Migraine headaches are a type of primary headache known to affect children, adolescents, and adults. They are associated with severe throbbing pain on one side of the head. The pain can spread to the rest of the head as well. In various cases, the pain radiates from one side of the head to the other.
Migraine headaches usually occur with other symptoms like vomiting, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound. They are referred to as migraine attacks. They can last for hours or days on end. Sometimes, the pain from a migraine headache may be so severe that it can lead to the cessation of daily activities.
Treating Migraine Headaches
The severity and frequency of migraine headaches make it imperative for the individual to seek medical attention. Migraine headaches can be managed by prescription medication, several at-home self-care practices, and lifestyle changes
Migraine headaches can cause an unbearable amount of pain. Living with such pain can make it difficult for people to function properly. Therefore, it’s essential to visit a healthcare professional for prompt treatment.
Medication
Treatment for migraine headaches may include the following types of medication – pain relievers and preventive medication.
Pain relievers are given to treat migraine attacks. Such medications are part of acute or abortive treatment, i.e., to perform damage control and combat the symptoms of a migraine headache.
Preventive medication, as the name suggests, is prescribed to stop the occurrence of a migraine attack in the first place. These medicines are required to be taken regularly, as prescribed by the doctor. They are designed to reduce the frequency and severity of migraine headaches.
Your doctor may ask you to make some lifestyle changes such as eating habits, stress regulation, incorporating exercise into your daily routine, etc.
Furthermore, you can employ some pain remedies at home to relieve the symptoms of your migraine. They are as follows:
- Lie down in a dark, quiet room. Try to take a nap. You can also place a cool cloth or an ice pack over your forehead. Make sure that you drink plenty of water.
- Practice relaxation techniques like mindful breathing, meditation, yoga, etc. Anything that helps you tackle stressful situations or helps reduce the amount of stress on your mind is likely to help.
- Exercise regularly after consulting your doctor. Sudden strenuous exercise can trigger migraine headaches, so remember to start slow, preferably with a warm up sequence. Choosing a physical activity you enjoy will be most effective in reducing tension both from your mind and body.
Please note that obesity is often seen as a prevalent factor in migraines. If you exercise regularly, it may help you lose weight and maintain a healthy weight. This can help prevent migraine headaches.
Alternative Medicine
People suffering from chronic migraine headaches often find non-traditional treatments helpful in relieving pain and preventing headaches. Such treatments are especially effective in pain management. Some of them are:
Acupuncture
Acupuncture targets specific points on your body by inserting extremely thin, disposable needles to treat migraine pain.
Biofeedback
Biofeedback is an efficient way of managing not just headaches but any pain in general. This is primarily a relaxation technique that helps patients use certain equipment to monitor and modify physical responses related to stress and muscle tension. This essentially gives the individual a chance to reprogram the motor-neural connection.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that targets emotional regulation and provides patients with tools to deal with stress, paranoia, anxiety, depression, etc. When these mental processes start to attain some form of normalcy, it may reduce the frequency and severity of migraine attacks.
- Meditation and yoga help relieve stress, which is widely said to trigger migraine headaches. Practicing meditation and yoga regularly can be effective in dealing with pain.
- Massage therapy can be used to treat migraine headaches using trigger point massage which is a technique where a massage therapist applies pressure on the skeletal muscles that refer up to the head and neck region. When the pressure is then released the head and neck muscles eases the migraine pain.
Reach out to your doctor immediately if you are experiencing recurring and intense migraine headaches. Early and prompt intervention may help migraine patients regulate the intensity of their attacks. When it comes to migraine headache attacks acting fast on a course of action is critical when treating an attack. Make sure to always check with your doctor before you begin with self-help remedies or alternative medicine.
Conclusion
Massage therapy techniques can be used to treat migraine headaches that cause a huge a amount of distress and persistent pain. The worst part about migraine is that this headache disorder can’t be cured. However, the pain can be manageable and treated by various methods and course of action.
