Approved Migraine Medicines Treat Painful Symptoms
Currently, since there is no known cause for migraine headaches, there is also no know medication specifically for eliminating the presentation of the headaches. There are many forms of migraine medicines that treat the painful symptoms of these potentially debilitating headaches and dealing with the pain is only one way of treating migraines. Minor migraine headaches are most often treated using over the counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen, although the Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of a few migraine medicines that incorporate aspirin, acetaminophen and caffeine in controlled dosages.
In addition to the current batch of migraine medicines, other methods of dealing with the headache pain include cold compresses applied to the forehead or the back of the neck and more powerful non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. While the NSAIDs will typically require a prescription, they are being proven effective in at least dulling the mind-numbing pain associated with a migraine headache.
Those who are seeking more natural migraine medicines are finding that ginger is an effective treatment. Ginger is one of the few herbal alternatives that have been approved for use by children and pregnant women, and unless taken in excessive amounts pose to serious side effects. Persons who have used migraine medicines with ginger have reported relief from pain as well as fewer incidences of migraine headaches.
Most Migraine Patients Prefer Prevention
Patients who suffer frequently prefer to use migraine medicines that can reduce their frequency as well as the severity of the associated pain. Beta-blockers are commonly used in the treatment of high blood pressure but some have been found to reduce the frequency of migraine headaches. Beta-blockers often prescribed as preventative migraine medicines include timolol, metoprolol and nadolol. Although persons who have experience a stroke should not use beta-blockers unless under close watch by their physician.
While many of these drugs can help reduce the chances of suffering migraines, medicines can also have side effects such as reduced exercise capacity, fatigue and diminished sexual function. For those who are reluctant to take migraine medicines due to their side effects, lifestyle changes may offer some relief for sufferers.
Nitrates, often found in processed foods and sulfites used in preparing dried fruits are being blamed for being a trigger for migraine headaches. When migraine medicines do not seem to work well, or the side effects are worse than the headaches, a change of diet may be a viable option in reducing the migraine frequency, duration and intensity.
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