Treating Migraine Headaches
Millions of people live with the pain and disruption that migraine headaches can bring. It's important to remember that while migraine cannot be cured, lifestyle changes and medicines can both play an important role in helping you find ways to manage migraine.
Lifestyle. Consider taking these everyday steps:
- Avoid possible triggers. If you know that certain foods trigger your headaches, choose healthy substitutes. Or, if strong odors or scents are your triggers, stay away from places where you can be exposed to them.
- Stay on a regular meal schedule. Have your meals at about the same time daily, and try not to skip meals.
- Follow a regular sleep routine. Wake up and go to bed at the same time each day. Try to develop habits that help good sleep. For instance, give yourself time to unwind and relax before bed. And save the bedroom for sleep—not work, TV, and other distractions.
- Exercise regularly. Being active helps reduce tension. It also eases anxiety and depression—feelings that can trigger migraines. You can enjoy activities such as walking, swimming, or cycling.
- Learn ways to manage stress. Try taking a break when you feel overwhelmed. Or, schedule tasks in manageable chunks at work and at home. Even finding just 10 minutes a day for deep breathing and relaxation can help.
- Keep track of your migraines. It may help your health care professional identify signs and symptoms of a migraine—so you can take steps to treat it early. Try using a migraine tracker or write down how you feel in a migraine journal. These tools can help you understand any patterns to your headaches.
Share this information with your health care professional during your next visit. Understanding your symptoms may help you recognize when a migraine is going to occur. Studies show that treating a migraine while the pain is still mild provides a better chance of effective relief.
Include details about:
- What triggered the migraine
- Any symptoms you experienced before the headache pain began
- When the migraines started, and how long they lasted
- How the headaches are affecting your daily life
- What provided relief—medicines, relaxation exercises, and so on
Medicines. Managing migraines also may mean taking medicine. Health care professionals advise taking medicines early in the attack while the pain is still mild. The medicines can work better.
There are 2 types of medicines for treating migraine:
Acute medicines relieve pain and help you function normally. They are usually taken as soon as headache symptoms are felt. The medicines may be prescription or nonprescription. It’s important to take the medicines as your health care professional advises.
Did you know?
Medication-overuse headache (also called rebound headache) can be a result of taking pain medicines more than 3 times a week. Medicines, such as analgesics, may provide some relief. But the pain may return as soon as the medicine wears off—and this may lead to a pattern of repeat headaches.
Preventive medicines are taken every day to help reduce the frequency of migraine attacks. They are not for everyone but may help people who experience frequent migraines (2 or more a month), or who have severe migraines that interfere with daily routine. Your health care professional can determine whether preventive medicine might be right for you.
Finding options that work for you. Choosing effective ways to manage your migraines depends on how often they occur and how severe they are. It also depends on how much your headaches interrupt and affect your life and other medical conditions you may have. Using a migraine tracker or journal can help you share more detailed information with your health care professional. Working together, you can find good options for lifestyle changes and, if needed, medicines to help you manage migraine pain.