About 30 million Americans suffer from migraine headaches, according to the National Headache Foundation. Fortunately, our understanding of migraines continues to deepen, leading to the emergence of a variety of effective treatments. If one treatment doesn't cure your migraine headaches, don't give up. Work with your doctor until you find the treatment plan that is best for you.
Prevention
Prevention is the best cure for migraine headaches. To prevent future migraine attacks, keep a headache journal. Record the onset and severity of each migraine, including factors that may have triggered or exacerbated it, such as stress, changes in weather, sleep or eating patterns, caffeine, bright sunlight or dehydration. If you're a woman, track where you are in your menstrual cycle as well. If you start to notice a pattern---such as that you get a migraine when you get less than six hours of sleep---work on eliminating that particular trigger from your life. Regulating sleep, diet and your environment can stop potential migraines before they start.
Early Intervention
Whether you use relaxation or prescription medication to cure migraine headaches, start your treatment at the first sign of a migraine. If you get an aura---a visual disturbance---prior to the onset of pain, begin treatment as soon as the aura appears. If you don't experience an aura, intervene at the first signs of migraine pain. Because migraines become progressively worse, the earlier you start treatment, the better chance you have of stopping a migraine in its tracks. To catch migraines early, make sure your medication or other treatment materials are accessible to you at all times, including during work and travel.
Treat Migraine Immediately
The longer you leave a migraine unattended, the worse it will get. It's normal to want to push through the end of the workday or finish running errands before taking time to treat your headache. But during that time, your migraine will continue to build. If possible, take a break while you wait for you migraine treatment to kick in. If you're at home, lie down in a quiet room; if you're out and about, take a bathroom break, go out to your car, or close your office door for a few moments of respite.
Traditional Medications
Pharmaceutical companies have responded well to the needs of migraine sufferers. Over-the-counter medications such as Excedrin Migraine are specially formulated to treat migraines when traditional painkillers aren't enough. Prescription medications including Imitrex, Migranal and Maxalt can stop migraine headaches in many sufferers. If you suffer chronic migraines, ask your doctor about preventative medications. Antidepressants, beta-blockers and anti-seizure medications have all been effective in reducing migraine attacks.
Alternative Treatments
If you'd rather not use medication, consider taking the herb feverfew; the University of Maryland Medical Center found that 100 to 300 mg taken daily can both reduce migraine headaches and relieve a headache already in progress. According to the American Family Physician, 150 mg of coenzyme Q10 taken daily reduced migraines in 50 percent of sufferers. Some people claim aromatherapy, massage, or acupuncture relieves their migraines, although evidence for these treatments remains mostly anecdotal.
Warning
Consult with your physician before beginning a new migraine treatment regimen. Always tell your doctor how you are treating your migraines, even if you aren't using prescription medications. See a doctor immediately if a severe headache comes on suddenly, is different from your normal headache pattern, or is accompanied by confusion, vomiting or slurred speech.
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