Migraine Headache Treatment

In the United States, over 36 million people suffer from migraine headaches according to the Migraine Research Foundation. Females in the age range of 25 to 55 suffer the most from migraine headaches. The amount of time a person suffers from a migraine can last from just a few hours to as much as 3 days and sometimes more and can drastically affect work, family, and social activities. In some cases, migraine headaches can be the reason people find themselves going to the emergency room of a hospital. Migraines can extend beyond the head, causing symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, sensitivity to light, tingling, visual disturbances, sensitivity to sound, smell, and even touch.

Migraine Symptoms

Usually, migraines start on one side of the head but can also spread to both sides. The worst pain from a migraine is usually around the sides of the forehead. An aura is often experienced by many migraine sufferers. This is a visual disturbance that can cause temporary blind spots, blurred vision, and even zigzagging lines or flashing lights. Many people with migraines describe their quality of life being affected such as feeling irritable, depressed, and wanting to go to sleep or at least lie down in a dark and quiet room.

Migraine Causes

People often wonder why do some get migraines and others don't? The research is inconclusive. What we do know is at the beginning of a migraine, blood vessels will constrict which can cause changes in vision. The blood vessels can then dilate, causing an increase of blood to flow into the brain which can wrap up the headache.

There are many triggers that may cause migraines such as alcohol, certain foods such as chocolate, aged cheese or meat containing nitrates or monosodium glutamate. Emotional or chemical stress is can also cause migraines such as crying, odors, hormonal fluctuations or loud noises.

Treatments for Migraines

Much of the research is not definitive on how to cure migraines. The two primary methods to manage migraines is to prevent or to decrease the pain once it is underway.

Migraine sufferers should keep a headache journal. Record the events that happened in your life for one day prior to the migraine so you can figure out what might have caused it. If you notice the migraine headaches coinciding with eating certain foods, prevention may require changing what you eat. If emotional stress is what triggers a migraine one might consider learning deep breathing or relaxation methods.

Medical doctors often prescribed medication for preventing migraines. Migraine sufferers can also take medication that constricts blood vessels in the brain as soon as they feel the headache starting. Although these approaches do work, all medications have adverse effects on the body. It is recommended to take a more conservative approach before administering medication.

Alternative treatments for preventing migraines include nutritional supplementation, massage, herbs, acupuncture, and chiropractic treatment. Sufferers of migraines and researchers have experimented with many vitamins, minerals, and herbs. Some of the herbs that have helped some sufferers, according to the Mayo Clinic, are butterbur and Feverfew. Vitamin B2, as well as coenzyme Q10, had also been found to be effective in reducing the frequency. It is recommended not to experiment with the supplements if you are pregnant.

Chiropractic Care and Migraines

Migraine sufferers often turn to Chiropractic as a method for relief from migraine headaches. Adjustments to the spine reduce pressure to the nerves that can affect the head and thereby lessen the severity and frequency of attacks in some clinical trials according to the medical center at the University of Maryland.

If you are a migraine headache sufferer please consider Chiropractic as a conservative, drugless approach. Call Snyder Family Chiropractic for a migraine headache consultation. 610-935-5900