Treatment for migraines is always a challenge. There is no cure for migraines in Western medicine. However, there are treatments for migraines that help reduce the severity of symptoms when they arise, and people can take steps to reduce the frequency and severity of episodes.

Listed below are the most common allopathic palliative medications for migraines.

Pain relief and other types of medication are some of the treatments for migraines that can help relieve the symptoms of migraines. Taking medication as soon as symptoms start may keep them from becoming severe.

Migraine treatment is aimed at stopping symptoms and preventing future seizures.
Many drugs have been developed to treat migraines. Medicines to fight migraines fall into two broad categories:

Medication to relieve pain – a palliative form of treatment for migraines.

Also known as an acute or abortive treatment, this medication is taken during migraine attacks and is intended to stop symptoms.

Triptans.

These prescription drugs, such as sumatriptan (Imitrex, Tosymra) and rizatriptan (Maxalt), are prescription drugs for migraines because they block pain pathways in the brain. Taking pills, injections, or nasal sprays can alleviate many migraine symptoms. They may be unsafe for people at risk for stroke or heart attack.

Dihydroergotamines (D.H.E. 45, Migranal).

Available as a nasal spray or injection, it is most effective when taken shortly after the onset of migraine symptoms for migraines that tend to last longer than 24 hours. Side effects can include worsening vomiting and migraine-related nausea.
People with coronary artery disease, hypertension, or kidney or liver disease should avoid dihydrogergotamines.

Lasmiditan (Raivs).

This new oral tablet is approved for treating migraines with or without aura. In drug trials, lasmiditan significantly reduced pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound. Lasmiditan can be soothing and cause dizziness, so people who take it are advised not to drive or operate machinery for at least eight hours. Lasmiditan should also not be taken with alcohol or other drugs that depress the central nervous system.

Ubrohepant (Ubrelvy).

Lasmiditan (Raivs). This new oral tablet is approved for the treatment of migraines with or without aura. In drug trials, lasmiditan significantly reduced pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound. Lasmiditan can be soothing and cause dizziness, so people who take it are advised not to drive or operate machinery for at least eight hours. Avoid alcohol or other drugs that depress the central nervous system when consuming Lasmiditan.

This oral antagonist of peptide receptors linked to the calcitonin gene is approved for the treatment of acute migraines with or without aura in adults. It is the first drug of this type approved for treating migraines. In drug trials, Ubrohepant was more effective than a placebo in relieving pain and other migraine symptoms, such as nausea and sensitivity to light and sound two hours after taking it. Common side effects include dry mouth, nausea, and excessive sleepiness. Ubrohepant should not be taken with potent CYP3A4 inhibitors.

Opioid drugs.

People with migraines who can’t take other medications can help with narcotic opioids, especially those containing codeine. As they can be very addictive, they are usually only used when no other treatments have worked.

Anti-nausea drugs.

They can help if your migraine with aura is accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Anti-nausea medications include chlorpromazine, metoclopramide (Reglan), or prochlorperazine (Compro). They are usually taken with pain medications.

Preventive medication for the treatment of migraines.

These medications are taken regularly, often daily, to reduce the severity or frequency of migraines.

Your treatment choices when using preventive meds depend on the frequency and severity of your headache, whether you have nausea and vomiting with your headaches, how disabling your headaches, and other medical conditions are.

Medicines that lower blood pressure.

These include beta-blockers such as propranolol (nderal, Innopran XL, and others) and metoprolol tartrate (Lopressor). Calcium channel blockers such as verapamil (Tarka, Verelan) may help prevent migraines with aura.

Antidepressants.

A tricyclic antidepressant (amitriptyline) can prevent migraines. Because of the side effects of amitriptyline, such as drowsiness and weight gain, other antidepressants may be prescribed instead.

Anticonvulsants.

Valproate and topiramate (Topamax) may help you get fewer migraines but can cause side effects such as dizziness, weight change, nausea, and more.

Botox injections.

Injections of a Botulinum toxin A (botox) about every 12 weeks help prevent migraines in some adults.

