Preventive drugs
Patients who have more than two headache days per week are usually recommended to use preventatives and avoid overuse of acute pain medications.
Preventive medication has to be taken on a daily basis, usually for a few weeks, before the effectiveness can be determined. It is used only if attacks occur more often than every two weeks. Supervision by a neurologist is advisable. A large number of medications with varying modes of action can be used. Selection of a suitable medication for any particular patient is a matter of trial and error, since the effectiveness of individual medications varies widely from one patient to the next.
The most effective prescription medications include several classes of medications including beta blockers such as propranolol and atenolol, antidepressants such as amitriptyline, and anticonvulsants such as valproic acid and topiramate.
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Alternative approaches
Because the conventional approaches to migraine prevention are not 100% effective and can have unpleasant side effects, many seek alternative treatments.
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Physical therapy
Many physicians believe that exercise for 15-20 minutes per day is helpful for reducing the frequency of migraines. [3] (PDF)
Massage therapy and physical therapy are often very effective forms of treatment to reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines. However, it is important to be treated by a well-trained therapist who understands the pathophysiology of migraines. Deep massage can 'trigger' a migraine attack in a person who is not used to such treatments. It is advisable to start sessions as short in duration and then work up to longer treatments.
Chiropractic adjustments to the upper cervical spine are very effective in treating migraine headaches. There is research to support these claims. One study found that the upper cervical adjustment was just as efective as drug therapy for chronic cases. It is also noted that routine spinal adjustments help prevent the frequency, duration, and intensity of the headaches.[citation needed]
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Prism eyeglasses
At least two British studies have shown a relationship between the use of eyeglasses containing prisms and a reduction in migraine headaches.
Turville, A. E. (1934) Refraction and migraine. Br. J. Physiol. Opt. 8, 62–89, contains a good review of the literature and theories existing in 1934, and includes the vascular theory of migraine that is popular today. In that study, Turville suggests that many patients were provided with complete relief from migraine symptoms with proper eyeglass prescriptions that included prescribed prism.
Wilmut, E. B. (1956) Migraine. Br. J. Physiol. Opt. 13, 93–97, replicated Turville's work. Both studies are subject to criticism because of sample bias, sample size, and the lack of a control group.
Neither study is available online, but another study which found that precision tinted lenses may be an effective migraine treatment and which references the Turville and Wilmut studies can be found here. [4] (PDF)
Turville's and Wilmut's conclusions have largely been ignored since 1956 and it is widely believe that vision problems are not migraine triggers. However, a casual search of the usenet archives maintained by Google Groups shows many anecdotal reports demonstrating a relationship between migraines and eyeglasses. [5]
Most optometrists avoid prescribing prism because, when incorrectly prescribed, it can cause headaches. Prism has been proven effective at relieving motion sickness, which itself has many symptoms that are similar to the aura that accompanies migraine.[6]
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Herbal and nutritional supplements
50 mg or 75 mg/day of butterbur (Petasites hybridus) rhizome extract was shown in a controlled trial to provide 50% or more reduction in the number of migraines to 68% of participants in the 75 mg dose group, 56% in the 50 mg dose group and 49% in the placebo group after four months. Native butterbur contains some carcinogenic compounds, but a purified version, Petodolax®, does not.[citation needed]
Cannabis was a standard treatment for migraines from the mid-19th century until it was outlawed in the early 20th century in the USA. It has been reported to help people through an attack by relieving the nausea and dulling the head pain. There is some indication that semi-regular use may reduce the frequency of attacks. Further studies are being conducted.
Supplementation of coenzyme Q10 has been found to have a beneficial effect on the condition of some sufferers of migraines. In a well-controlled trial, Young and Silberstein found that 61.3% of patients treated with 100 mg/day had a greater than 50% reduction in number of days with migraine, making it more effective than most prescription prophylactics. Fewer than 1% reported any side effects. [7]
The plant feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) is a traditional herbal remedy believed to reduce the frequency of migraine attacks. Clinical trials have been carried out, and appear to confirm that the effect is genuine (though it does not completely prevent attacks).
Kudzu root (Pueraria lobata) has been demonstrated to help with menstrual migraine headaches and cluster headaches. While the studies on menstrual migraine assumed that kudzu acted by imitating estrogen, it has since been shown that kudzu has significant effects on the serotonin receptors. Kudzu Monograph at Med-Owl.
Magnesium citrate has reduced the frequency of migraine in an experiment in which the magnesium citrate group received 600mg per day oral of trimagnesium dicitrate. In weeks 9-12, the frequency of attacks was reduced by 41.6% in the magnesium citrate group and by 15.8% in the placebo group.[8]
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Non-drug medical treatments
Botox has been used by some sufferers in an attempt to reduce the frequency and/or severity of migraine attacks (Botox for Migraines).
Spinal cord stimulators are an implanted medical device sometimes used for those that suffer severe migraines several days each month[5].
TMS: On June 22, 2006, at the Annual meeting of the American Headache Society in Los Angeles, scientists from Ohio State University Medical Centre presented medical research on 47 candidates which demonstrated that TMS or Transacranial Magnetic Stimulation--a medically non-invasive treatment for treating Depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Tinnitus among other ailments--helped to prevent and even reducing the severity of migraines among its patients. Their research suggests that TMS is more effective than medications in treating migraines and that there is a neurological component to migraines; however, a larger study will be conducted in the future to better assess its effectiveness.[9][10]
2006-06-30 00:17:05
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answer #1
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answered by YAMAHA 4
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Quietness and rest in a darkened room once it hits. Good exercises are brisk walking, scalp massage and eye exercises, to create good body and head circulation. Ginko Biloba and St John's Wort are good herbs. Vitamin B6 is also helpful. Certain foods can trigger off migraine, like chocolate. Drink plenty of water and get plenty of sleep. But I know once it hits, thats it. It's such a disabling condition. When I get it I disappear and wait it out and just keep thinking about how good it feels once the blasted thing is over.
2006-06-30 00:43:43
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answer #3
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answered by vzhnri 3
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