| > | | | | migraine once it starts. Rest in a quiet, darkened |
| Migraines are classified as either "with aura" or | | | | room. Drink fluids to prevent dehydration, especially if |
| "without aura." | | | | vomiting occurs. Several medications may help relieve |
| Migraine is a type of headache and a recognised | | | | symptoms. However, the effectiveness of migraine |
| medical condition. Migraine is widespread in the | | | | medications is highly variable in different people. Some |
| population. In the U.S., 18% of women and 6% of | | | | medicines can prevent migraines. These include |
| men report having had at least one migraine episode | | | | propranolol, amitriptyline, ergonovine, cyproheptadine, |
| in the previous year. Migraines afflict about 30 million | | | | clonidine, methysergide, calcium channel antagonists, |
| people in the United States. They may occur at any | | | | valproic acid, carbamazepine, topiramate (Topamax), |
| age, but usually begin between the ages of 10 and | | | | and many others. Ergotamine tartrate preparations |
| 40 and diminish after age 50. Some people | | | | constrict the arteries of the head and may be used |
| experience several migraines a month, while others | | | | alone or in combination with other drugs such as |
| have only a few migraines throughout their lifetime. | | | | caffeine (Cafergot), phenobarbital, or Fioricet. |
| Approximately 75% of migraine sufferers are | | | | Propoxyphene or other medications that relieve pain |
| women. Migraines' secondary characteristics are | | | | or inflammation may provide relief for some people. |
| inconsistent. Triggers precipitating a particular episode | | | | Nausea should be treated early with Reglan, |
| of migraine vary widely. The efficacy of the simplest | | | | Compazine, or other anti-emetics. |
| treatment, applying warmth or coolness to the | | | | Migraines Treatment Tips |
| affected area of the head, varies between persons, | | | | 1. Conventional treatment focuses on three areas: |
| sometimes worsening the migraine. Migraine is a | | | | trigger avoidance, symptomatic control, and |
| neurological disorder that generally involves recurring | | | | preventive drugs. |
| headaches. Other symptoms may occur with the | | | | 2. Moderation in alcohol and caffeine intake, |
| headaches. Migraines are often classified based on | | | | consistency in sleep habits, and regular meals may be |
| whether they include an early symptom called an | | | | helpful. |
| aura. Visual aura is the most common of the | | | | 3. Triptans are a mid-line treatment suitable for many |
| neurological events. | | | | migraineurs with typical migraines. |
| Migraine is a true organic neurological disease. Migraine | | | | 4. Ergot drugs can be used either as a preventive or |
| with aura is characterized by a neurological | | | | abortive therapy, though their relative expense. |
| phenomenon (aura) that is experienced 10 to 30 | | | | 5. Sumatriptan and related selective serotonin |
| minutes before the headache. Most auras are visual | | | | receptor agonists are now the therapy of choice for |
| and are described as bright shimmering lights around | | | | chronic migraine attacks. |
| objects or at the edges of the field of vision (called | | | | 6. Anti-emetics by suppository or injection may be |
| scintillating scotomas) or zigzag lines, wavy images, or | | | | needed in cases where vomiting dominates the |
| hallucinations. Migraine without aura is the most | | | | symptoms. |
| prevalent type and may occur on one or both sides | | | | 7. Amidrine is sometimes prescribed for migraine |
| (bilateral) of the head. Tiredness or mood changes | | | | headaches. |
| may be experienced the day before the headache. | | | | 8. Intravenous chlorpromazine has proven very |
| Nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light | | | | effective in treating status migrainosus—intractable |
| (photophobia) often accompany migraine without | | | | and unremitting migraine. |
| aura. Migraine headaches affect about 11 out of 100 | | | | 9. Diet, visualization, and self-hypnosis are also |
| people. They are a common type of chronic, | | | | alternative treatments and prevention approaches. |
| recurring headache. They most commonly occur in | | | | 10. Massage therapy and physical therapy are often |
| women and usually begin between the ages of 10 | | | | very effective forms of treatment to reduce the |
| and 46. In some cases, they appear to run in families. | | | | frequency and intensity of migraines. |
| A migraine is caused by abnormal brain activity, which | | | | 11. Massage therapy of the jaw area can also reduce |
| is triggered by stress, food, or some other factor. | | | | such pain. |
| Migraine-specific therapies are designed specifically to | | | | 12. Botox is being used by many headache specialists |
| treat migraine attacks. Ergotamine preparations are | | | | for patients with frequent or chronic migraines with |
| no longer readily available. Several medications may | | | | encouraging results. |
| need to be tried before you find one that works. A | | | | 13. Try to avoid any factors that have triggered a |
| class of drugs known as triptans can relieve a | | | | migraine in the past. |