Monoclonal antibodies to the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP).

Erenumab-aooe (Aimovig), fremanezumab-vfrm (Ajovy), and galcanezumab-gnlm (Emgality) are new drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of migraine. They are administered monthly by injection. The most common side effect is an injection site reaction.

Also, some over-the-counter remedies may help during the migraine attack

Over-the-counter pain relievers include aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others). When taken for a long time, they can cause headaches from overuse of medications and possibly ulcers and bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract.
Migraine relief medications that combine caffeine, aspirin, and acetaminophen (Excedrin Migraine) can be helpful, but usually only against mild migraine pain.

It is important not to overuse medication, as doing so can cause a rebound headache. A healthcare provider can help a person determine how much of each medication is safe and effective. Apart from medication for the treatment of migraines, natural remedy is another migraine treatment that has been proven to be effective.

What is a migraine?

What is migraine is a frequently asked question online. Migraine is a result of specific changes within the brain. It causes severe head pain often accompanied by sensitivity to light, sound or smells. Migraines can be debilitating and a chronic condition that can impact daily life for some people.

Migraine is one of the most common conditions in the world, according to the Migraine Research Foundation. Migraines can run in families with children and adults known to have them.

In America, the Migraine Research Foundation estimates that almost 12 percent of people suffer from migraines.

Migraine vs headache

The topic of migraine vs. headache must be discussed because many people don’t know the difference. In this article, we will highlight what separates Migraines from Headaches.

Headaches cause head, face, or upper neck pain and can vary in frequency and intensity. A migraine is an extremely painful primary headache disorder. Migraines usually produce symptoms that are more intense and debilitating than headaches. Some types of migraines do not cause head pain, however.

What is a headache?

Experts have classified many different types of headaches into two main groups – primary and secondary.

Primary headaches refer to independent conditions that cause head, face, or neck pain. Examples of primary headaches include migraines and tension headaches. Secondary headaches result from another medical condition, such as an infection, stress, or medication overuse.

How is a migraine different from a headache?

A migraine is a primary headache disorder that can cause severe pain and other symptoms. People with migraines may experience recurring symptoms that doctors call episodes or attacks.

Headaches are only one symptom of migraines and can range in severity. Migraine can cause intense, throbbing headaches that last anywhere from a few hours to several days. A migraine headache usually affects one side of the head, but some people experience pain on both sides. A migraine episode can occur in four distinct phases, though not everyone experiences every phase

Migraine symptoms

Migraine symptoms are different for different people and may vary for everyone. In many people, they happen in stages.

These stages are listed below:

The premonitory or warning phase

This stage shows certain physical and mental changes such as tiredness, cravings for sweets, mood swings, feeling thirsty, and stiff neck. These signs can persist from 1 to 24 hours.

Aura (not always present)

The aura stage of migraine manifests in a wide range of neurological signs. This stage lasts 5 to 60 minutes and usually occurs before the headache. Migraine without aura does not include this step.

In some people, changes in the area of the brain’s cortex cause changes in their eyesight, such as dark spots, colored spots, sparks or “stars,” and zigzag lines. Numbness or tingling, weakness, lightheadedness, or dizziness (the feeling that everything is spinning) may also occur. Speech and hearing can also be disturbed, and people with migraines have reported trouble with memory, feelings of fear and confusion, and, more rarely, partial paralysis or fainting. These neurological signs are known as migraine’s “aura.” Adults usually occur before the headache itself, but in children, they can occur at the same time as the headache. It is possible to have aura symptoms without a headache.

These migraine symptoms stem from your nervous system and often involve your vision. They usually start gradually, over a 5- to 20-minute period, and last less than an hour. Migraine symptoms in the Aura phase include:

- See black dots or wavy lines,
- flashes of light
- hallucinations
- Have tunnel vision
- Have tingling or numbness on one side of your body
- Not being able to speak clearly
- Have a heavy feeling in your arms and legs
- Have ringing in your ears
- Notice changes in smell, taste, or touch

The headache or main attack stage

This stage involves a headache that can be severe or even unbearable. The headache is usually throbbing and worsens with movement. Some people describe pressing or straining pain. The headache usually occurs on one side of the head, especially at the beginning of an attack. However, pain on both sides or all over the head is not uncommon. Nausea (illness) and vomiting (vomiting) can occur at this stage, and the person with a migraine may feel sensitive to light, sound, or both.

