Migraine Treatment - Procedure, Cost And Side Effects

Migraine is a complex medical condition with a range of symptoms. For most people, the main feature is a severe, painful headache. Some other symptoms include sensitivity to sound, light and odors, vomiting, feeling sick and disturbed vision.

Migraine treatments are helpful to relieve headaches and prevent future attacks. There are several medicines to combat the condition. Medications used to treat migraine can be classified into two broad categories:

1. Pain-relieving medications – Also referred to as abortive or acute treatments, these medicines are taken when suffering an attack and are meant to reduce the symptoms. The drugs help to stop a headache when it is in its prodromal stage or after it has started. Some of these medications can be administered as an injection into the thigh or as a nasal spray or as a wafer on the tongue. These medications are helpful and work instantly for people who vomit during a headache. This category of migraine medications include triptans that target serotonin. There are also drugs of the narcotic category that can help relieve migraine pain. However, as they are habit-forming, they are less recommended than the other specific migraine drugs.
2. Preventive medications - This type of treatment is considered if an individual has more than one migraine per week. These medicines need to be taken on a regular basis to decrease the frequency or severity of the headaches.

Preventive medication includes:

• Medications for high blood pressure - Beta blockers, Calcium channel blockers
• Antidepressants - Nortriptyline (Pamelor), Amitriptyline (Elavil)
• Antiseizure drugs - Valproic acid (Depakote), Gabapentin (Neurontin), topiramate (Topamax)
• Some anti-allergy and antihistamines drugs, including cyproheptadine (Periactin) and diphenhydramine (Benadryl)

There are several ways to treat migraine headaches including self-care measures, using prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs. Most individuals can take care of mild-to-moderate attacks with the following strategies:

• Applying a cold compress on the areas of pain
• Resting with pillows supporting the neck and head
• Sleeping in a dark and silent room
• Sipping caffeine
• Using some over-the-counter medications such as:
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS): Drugs such as Ibuprofen, Aspirin and Naproxen fall in this category. These kinds of drugs should be avoided by people with a history of stomach bleeding and ulcers.
  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol): Taking acetaminophen is quite safe, even if the migraineur has a history of stomach bleeding and ulcers. This medication, however, should be avoided by individuals who have liver issues.
  • Combination medications: Some pain relievers such as Excedrin Migraine, which contains acetaminophen and aspirin combined with caffeine, are used to combat migraine.

Migraineurs are eligible to take the treatment.

It is not recommended that you wait till a headache worsens to take a painkiller as often it gets too late by that time for the drug to work. Soluble painkillers are recommended as they are absorbed instantly by the body.

If you are unable to swallow painkillers due to vomiting or nausea, suppositories can be tried. They are capsules that are inserted into the anal passage.

Some of the migraine drugs are not advised if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Your treatment would depend on the severity and frequency of your headaches and your medical history. Your doctor is the best person to guide you about the right drugs for your condition.

Migraine medications may lead to certain side-effects.

Triptans can cause:

• Sleepiness
• Tingling sensations
• Tightness in the throat and chest
• Flushing

Ergotamines can cause nausea.

Beta-blockers can cause:

• Depression
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Nausea
• Low blood pressure
• Dizziness

Calcium channel blockers can lead to:

• Constipation
• Weight gain
• Low blood pressure
• Dizziness

Tricyclic antidepressants can cause:

• Dry mouth
• Weight gain
• Low libido
• Sedation

Return to the doctor if:

• You have a severe headache together with a stiff neck and fever.
• You have a headache that is different or is worse than your usual migraine ache.
• You feel dizzy, confused or have a seizure.
• You have issues with your vision, speech, movement or balance.

Migraine duration varies. Most headaches last 4 to 72 hours. Some people have it for a short time while some for a longer duration. Migraine length depends on the type of migraine you have and the treatment methods used.

An optical migraine leads to visual disturbances such as blind spots or zigzags or blurred vision in one eye, but no headache. This type of migraine usually lasts an hour or two. Classic migraines begin with a warning aura or sign and can cause a lot of pain. It can last for a day or two.

Common migraines can last for three or four days. This type of migraine usually causes pain on one side of the head.

The cost of migraine treatment depends on the type of treatment a migraineur opts for. While over-the-counter medicines come at a nominal price, treatments such as Botox can cost around INR 40000 to 50000.

There is no cure for migraine and no permanent treatment. However, regular intake of prescribed medications and adopting certain lifestyle changes can help to lower the frequency and severity of the condition.

Acupuncture - It is an ancient Chinese system of healing in which very fine needles are inserted into the body. This helps correct energy imbalances and reduces pains.

• Massages - Massages are a great way to relieve tension and reduce stress. It helps to relax the tightness in the neck, shoulder and head muscles and helps increase blood flow in those areas.
• Herbs - A variety of herbs have been used since ancient times to treat headaches. Feverfew and Butterbur are one of the most common herbs to treat the condition.
• Aromatherapy - In this therapy, migraineurs breathe in essential oils that help them relax.
• Yoga and meditation - The ancient Indian practice has been found to be extremely helpful in treating migraine headaches.