Migraines cause extreme headache pain and nausea, sometimes accompanied by hypersensitivity to light and sound. Often, migraine sufferers can predict an imminent attack and prevent a full-fledged episode. An untreated migraine can last from four hours to three days and can cause significant pain and disruption of your daily life.
Pain Medications
For the pain of a migraine, you can try over-the-counter medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (like ibuprofen, acetaminophen or aspirin) or specific migraine medications that contain a combination of acetaminophen, aspirin and caffeine. These medicines can help a mild or moderate migraine and work best if you take them as soon as your symptoms begin. They usually are not helpful for severe migraines. According to the Merck Manual, overusing headache medicines can lead to chronic migraines, and using NSAIDs for a long time can cause ulcers and bleeding in your stomach and digestive tract, so you should use them only when you really need them and are fairly certain that they will be effective for you.
Relaxation
Known migraine triggers include stress, lack of sleep or too much sleep, flashing lights, sun glare and strong odors. Removing those factors can lessen the severity of an attack and help it end sooner, so most migraine sufferers prefer to weather their symptoms in a dark, quiet room. Migraines typically end once you can get some sleep, says the Merck Manual.
Along the same lines, progressive muscle relaxation, massage, meditation and yoga can help with a migraine attack and, if practiced regularly, can reduce the frequency and severity of your migraines.
If you suffer a migraine unexpectedly and do not have anything on hand to treat it, try relaxing in a dark quiet room with an ice pack wrapped in a towel held to the back of your neck.
Herbs and Supplements
Some clinical studies show that feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium), a member of the sunflower family, can prevent migraines and reduce their severity. Experts believe that the active ingredient, parthenolide, eases migraine symptoms by preventing the constriction of blood vessels in the brain. Not all studies have shown positive effects, and the outcome depends in the exact formulation that you use. Feverfew might increase your nausea. To prevent a migraine, try taking 100 to 300 mg (with 0.2 to 0.4 percent parthenolides) up to four times per day.
Extracts from the herb butterbur, high doses of riboflavin (vitamin B2) and co-enzyme Q all have been shown to prevent migraines in some studies, says the Mayo Clinic. To combat the nausea that often accompanies a migraine, you can grate some fresh ginger into hot water or sip on ginger ale made with real ginger.
About this Author
In 20 years as a biologist, Susan T. McClure has contributed articles to scientific journals such as “Nature Genetics” and “American Journal of Physiology.” She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Maryland. She enjoys educating people about science and the challenge of making complex information accessible.
