Migraines & Headaches Traditional Treatment

Headache Medicine

Both conventional and alternative forms of treatment are regularly used to control, manage and prevent the symptoms associated with headaches and migraines.

Since the migraine headache affects the sympathetic nervous system which controls metabolic processes such as absorption of pills, most over-the-counter medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are ineffective at treating the pain of migraines. There are specific medications that address the unique symptoms and causes of migraines. Such medications either fall into the pain-relieving or migraine-prevention categories. Since migraine attacks are often coupled with nausea, an anti-nausea medication is often prescribed in combination with the migraine medication.

The primary migraine medications are as follows:

• Pain-Relieving: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as over-the-counter acetaminophen, aspirin or ibuprofen work to temporarily reduce the pain associated with migraines. But taken for extended periods of time, these medications can cause organ damage and gastrointestinal side effects.
• Triptans: This class of prescribed drugs addresses the symptoms associated with migraines such as nausea, light and sound sensitivity and pain. While not a prevention drug, triptans work by activating serontonin, the feel-good neurotransmitter and reduce inflammation in the cranial blood vessels. Common triptans include sumatriptan (Imitrex), almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpaz) and rizatriptan (Maxalt).
• Beta Blockers: Used as a preventive measure against migraine attacks, beta blockers, which are also used to treat hypertension and coronary artery disease, can be helpful in reducing the onset of an attack and its intensity.
• Calcium Blockers: Another kind of cardiovascular drug, calcium blockers like verapamil can also prevent migraines. Antidepressants: Tricylic antidepressants like amitriptyline (Pamelor) and protriptyline (Vivactil) affect the amount of serotonin in the brain and are often prescribed as a way to prevent migraines.
• Anti-Seizure medications: Drugs like divalproex (Depakote) and topiramate (Topamax), and gabapentin (Neurontin) are prescribed in low doses to prevent on the onset of migraines.

When it comes to tension and other kinds of headaches, NSAIDs are the most common forms of treatment. But since gastrointestinal side-effects accompany prolonged use of NSAIDs, it is necessary to work with a medical doctor for chronic headaches in order to develop an effective and safe treatment plan.