Stress management

By: Mark Bevan
What happens in migraines?

Migraine symptoms vary in people. While most people experience migraine without auras some may have migraines with auras. In migraine with auras, patients get a warning sign 30 minutes before a migraine headache develops. When facing an aura, the patient normally witnesses sparkling flashes of light, blind spots, or distortions. Some also experience tingling or "pins-and-needles" sensation in their hands, arms, or face. However rare, some people also experience language and speech problems. In most cases though, the migraine pain begins within 30 minutes of seeing an aura. The moderate to severe migraine headache lasts from 4 to 72 hours. Other symptoms that you may experience during a migraine are extreme sensitivity to light, noise, and smells, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite and fatigue, numbness, tingling, or weakness.

Can I prevent migraines?

There is no cure for migraine and hence the best way to treat chronic migraine is to prevent its occurrence. To prevent a migraine attack you need to recognize migraine triggers by keeping a headache diary and making efforts to avoid or alter these triggers. People who have frequent migraine attacks are recommended to take daily medications to reduce the severity or frequency of migraine attacks. Making certain lifestyle changes is another way of preventing migraines, in addition to taking appropriate sleep for scheduled number of hours, regular fixed meals and exercise; avoiding stress and caffeine; and limiting alcohol. Meditation and relaxation therapies may also help prevent migraine headaches.

What medicine will I need to take?

Medications are often used to prevent migraine attacks or to provide relief to patients facing migraine symptoms. The choice of drugs for migraine treatment depends on the type of migraine a person is suffering from. Usually the doctors begin treatment with mild non-prescription drugs to relieve the symptoms. Patients with severe migraine pains are given stronger prescription drugs. Some of the commonly used drugs to stop a migraine attack include NSAIDs, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, triptans (serotonin receptor agonists), midrin, anti-nausea drugs and ergotamine derivatives, such as Cafergot. To prevent migraine attacks doctor may recommend beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, antidepressants or anticonvulsants that are approved by the FDA. Migraine medicine should only be taken on a doctor’s advice. Chronic use of migraine pain medications may result in rebound headache and hence should be avoided.

To reduce dependency on medicines and also to avoid their side effects, many migraine patients are taking help of drug-free alternative treatment options such as Cefaly electro-therapy device. Cefaly emits gentle electric pulses to alleviate pain. Regular use of Cefaly is known to reduce severity and frequency of migraine headaches. Ask your doctor, if you to can benefit from Cefaly; this will provide relief from disabling migraine attacks.