According to recent studies, people of color make up a relatively significant percentage of people who suffer from migraines. What stands out is that these people aren’t always diagnosed and may not be given effective treatments. African American men, in particular, might have to deal with the symptoms of a migraine headache on their own. If you have migraines regularly, it’s essential that you know what your options are so you can handle the lifelong illness.
This is your guide to the best migraine treatments available:
The medications that are used to treat migraines typically fall into two broad categories – abortive and preventive. Abortive or acute medications are used to alleviate or stop the symptoms you experience from migraines.
Some of those are over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and acetaminophen. The prescription-strength drugs are stronger and are more effective for blocking pain. These options include opioids, triptans, and CGRP antagonists, to name a few.
The preventive medications are generally designed for people who have chronic migraines and/or experience one almost daily. In cases like these, it’s better to use medication to stop the migraines from happening in the first place.
Some options include drugs that lower your blood pressure, anti-seizure drugs, and anti-depressants.
Botox injections can also be used to effectively prevent migraines.
READ: Can Botox Injections Help Your Headaches
Since migraines also come with nausea, your doctor may prescribe drugs to combat this. Bear in mind that all these medications can come with
side effects so discuss them carefully with your doctor before making a decision.
Additionally, some drugs will not be ideal for people with other conditions. For example, triptans are not always safe for those who have a heart condition.
There are a few options for people who prefer not to take medication but aren’t interested in taking a completely natural route to treat their migraines. Usually, this includes some kind of nerve stimulation in the brain.
Currently, there are several devices or headbands available that offer non-invasive stimulation of the brain. The aim is to reduce the symptoms of a migraine via electronic or magnetic pulses.
If you’re interested in these, it’s best to talk to your doctor so you know what to expect.
Treating migraines naturally doesn’t start at the point when you get one. Most people find that it’s helpful to adopt specific habits that prevent headaches from occurring in the first place.
For example, drinking water regularly is an effective option because dehydration can spark migraines. Additionally, certain foods can set off a migraine. It’s good to avoid processed meats, cheese, chocolate, red wine, and cultured dairy products.
It can also help to practice relaxing exercises like yoga and meditation. If you feel a migraine coming on, dabbing peppermint oil on your temples and forehead has been found to be helpful. Ginger is highly effective against nausea so using it in a tea or drink will give you some relief.
Migraines can be debilitating so it’s important to identify effective treatments as soon as possible. If you try the natural methods at home and get no relief, it’s time to see a doctor about what else you should do. In some cases, over-the-counter painkillers will be enough but there are times when stronger medications are your best bet.
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