“How can I treat migraines?”
I have migraines. How can I treat migraines?
3 Answers
Brittnie Feitlich
Certified Nursing Assistant, Geriatrics
The obvious answer would be of course aspirin, however combining that with a quiet atmosphere, very dim lighting and rest should do the trick. Some people even benefit from head compression bands as well!
Here is a few simple Ayurvedic Herbal remedies for Migraines , however it is important to keep in mind it also goes hand in hand w healthy daily habits such as breath-work, meditation and diet.
1. Butterbur
Butterbur has been used traditionally to treat migraines, hay fever, and other inflammatory conditions. It contains petasin and isopetasin, which contain anti-inflammatory and vasodilatory effects. Butterbur attacks by inhibiting the constriction of brain blood vessels and reducing swelling. This alleviates migraine.
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba is known for its neuroprotective and vasodilatory effects. It contains compounds called flavonoids and terpenoids, which have anti-inflammatory properties. These compounds may help improve blood flow to the brain, and reduce and modulate neurotransmitter activity, potentially reducing the severity of migraine attacks.
1. Butterbur
Butterbur has been used traditionally to treat migraines, hay fever, and other inflammatory conditions. It contains petasin and isopetasin, which contain anti-inflammatory and vasodilatory effects. Butterbur attacks by inhibiting the constriction of brain blood vessels and reducing swelling. This alleviates migraine.
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba is known for its neuroprotective and vasodilatory effects. It contains compounds called flavonoids and terpenoids, which have anti-inflammatory properties. These compounds may help improve blood flow to the brain, and reduce and modulate neurotransmitter activity, potentially reducing the severity of migraine attacks.
Malgorzata Skiba
Critical Care Nurse, CVICU
Migraine treatments vary and vastly depend on clinical presentation. We will go over classification system, risk factors and options available in terms of preventative, abortive and pharmacological treatment. The International Classification of Headache Disorders distinguishes
between primary, and secondary, neuropathies & facial pains (ICHD, 2021), making treatment recommendations very specific. Migraine is a type of primary headache that can be further differentiated between with or without aura and chronic.
Furthermore, migraines with aura that are recurrent and last >60 minutes commonly occur in migrainous strokes which affect the posterior circulation of the brain 71%-92% of the time, (Lee et al., 2016). The migrainous stroke risk increases in smokers, women taking oral
contraceptives and patients younger than 45 years (Gryglas & Smigiel, 2017) A lot of what we currently know about the treatment of migraines has to do with research into prevention. Learning about risk factors and individual triggers for migraines is very important. Controlling risk factors such as blood pressure, smoking, oral contraceptive use and lifestyle changes reduce the risk of migraines and migrainous stroke events. Prevention of migraines includes identifying the food, drinks and lifestyle stressors triggering the incidents. The use of prescriptions such as antiepileptics, antidepressants, antiplatelet and antihypertensive drugs have been shown effectiveness in decreasing the number of episodes. Non-pharmacologic interventions reducing migraines include biofeedback, relaxation therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy. The pharmacologic approach includes abortive therapy where the acute treatment is most effective if taken within 15 minutes of pain onset. The type of drugs used depends on the severity of the headache and the best if stepped-care approach is used.
Alternative therapies used in the treatment of migraines include massage, yoga, acupuncture, chiropractic maneuvers, herbal supplements and biofeedback. A detailed headache diary describing the frequency, intensity, and time of occurrence will help the neurologist determine the best course of action and support (Vgontzas & Burch, 2018)(Zhang et al., 2017)(Wilson,2014, pp. 19–60).
between primary, and secondary, neuropathies & facial pains (ICHD, 2021), making treatment recommendations very specific. Migraine is a type of primary headache that can be further differentiated between with or without aura and chronic.
Furthermore, migraines with aura that are recurrent and last >60 minutes commonly occur in migrainous strokes which affect the posterior circulation of the brain 71%-92% of the time, (Lee et al., 2016). The migrainous stroke risk increases in smokers, women taking oral
contraceptives and patients younger than 45 years (Gryglas & Smigiel, 2017) A lot of what we currently know about the treatment of migraines has to do with research into prevention. Learning about risk factors and individual triggers for migraines is very important. Controlling risk factors such as blood pressure, smoking, oral contraceptive use and lifestyle changes reduce the risk of migraines and migrainous stroke events. Prevention of migraines includes identifying the food, drinks and lifestyle stressors triggering the incidents. The use of prescriptions such as antiepileptics, antidepressants, antiplatelet and antihypertensive drugs have been shown effectiveness in decreasing the number of episodes. Non-pharmacologic interventions reducing migraines include biofeedback, relaxation therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy. The pharmacologic approach includes abortive therapy where the acute treatment is most effective if taken within 15 minutes of pain onset. The type of drugs used depends on the severity of the headache and the best if stepped-care approach is used.
Alternative therapies used in the treatment of migraines include massage, yoga, acupuncture, chiropractic maneuvers, herbal supplements and biofeedback. A detailed headache diary describing the frequency, intensity, and time of occurrence will help the neurologist determine the best course of action and support (Vgontzas & Burch, 2018)(Zhang et al., 2017)(Wilson,2014, pp. 19–60).
