| ine is a terrible form of headache. The primary cause | | | | managing migraines. The method involves taking |
| of this condition is still unknown although there are | | | | nutritional supplements and certain drugs. |
| some theories that may trigger migraine. A huge | | | | A patient might have to alter his lifestyle to prevent |
| selection of pharmacological drugs is known to ease | | | | foods or any activity that leads to migraines. The main |
| the pain and other symptoms of this condition. | | | | goal is to significantly reduce the pain, duration and |
| Migraine is a condition of the brain characterized by | | | | frequency of occurrence. |
| headaches, nausea and changed bodily perceptions. It | | | | Migraine Medication |
| more frequently happens in women than in men. The | | | | Below is a list of drug class prescriptions effective in |
| word migraine is from a Greek term | | | | curing this condition. |
| “hemicrania” meaning half skull and the | | | | Beta Blockers |
| Old English word “megrim” which means | | | | This drug class includes atenolol and propranolol. The |
| severe headache. | | | | Cochrane Collaboration held a meta-analysis of 9 |
| A typical headache caused by this condition is | | | | crossover studies or controlled trials amounting to 668 |
| pulsating and unilateral. It lasts from 4 up to 72 hours. | | | | patients. They found out that propranolol has a relative |
| The symptoms include, vomiting, nausea, sensitivity to | | | | risk of treatment response. |
| light or photophobia and sensitivity to noise otherwise | | | | Anti-Convulsants |
| known as hyperacusis. According to studies, about a | | | | This includes topiramate and valporic acid. Again, the |
| third of the people suffering from migraine headache | | | | Cochrane Collaboration did a meta-analysis of 10 |
| identify and aura which is olfactory and visual that | | | | crossover studies or controlled trials amounting to 1341 |
| announces the headache. | | | | patients. They found out that anti-convulsants are |
| Causes of Migraine | | | | twice as likely to experience greater decrease in |
| Initial treatments are analgesics and anti-emetics. | | | | frequency with anti-convulsants as compared to Beta |
| Analgesics are for the headache while anti-emetics | | | | Blockers and Placebo. Nevertheless, there were some |
| are for avoiding triggering conditions and nausea. Its | | | | concerns about gabapentin marketing. |
| primary cause is still unknown. An accepted theory | | | | Anti-Depressants |
| however is a malfunction of the “serotonergic | | | | A type of anti-depressant is TCA or tricyclic |
| control system” for PET scans verified the | | | | antidepressants. Examples are amitriptyline along with |
| aura that corresponds with the transmission of the | | | | SSRI or “selective serotonin reuptake |
| cortical depression. This results to increased level of | | | | inhibitors” like fluoxetine. According to Cochrane |
| blood flow, which is over 300 percent greater than that | | | | Collaboration’s meta-analysis, SSRI is not much |
| of the baseline. | | | | effective like placebo. |
| There are migraine variants that start off in the | | | | Another study revealed that SSRI is beneficial or |
| brainstem featuring cellular transport dysfunction of | | | | effective on patients suffering with tension headache |
| potassium and calcium ions. Some others are | | | | and migraine. Nonetheless, there was not a separate |
| genetically predisposed. Studies show that twins have | | | | report among the effect of SSRI on patients with only |
| a 65 percent chance of genetic influence leading with | | | | migraine issues. |
| increasing susceptibility to migraine headache. | | | | A wide variety of pharmacological drugs are |
| Irregular hormone levels could also lead to migraine. | | | | evaluated so as to know their efficacy in decreasing |
| Thus we see many women feeling low, heavy, and | | | | the severity or frequency of migraine attacks. |
| dizzy just before their period. Pregnant women are | | | | Evaluated drugs include calcium antagonists, |
| also susceptible to severe headaches. | | | | beta-blockers, neurostabilizers, NSAIDs or |
| Preventive Treatments for Migraine | | | | “nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, SSRIs |
| Preventive treatment is also known as prophylactic. It | | | | and tricyclic antidepressants as well as other particular |
| may or may not be a significant component of | | | | drug therapies. |