Migraines are debilitating types of headaches that cause severe throbbing pain, usually on one side of the head, as well as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. Additionally, some sufferers experience auras, in which they see flashing lights, experience numbness, and experience difficulty speaking prior to the onset of a migraine. Approximately thirty-six million Americans suffer from migraines, and women tend to suffer from them three times as often as men. There is currently no cure for migraines, and treatment options are not always effective or long-lasting.
The debilitating effect of migraine headaches results in individuals having to be absent from work or social engagements. In fact, it is estimated that the loss of productivity and lost work time due to migraines costs twenty billion dollars each year. Migraine patients may take a variety of drugs to help ease the pain or prevent the attack in the first place. Other individuals, who suffer from chronic migraines, often do not respond well to traditional drug treatments and are offered prophylactic treatment drugs usually used for high blood pressure treatment and anti-depression therapy. Although these treatments may help for a limited time, chronic migraine sufferers often find the therapy becoming less effective over time.
A new treatment option is on the horizon, however, which may result in fewer trips to the doctor. The treatment, called infusion therapy, offers an infusion of a variety of drugs at one time, rather than the traditional use of one drug at a time. The therapy is conducted as an outpatient procedure eight hours a day during three consecutive days. Patients are monitored closely to ensure there are no adverse effects to the variety of drugs. The theory behind the infusion is that it will help to reset the brain and learn which medications are best for the patient in a shorter amount of time. The doctors administering the infusion hope to decrease the changes in the brain that may lead to a worsening of symptoms. Additionally, they hope that the infusion will lower the occurrence of too much medication resulting in rebound migraine headaches. The doctors also note that by using various medications at one time, they are less likely to have to guess as to how a patient will respond to one medication.
Finally, the doctors admit that the procedure is not pain free and does not represent a cure for migraines. Rather, patients will see its beneficial effects over time and hopefully, the migraines will be reduced to an occasional headache.
Filed under migraine treatment by on Jan 5th, 2010. Comment. 
For those suffering from migraines, a good, effective treatment option is worth its weight in gold if it can decrease or negate the debilitating effects of the headache. Doctors usually prescribe a variety of drugs to combat migraines, and there is constantly more research to find better treatment options. Despite all of this research, however, there is still no cure for migraines, and often traditional remedies stop working. Additionally, some individuals desire more natural courses of action to stop the pain.
Recent research indicates that particular integrative therapies work just as well as traditional drugs do. First, sufferers are encouraged to maintain a record of what triggers the migraines. For instance, many people note that certain foods, hormonal changes, alcohol, stress, additives, weather, or odors impact the frequency and severity of their migraines. If migraine sufferers keep of journal of their daily lives, including what they eat, if they exercise, what they do, etc., it may be easier to see what items should be avoided to prevent a migraine relapse. Further, they may also be able to recognize what brings stress into their lives and learn about ways to combat this, including meditation, yoga, or exercise.
Second, individuals do have natural remedies available to them if they do not want to use conventional migraine drugs. One of these remedies is acupuncture, in which the body is pricked with tiny needles in an effort to release endogenous opioids that are natural pain relievers. Further, research has shown that the benefits from acupuncture last for a long period of time, rather than simply providing temporary relief. In fact, European scientists were able to cut the percentage of those using medication in half just by using acupuncture. Some experts note that you will need approximately 6-12 treatments depending on the severity of pain. Additionally, some insurance companies cover the cost of acupuncture, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation survey. Finally, a review of twenty-two studies found that acupuncture works as well as, if not better than, common drug therapies at preventing migraines from occurring. If you are interested in trying acupuncture, contact your state’s acupuncture board or your insurer to find a licensed practitioner in your area.
Third, you may be interested in taking various supplements to combat the pain associated with migraines. Some useful supplements include herb butterbur and vitamin B2. The butterbur usage appears to significantly decrease the occurrence of migraines, according to various studies. The B2 also works to alleviate the duration of a migraine, as well as the intensity, but a doctor’s prescription may be needed for the high dosage necessary for some relief. Whichever natural option you choose, make sure to follow the directions on the package and discuss your therapies with a doctor.
Filed under migraine treatment by on Jan 25th, 2010. Comment.
