Migraine Treatment

A headache can cause an unpleasant feeling of pressure and aching. This pain can range from mild to severe and usually affects both sides of the head. They can last anywhere from 30 minutes up to a few days.   

A migraine is a more intense and severe throbbing pain that normally affects one side of the head, although it can affect both sides. This pain can make it difficult to carry out daily tasks.  

Headaches from a migraine are often accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, pain at the temples, visual phenomena, vision loss, light sensitivity, sound sensitivity, and pain behind one ear or eye.

Yes, it is possible for children to experience migraines. Symptoms are usually like migraines in adults and can occur at any age, including infancy and early childhood. They often first appear in older children and adolescents.

A migraine is not usually dangerous, however certain rare complications associated with migraines can pose risks to health, such as: 

• Status migrainosus - a severe and prolonged migraine attack lasting more than 72 hours. It may require medical attention to alleviate symptoms and prevent dehydration. 
• Migraine with brainstem aura - dizziness, double vision, slurred speech and difficulty swallowing. Although rare, it may increase the risk of stroke. 
• Migrainous infarction - a rare complication where the migraine attack triggers a stroke-like episode, resulting in brain tissue damage.  
• In rare cases, other complications such as medication overuse headaches, which result from excessive use of pain relievers or serotonin syndrome, which happens when certain medications interact and cause excessive serotonin levels. 

A silent migraine, which is also known as a migraine aura without headache, triggers visual disturbances, sensory changes, or speech difficulties without the subsequent headache. Symptoms develop gradually over several minutes and can last for up to an hour.  

The best choice of migraine medication depends on various factors specific to the person experiencing the migraine. 

Triptans such as sumatriptan, zolmitriptan, and rizatriptan specifically target migraine symptoms and are often effective for relieving moderate to severe migraine pain, as well as nausea and sensitivity to light and sound.  

Over-the-counter pain relievers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen are usually the first line of treatment for mild to moderate pain.  

It can be difficult to stop a migraine once it has started. You may be able to shorten a migraine attack by taking migraine medication as soon as symptoms start. Resting in a quiet, dark room can help to reduce sensitivity to light and sound.  

Fluctuations in estrogen levels, especially before or during menstruation, pregnancy or menopause, can bring on migraines in some women.