11. Caffeine
Caffeine is known to have vasoconstrictive effects, which means that it can cause blood vessels to constrict. This reduces the amount of blood that flows through them. Hence, the pain is relieved.
Caffeine is an ingredient found in most pain relievers. Hence, it’s the reason why drinking coffee can bring relief to a migraine headache.
10. Yoga
Yoga can also help treat a migraine headache. This mindfulness practice fires up the nervous system, normalizing both heart rate and blood pressure.
Certain yoga positions can improve circulation, which can help reduce the throbbing pain of a migraine headache. The breathing exercises of yoga can also alleviate stress by calming the body and mind.
9. Meditation
Meditation is a stress reliever. By staying still and focusing on the present moment, you get to calm your mind from anxious thoughts. This leads to a change of pain perception, which can lessen the burden of a migraine headache attack.
Regular meditation can also help you become calmer. You will be less reactive to your surroundings. In the long run, you can avoid stress.
8. Dietary Supplements
Taking dietary supplements can also treat migraine headache attacks. These are great alternatives especially if you don’t want to take medicinal drugs. Dietary supplements are considered as food.
Taking them is a good way to enrich your diet with the right minerals and vitamins that can help treat a migraine headache. Examples such as magnesium, vitamin B2, coenzyme Q10, and butterbur.
7. Over-the-Counter Drugs
Over-the-counter drugs can also treat mild symptoms of a migraine headache. Examples of these are aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen.
These medications can also be combined to treat a more severe migraine headache. For example, aspirin and acetaminophen can be taken together. However, it’s best to get with your doctor to see which combination of over-the-counter drugs suits you best.
6. Ergot Alkaloids
Ergot alkaloids help treat migraine headaches by constricting brain blood vessels. They modulate neurotransmitters such as serotonin, an inhibitory neurotransmitter that regulates pain.
These medicines also prevent the release of inflammatory proteins by stopping a brain nerve called the trigeminal. Examples of these medicines are ergotamine and Dihydroergotamine. They are widely used for treating migraine headaches.
5. 5-HT1f Drugs
5-HT1f drugs prevent the brain from releasing glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter. They help lessen brain activity without causing any disruption to the regular functioning of the cells.
Migraine headaches are caused by heightened brain activity in specific regions of the brain. Since 5-HT1f drugs can help lessen brain activity, the pain that comes with a migraine headache is significantly lessened.
4. CGRP Receptor Blockers
Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor blockers control the release of CGRP in the brain. Excessive release of this particular protein causes the outer layer of the brain to become swollen, leading to intense pain.
CGRP receptor blockers are injected into the body to relieve inflammation. It is considered to be the latest treatment for migraine headaches.
3. Preventative Drug Therapy
Preventive drug therapy consists of various medicines that reduce, if not, prevent the onset of a migraine headache. Also known as prophylactic drugs, they are primarily used for other health issues.
Examples of these drugs are anticonvulsants (used to treat epilepsy), beta-blockers (used to treat high blood pressure), calcium channel blockers (also used to treat high blood pressure), and antidepressants.
2. Trigger Point Injections
A trigger point injection can also help treat migraine. This particular treatment requires an injection of pain-soothing medications. These types of injections can be injected into the muscles of trigger points. These muscles of trigger points are usually in the neck, shoulders, and head.
Trigger point injections usually make use of medicines such as corticosteroids, local anesthetics, neurotoxins, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, and local anesthetics. They numb are affected area, relieving pain from a migraine attack.
1. Neuromodulation Devices
Neuromodulation refers to a technique that directly affects nerves. It is the process of altering nerve activity, also known as modulation. It usually involves the application of electrical current or pharmacological medications to a specific area of the body.
Neuromodulation devices are relatively new. They can help treat migraine by changing or adjusting nerve pathways in the brain. The nerves are not stimulated. Hence, brain activity is turned down.
These are migraine treatments worth considering.