Medicinal Treatment For Migraine

What is Migraine?

A migraine headache can cause an intense pulsing sensation and throb in one area of the head. A migraine is normally accompanied by vomiting, nausea, and extreme sensitivity to sound and light. A migraine can cause significant pain to the patient for hours or even days. In some cases precede and the symptoms such as flashes of light, tingling in the arms or legs or blind spots can worsen with time and create more problems. Medications for a migraine can help in reducing the frequency and severity of the migraines. Self-help remedies and lifestyle changes can make a big difference in the providing relief to the patient.

Stages and Symptoms of Migraine

Migraine headaches generally start in childhood or adolescence. Migraines can progress through four stages:-

•    Prodrome.

•    Aura.

•    Attack.

•    Postdrome.

The patient generally does not experience all the stages.  The symptoms vary from stage to stage following are some of the symptoms

Prodrome

One or two days before a migraine the patient may notice subtle changes that may signify an oncoming migraine. Following are some of the symptoms the patient may experience in the Prodrome stage:-

•    Hyperactivity.

•    Depression.

•    Constipation.

•    Neck stiffness.

•    Irritability. 

•    Uncontrollable yawning.

•    Food cravings.

Aura

Aura can occur before or during migraine headaches. Auras are the symptoms of a nervous system that are usually visual disturbances. Most people experience migraine headaches without aura. Each of these symptoms gradually begins and, builds up over several minutes.

•    Flashes of light.

•    Touching sensations.

•    Movement.

•    Speech disturbances.

•    Visual phenomena.

•    Vision loss.

•    Pins and needles sensations in an arm or leg.

•    Speech or language problems.

Attack

When a migraine is untreated it usually lasts for around 71 hours. The frequency of a headache varies from person to person. During a migraine the patient can experience the following symptoms:-

•    Blurred vision.

•    Pain on one side or both the sides of the head.

•    Sensitivity to light.

•    Pain that has a pulsating.

•    Sensitivity to sounds.

•    Sensitivity to smell.

•    Nausea.

•    Vomiting.

•    Lightheadedness.

Postdrome

Postdrome phase of a headache can last up to 48 hours. Many of the symptoms of this phase appear initially during the prodrome or with the headache phase. Following are some of the symptoms:-

•    Alteration in the mood of the patient.

•    Sore muscles.

•    Food intolerance by the patient.

•    Fatigue

•    Impaired concentration.

•    Malaise.

•    Tenderness in the scalp.

•    Decreased energy requiring a period of rest.

Causes of Migraine

The causes of a migraine are still not understood but the genetic and environmental factor play an important role. A migraine can be caused by the changes in the brainstem and its interactions with the trigeminal nerve, a major pain pathway.

Treatment for Migraine

Migraines cannot be cured completely, but it can help the patient to manage their condition. A variety of medications is specifically designed to treat migraines. The type of medications recommended by the doctors depends on the severity of the headaches the patient is suffering from. Some drugs or medications are commonly used to treat conditions which help in relieve or prevent migraines. Medications used to combat migraines fall into two broad categories:-

Pain-relieving medications: - Pain relieving medications is also known as an acute or abortive treatment. These drugs are taken by patients during migraine attacks and are designed to stop symptoms that have already begun. For more effective results. Pain-relieving medications include:-

•    Pain relievers.

•    Ergots.

•    Triptans.

•    Opioid medications.

•    Anti-nausea medications.

•    Glucocorticoids.

Preventive medications: - Preventive medications are taken on a regular basis which is often on a daily basis. These medicines are used to reduce the severity or frequency of migraines. Preventive medications can reduce the frequency, severity and length of migraines. These medicines can also increase the effectiveness of symptom-relieving medicines which are used during migraine attacks. Preventive medications include:-

•    Cardiovascular drugs.

•    Antidepressants.

•    Pain relievers.

•    OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox).

•    Anti-seizure drugs.

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