up on breathing exercises. Best of luck, Chad. I hope I helped. Hope everything works out for you.