According to the World Health Organization (WHO), migraine research statistics indicate that approximately 25 percent of women and nearly 10 percent of men suffer from migraine headaches each year. Migraine headaches can be extremely painful and debilitating, often lasting from 4 to 72 hours. The exact causes of migraine headaches are not fully understood, but involves changes in blood flow to the brain, resulting in constriction of the brain's blood vessels, causing migraine pain.
Migraine Headache Symptoms
Symptoms of a migraine headache include:
- Intense throbbing or dull aching pain, usually on one side of the head
- Nausea and vomiting
- Visual disturbances, including blurred vision, flashing lights, or blind spots
- Sensitivity to light, noise and odor
- Tiredness
- Confusion
- Stuffy nose
- Feeling cold or sweating
- Sore or tender neck and/or scalp
- Feeling light-headed
Migraine Headache Triggers
Migraine triggers vary for different individuals. Below is a list of some of the most common migraine headache triggers:
- Hormonal changes in women around time of menstruation
- Stress
- Hunger
- Changes in sleeping patterns
- Weather (Temperature, barometic pressure changes)
- Certain foods, including alcohol, tobacco, aged cheeses, chocolate, fermented, pickled or marinated foods, monosodium glutamate (MSG), aspartame, caffeine
Migraine Medications
Common medications used to treat migraines include: acetaminophen, aspirin, anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen, naproxen, ketorolac), or combining these with other agents such as caffeine or codeine.
Preventative prescription medications may be used to prevent migraines in individuals who suffer from frequent and/or severe migraines. These include: beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, tricyclic antidepressants, and some anti-convulsants (ant-seizure drugs).
Prescription medications used to treat a migraine headache at onset include: Almotriptan (Axert); Eletriptan (Relpax); Frovatriptan (Frova); Naratriptan (Amerge); Rizatriptan (Maxalt); Sumatriptan (Imitrex); and Zolmitriptan (Zomig).
Alternative Migraine Headache Pain Relief
The following options are available for those seeking drug-free alternatives to treat their migraine pain.
Migraines and Acupuncture
There is much research to indicate that acupuncture is an effective migraine prevention strategy, as well as treating mild to moderate migraine pain attacks. Acupuncture works by inserting fine needles into specific points on the body, which is said to increase blood flow to the tissues, allowing for an increase in circulation, and a potential reduction in migraine pain.
Migraines and Chiropractic Treatment
Some chiropractors believe that migraines are caused by a misalignment of the spine, causing irritation of the nerves that travel from the spine to the brain. By realigning the vertebrae of the spine through chiropractic adjustment, the pressure against the inflamed nerves can potentially be relieved, and consequently ease migraine pain.
Migraines and Biofeedback
Biofeedback is a mind-body therapy used to treat many health problems, including migraines. Biofeedback works by training individuals to control bodily functions normally done on their own. Thermal biofeedback is most commonly used to treat migraines. Migraine sufferers learn how to use their concentration to slightly raise their skin temperature and thereby increase blood flow and circulation. Biofeedback may also help migraine pain by reducing stress and helping with relaxation.
Migraines and Massage Therapy
A gentle massage combined with trigger point therapy is a good massage treatment option for migraine pain. A light massage will help with relaxation, increase circulation and blood flow; and the use of specific pressure on migraine trigger points can directly ease migraine pain.
Choosing the Right Migraine Treatment Option
Migraine sufferers have many options to choose from to help prevent and control migraine pain. Medications and alternative therapies both have their place in the treatment of migraines. An individual may choose one or combine several of the migraine treatment options available. The type of therapy an individual chooses to treat their migraine pain is dependent on both personal choice, as well as the advice of their family physician.
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