Migraine treatment
When it comes to the treatment of migraines, migraine sufferers have two broad
options. The first option is treatment through medications, which can take the
form of either over-the-counter medications or prescription medications that
they receive from their physicians. The second treatment option is through
alternative methods and lifestyle choices. For many migraine sufferers,
the best treatment is a combination of both.
This article covers some of the more common alternative treatment options that migraine sufferers may want to explore.
Reduce Stress: Many migraine sufferers discount the importance of stress reduction in the overall management of their migraines. This can be a mistake. Studies have shown that increased levels of stress can and do trigger migraines in some patients. There are many ways to reduce stress, and most of these methods are easy to do.
One of the most important keys to reducing stress is to realize when you "are" stressed. Learn to pay attention to your body and to your surroundings, and once you discover that you are beginning to become stressed, take some proactive actions. Simply taking a few deep breaths can often help relieve the tension that accompanies stress. You may want to learn mediation techniques which can also be very effective in keeping you centered and relaxed. Avoiding?to the best of your ability?those situations that you know to be stressful can also be a good way to reduce stress levels.
Improved Sleep Patterns: Recent studies are showing that poor sleeping patterns can have a big impact on the onset of migraines. Migraine sufferers who got a full night of sleep fared better than those who did not. Also, those people who went to bed to go straight to sleep (as opposed to those who read a book or watched television while in bed) did better in the studies.
Food: One of the most common triggers for migraines is food. Certain foods may have an adverse effect on certain people. The trick, however, is to find out which foods affect which people. If a migraine sufferer can narrow down which foods or which food additives (such as MSG) trigger a migraine and then avoid consuming those foods or additives, they can reduce their frequency of migraines greatly.
Some of the most common types of foods that are known to cause migraines include certain types of cheese, alcoholic drinks, caffeine, and preserved meats like potted meat or hot dogs.
In order to help narrow the search to discover which foods may affect a person, keeping a headache diary can help a great deal. This is a log that a person fills out as soon as an attack begins. In it, they write down exactly what was eaten or what activities were underway when the first signs of migraine were noticed.
Herbs: Herbal therapies have also been used in treating migraines. The herb feverfew may lessen the frequency of attacks in some people. Feverfew can work as a serotonin antagonist which means that it can reduce the swelling of the blood vessels which is often associated with painful migraines. This herb should not be used if a person if pregnant.
Ginger can be effective if taken after the onset of a migraine attack. The herb ginger can help to relieve some of symptoms including nausea. However, people with gallstones should not use ginger supplements, and it should be noted that the safety of ginger supplements during pregnancy has not been established.
Vitamin Therapy: Vitamin B2, riboflavin, seems to be a safe, low-cost, and effective treatment for preventing migraine attacks. It reduces the frequency of migraine attacks with minimal side effects, including diarrhea and increased urination.
Minerals: The mineral Magnesium can inhibit swelling in blood vessels and is proven to reduce the frequency of migraine. It has been discovered that 50% of migraine sufferers have lowered levels of magnesium when an attack first begins.
Alternative Treatments: Acupressure can be used as a therapy in the treatment of migraine pain and the underlying cause of this physical disturbance. Two simple methods of acupressure therapy are: Gently massage your head as if you were shampooing. The second method is to place the thumbs at the base of your skull on either side of the spine. Tilt the head back a little bit and press upward for 2 minutes. Do this massage while breathing slowly and deeply.
Biofeedback treatment is also a way to reduce stress and pain, before and during a migraine attack. The premise is to learn to increase the blood flow to the arms and legs in order to reduce the pressure of the blood vessels in the head.
Acupuncture has been useful for some people who suffer from migraines, but this therapy is usually done as a preventive measure rather than during the actual attack.
Some people will benefit if they undertake some form of psychological therapy. This is especially true if the person has some emotional problems such as depression or anxiety issues.
Alternative migraine treatments are a useful and beneficial way to find more relief from migraines than through the exclusive use of medications. In most cases, they cannot and should not take the place of your medications, but they can be safe and effective ways to improve your quality of life.
More resources:
emedicinehealth.com - Migraine headaches are one of the most common problems seen in emergency departments and doctors' offices. Migraines are due to changes in the brain and surrounding blood vessels.allayurveda.com - ayurveda, the natural and effective way of treating diseases.
faqs.org - Natural Migraine Treatment FAQ