If you experience migraines, you are well acquainted with the ways they can severely disrupt your quality of life and everyday activities. Thanks to medical advancements, there are several ways to treat migraines and improve symptoms so that you can get on with your normal life.
Migraine Symptoms
Migraine symptoms will vary a bit from person to person. They may even differ in symptoms and intensity each time you have one. Some of the most common migraine symptoms include:
- Throbbing pain on one side of the head
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Dizziness
Often, people who frequently experience migraines can sense when they are beginning to get one. If caught and treated early, you can keep a migraine from getting worse.
Treatment options
Treatment for migraines can be divided into two different categories – acute (as needed) and preventative. Acute treatments include
pain relievers and muscle relaxers. Preventative treatments include BOTOX and CGRP blocking medications. Both of these treatments, along with some other medications can be taken regularly to prevent the occurrence of migraines.
It is important to note that medication overuse headache (otherwise known as MOH), which is a headache that results from increased use of medication can end up making migraines more difficult to treat.
Some natural approaches to treating migraines have been effective. These include butterbur, coenzyme Q10, magnesium, and riboflavin. Electrical stimulation can also be an effective treatment option as an alternative to medication.
Prevention
If you suffer from migraines, one of the most important things you can do is to identify possible triggers. Once you have discovered what triggers a migraine, you can avoid those triggers to prevent headaches. Possible migraine triggers include:
- Consuming too much sugar
- Not including enough protein in your diet
- A change in weather
- Stress
- Lack of sleep
If you regularly experience migraines, talk to your
doctor about the ways you may be able to treat or prevent them, so that you can resume a pain-free life.