Migraine Headache Prevention

The fact is, Migraine headaches affect about 13 percent of the population. Another fact is that there are ways to prevent migraine headaches from occurring, and below you will see several different ways that are keeping many individuals migraine-free, making their migraine prevention permanent. Be one of those happy faces in the crowd!

A complete physical and tracking of headache patterns with a headache diary are essential to identifying triggers of the pain. Here is an overview of medications and non-drug therapies used in treating migraines. A number of methods for reducing headaches do not involve pharmaceuticals.

Avoiding any dietary triggers is essential. Keeping a regular meal schedule is also important, even on weekends and holidays. Missing meals can be a trigger for some migraine sufferers. Some doctors recommend a diet low in tyramine-containing foods. These include chocolate, alcoholic beverages, processed meats, cultured dairy products, monosodium glutamate (MSG) and peanuts, for example.

As a stress reliever and general promoter of health, exercise is encouraged. Keep a regular sleep schedule. Get enough sleep but avoid oversleeping. Stress is a risk factor for most headaches. Biofeedback and relaxation methods such as breathing techniques can reduce the effects of stress on headaches.

Many mild migraines can be treated successfully with over-the-counter medications, particularly those combining acetaminophen, aspirin and caffeine, such as Excedrin Extra Strength, the first OTC medication approved specifically for migraine treatment.

Triptans raise the level of serotonin in the brain, reducing the dilation of blood vessels, the source of the pain. Sumatriptan, the first drug developed for migraine, has been joined by several other triptans available in oral form and nasal sprays.

Those who suffer from chronic severe and disabling migraines (more than two or three each month) may benefit from these preventive medications. Each has significant side-effects and should be used under a doctor's supervision.

Regular use of low-dose aspirin may reduce the occurrence of migraine, according to one study. Prescription-strength doses have also been found to reduce the frequency of headaches. Long-term use can lead to serious gastrointestinal problems, including bleeding of the stomach lining.

Usually prescribed for cardiovascular disease, beta blocker medications can also reduce the frequency and severity of severe migraine.

Used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disease, anticonvulsant drugs have recently been approved for the prevention of migraines.

Tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs reduced the number and severity of migraine attacks by half in up to half of the patients in one study. The tricyclics are particularly effective for people who suffer from combined migraine and tension headaches.

Also typically prescribed for heart patients, calcium blockers have been shown in clinical studies to be effective in preventing migraine. They may work by blocking the release of neurotransmitters (chemicals in the brain that stimulate nerve cells) involved in causing pain.

Always check with your doctor to make sure your migraine isn't caused by something more serious! Knowing how to prevent migraines is the key. Visit The Migraine Relief for more information!