There are many medications used for migraines. Your doctor may prescribe different medicines for the treatment depending on your age. Moreover, he may also consider your health condition and headache condition. Acute treatments for headaches aim at decreasing pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light or sound. This treatment comes in the form of medications. However, some of the more common prescription drugs include-
Triptans
These drugs help to narrow the blood vessels in the brain. They come as pills, nasal sprays, or injections.
Ergotamines
These drugs also narrow the blood vessels in the brain. Moreover, they come as pills, nasal sprays, or injections.
Anti-nausea medications
These drugs can include over-the-counter medications like Dramamine or prescription medications like ondansetron (Zofran).
Pain relievers for migraine
These medications can include over-the-counter medications. They include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or prescription medications like opioids (such as morphine).
Anti-seizure medications
These medicines can include over-the-counter medications like Valium or prescription medications like topiramate (Topamax).
However, if you have frequent or severe headaches, your doctor may recommend preventive remedy. They prescribe using these drugs regularly to prevent this neurological disease. Additionally, they often need to be taken every day, even when you are not having symptoms.
Preventive migraine treatment
Amitriptyline
This medication is a tricyclic antidepressant. It can diminish the occurrence of your headaches. Moreover, Amitriptyline may also improve your mood and overall quality of life.
Botox
Botox is a type of botulinum toxin injected into the muscles around the head and neck. It can diminish the number of headaches you have. In addition, Botox can reduce the severity and duration of each headache episode.
Frovatriptan
This medication is a serotonin receptor agonist. It cuts off the frequency of migraines you have. Frovatriptan is available in tablet form and is taken once a day.
Propranolol
This remedy is a beta-blocker. It also diminishes the number of headaches you have. Propranolol is available in tablet or oral solution form. Moreover, it usually needs to be taken three times a day.
Topiramate
This medication is an anticonvulsant. It prevents and cuts off the number of headaches you have. Topiramate is available in tablet form. Moreover, doctors prescribe taking it twice a day.
Verapamil
This medication is a calcium channel blocker. It can trim down the frequency of your migraine headaches. Verapamil is available in tablet form. Moreover, you need to take this medication three times a day.
Valproate
This medication is an anticonvulsant. It is available in tablet or oral solution form. In addition, Valproate usually needs to be taken twice a day.
On average, it can take several tries to find the accurate medication for you. However, if one drug does not work well, your doctor may try another. Some people also find they need to use more than one type of medication to control their conditions. Therefore, it is significant to work with your doctor to find the best treatment for you.
What are effective home remedies?
There are many potential home remedies for migraines. However, you need to know that what works for one person may not work for another. Some of the well-accepted hacks include-
Take a hot bath or shower
Taking a hot bath can provide heat to your body. The heat can help relieve tension in the muscles, which may trigger a headache.
Cold packs
Applying a cold pack to the forehead or the back of the neck can help constrict blood vessels. Meanwhile, it can also reduce inflammation.
Drink plenty of fluids
Drinking plenty of fluids, especially water, can help prevent this neurological disease. Dehydration can evoke a severe migraine. However, staying hydrated can support your healing.
Take regular meals
Eating regular meals is significant for people with throbbing headaches. On the other hand, skipping meals may lead to low blood sugar, which can evoke throbbing headaches.
Avoid some foods
Avoid certain foods that can trigger uneasiness. They may include processed meats, aged cheeses, chocolate, monosodium glutamate (MSG), caffeine, and alcoholic beverages. In addition, other triggers include-
- Too much or too little dietary fat
- Dairy products
- Tofu, soy milk, and other such products
Regular exercise
Exercise can help relieve stress and tension, which may help prevent migraines.
Relaxation practices
Practicing stress-relieving techniques such as yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises can put off the risk of pulsating headaches.
Medications
Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), aspirin, or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) for your treatment.
How can you prevent pulsating headaches?
There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for such a condition. Many ways can assist you in preventing migraines. However, some approaches that may help comprise-
Identifying and avoiding triggers
Certain foods, drinks, medications, stressors, and environmental factors are known to trigger headache attacks in some people. For that reason, if you can identify your triggers, you can work to avoid them.
Taking regular breaks during extended periods of work
When you are feeling stressed out, it is significant to take a break and relax periodically. It can help prevent tension headaches from developing into full-blown head pains.
Exercising regularly
Exercise is a great way to reduce stress and tension headaches. A moderate amount of exercise can help prevent migraines from occurring.
Practicing relaxation techniques
Relaxation techniques, such as yoga or meditation, can help relieve stress and tension headaches.
Taking medications as prescribed
If you have been diagnosed with this neurological disease, be sure to take the medications your doctor has prescribed. Keep in mind that it may take a few months to see effective results. However, you should continue taking them even if they seem ineffective at first. It may just take time for them to start working.
Consulting a headache specialist
If you have frequent or severe head pain, it may be helpful to consult with a headache specialist. This specialist can help you develop a personalized prevention plan that works best for you.
In conclusion, many different strategies can help prevent migraines. Some people may find that avoiding known triggers is helpful. On the other hand, others may need to take medications regularly to prevent attacks. Additionally, exercise and relaxation techniques can be beneficial for reducing stress and tension headaches, which may lead to fewer attacks. If you have frequent or severe disease, it may be helpful to consult with a headache specialist for a personalized prevention plan.
