The sudden onset of a migraine can throw a wrench into your day and quickly send you reeling to the ground. Searching for migraine cures becomes a desperate goal.  Although the harshness of symptoms in a migraine is unique to each person, common symptoms include localized headaches that range in severity, vomiting, nausea, increased sensitivity to light and to sound and visual distortions that can alter perceptions of shapes and objects, typically called an aura. The duration of a migraine ranges from several hours to several days.

Sadly, there is no clear cure for a migraine as the exact science behind the onset of a migraine is still under study. Migraines are mostly caused by inherited genetics but are manifested through certain triggers like a lack of calories, excessive stress or environmental factors and conditions. Beyond avoiding your migraine triggers, treatments and therapies are available that can help you cope with your migraines.

Here is a list of common treatments to mitigate the impact and prevalence of migraines.  While these are not cures, these are common treatments that have been found to be effective.  If you do suffer from migraines be sure to discuss all options with your doctor.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Anti-inflammatory drugs are often beneficial short term fixes for migraines that reduce swelling in the brain. One of the active motivators that causes many of the symptoms of a migraine is a swelling of arteries in the brain that exert pressure on that organ, causing ocular distortions and pain. However, long term used of NSAIDs can lead to bleeding and ulcers, necessitating their use only as short term fixes.

Triptans

This drug is the preferred treatment for migraines and are effective at not only limiting the pain of a migraine but also counteracting the nausea and sensitivity to light and sound that a migraine causes. Common medications under this umbrella include sumatriptan (Imitrex), rizatriptan (Maxalt), naratriptan (Amerge), zolmitriptan (Zomig), almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova) and eletriptan (Relpax). Side effects from these drugs are typical for prescription medication and include dizziness, loss of appetite and muscle weakness.

Ergot

Similar to triptans but associated with reduced cost and reduced effectiveness. This migraine treatment is usually recommended for people who suffer from mild migraines.

Anti-nausea medications

Mainly given to people who suffer more from the vomiting and nausea of migraines rather than the intense, localized headaches. Typically these medications are paired with another treatment to mitigate the onset of migraines.

Opiates

Prescribed to patients who are unable to take triptans or ergot as a way of managing the pain of a migraine. Common opiates, like codeine and other narcotics, are effective but habit forming and are usually a last resort for people with migraines.

Cardiovascular drugs

This preventative medication, beta-blockers is the most commonly offered solution, is believed to help reduce the frequency of migraines brought about by the swelling of arteries and blood vessels in the brain. However, it is interesting to note that researchers are still unclear why these drugs have any relation to the treatment of migraines.

Antidepressants

Usually provided to patients as a way to manage headaches, prescribing antidepressants for migraines is rare but can be effective for those who suffer from depression due to the frequency of their migraines.

Botox

A new treatment for migraines, injecting Botox into the forehead has been shown to help reduce the severity and frequency of migraines but final results are still very much unclear. This treatment often needs to be repeated every couple of months to ensure protection against migraines.

Suffering from this condition is extremely unbearable.  While there are no magic migraine cures, the treatments above have been found to be effective.  By discussing these with your physician you should be able to use some of these treatments to bring some relief.

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