Different Kinds of Migraine Treatment

A migraine is a condition wherein severe, painful headaches occur which could be accompanied or preceded by the sensory warning signs. These could be blind spots, flashes of light, nausea, tingling sensation in the legs and arms, vomiting as well as increased sensitivity to sound and light. The pain that comes with migraine can last for hours or in some for days at a stretch. Therefore, migraine treatment is essential.

Treatment of Migraine

The migraine treatment can help to prevent potential attacks and stop the symptoms as well. Several medications have been designed for the for the purpose of treatment. Some of the drugs used for the treatment of other medical conditions might also help to prevent or relieve migraines. The medications are generally categorized into pain-rea

Pain-relieving Medications

It is also known as abortive or acute treatment. These kinds of drugs are taken when a person is having a migraine attack and help in stopping the symptoms. Sleeping in a dark room or resting is advisable after such medications. The included medications for migraine treatment are –

• Pain Relievers – Aspirins, Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen might help with mild migraines. There are certain medications which have been designed especially for migraines and help to ease moderate pain of the migraine.

• Triptans – these medications are often used for migraine treatment. They constrict the blood vessels and block the pathways of the pain in the brain. Sumatriptan, almotriptan,zolmitriptan are some of the medications included in Triptans.

• Ergots –Ergots are found to be most effective for migraine treatment for the people who suffer from the pain which lasts for more than 48 hours. They would work efficiently if taken soon after the symptoms begin.

Preventive Medications

Preventive medications are taken on a regular basis which helps in reducing the frequency or the severity of migraines. Preventive therapy might be the appropriate migraine treatment for you if:

• Your attack lasts for over 12 hours
• You suffer four or more debilitating attacks within a month
• If the symptoms and signs of migraine include a prolonged weakness and numbness
• If the pain-relieving drugs aren’t working for you

The preventive medications can effectively reduce the frequency, length and severity of the migraines and might increase the effectiveness of the symptoms-relieving medications which are used for the migraine treatment. It might however take several weeks to notice the improvements.

The most common medications for the prevention of migraine are –

• Cardiovascular Drugs–Beta blockers which are generally used to treat coronary artery diseases and high blood pressure is known to reduce the severity of migraine pain.

• Anti-seizure drugs – Drugs like Topiramate and Valproate are used for migraine treatment and are known to reduce migraine’s frequency.

• Antidepressants –Tricyclic antidepressants might prove as an effective drug for migraine treatment. This might also work for people not suffering from depression.
  

All of the above listed medication for migraine treatment must only be taken under a doctor’s supervision. This is because all of them certain side effects and only your doctor after checking your current condition would prescribe you with the medication which would suit you the best.