Resolution

Recovery stage

Recovery is the final stage of an attack; it can take hours or days for the hangover-type feeling to disappear. Symptoms can be similar to those of the first stage and are often mirrored symptoms. For example, if you lost your appetite when the seizure started, you might be hungry now. If you are tired, you may feel full of energy now.

Postdrome

This stage can last up to a day after a headache. Migraine symptoms in the postdrome phase include:

- Feeling tired, wiped out, or cranky
- Feeling unusually refreshed or happy
- Muscle pain or weakness
- Food cravings or lack of appetite

Migraines causes

Doctors don’t know the causes of the exact migraines, although they seem to be related to changes in your brain and your genes. Your parents can even pass down migraine triggers like fatigue, bright lights, or weather changes.

For many years, scientists thought migraines were related to changes in blood flow in the brain. Most now think this can contribute to the pain, but it is not what starts it.

Current thinking is that migraines are likely to start when overactive nerve cells send out signals that trigger your trigeminal nerve, which gives your head and face sensations. This causes your body to release chemicals like serotonin and calcitonin gene-related peptides (CGRP). CGRP makes blood vessels in the lining of your brain swell. Then, neurotransmitters cause inflammation and pain.

However, some triggers listed below have been linked to the migraines causes:

Hormonal changes, for example, around the time of menstruation.
Emotional triggers, such as stress, depression, anxiety, and excitement.
Dietary factors including alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, cheese, citrus fruits, and foods containing the additive tyramine.
Medications include sleeping pills, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and some birth control pills.
Environmental factors including flickering screens, strong smells, secondhand smoke, loud noises, stuffy rooms, temperature changes, and bright lights.

Types of migraines

According to the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3), there are seven different types of migraines: the two major types of migraine (Migraine without aura and Migraine with aura), the four subtypes of Migraine with aura, and Chronic Migraine. The criteria for doctors to use in diagnosing these types of migraines are based on scientific evidence. Find out about the different migraine types below.

Migraine without Aura (formerly called Common Migraine)

Migraine without aura is the most common migraine-type diagnosed; around 60 to 70% of individuals with Migraine do not have an aura associated with their attacks, so Migraine without aura is their primary diagnosis.”

Symptoms include moderate to severe pulsating headache pain that is aggravated with movement. The headache comes with nausea and/or vomiting, photophobia (sensitivity to light), and/or phonophobia (sensitivity to sound).

Migraine with Aura (formerly called Classic or Complicated Migraine)

This type of Migraine includes visual disturbances and other neurological symptoms that appear about 10 to 60 minutes before the actual headache and usually last no more than an hour. You may temporarily lose part or all of your vision. The aura may occur without headache pain, which can strike at any time.

Visual aura is the most common, featuring a zigzag figure that may spread right or left across your vision. You may temporarily lose part or all of your vision.

Chronic Migraine

The condition is called chronic or transformed migraine when migraines occur 15 or more days per month over three months or more.

Abdominal Migraine

Abdominal migraine is a form of migraine seen mainly in children (most commonly those ages 5 to 9), but it can also occur in adults.

Hemiplegic Migraine

A hemiplegic migraine is a rare form that causes weakness on one side of the body, possibly accompanied by confusion or speech slurring. Like the symptoms of migraine with brainstem aura, hemiplegic migraine symptoms can be mistaken for stroke symptoms.

Ocular migraine

A migraine that involves visual disturbance is called an ocular migraine. Ocular migraines can develop with or without the accompanying pain of a classic migraine. During an ocular migraine or migraine with aura, you may see flashing or shimmering lights, zigzagging lines, or stars. Some people describe psychedelic images. It may also cause blind spots in your field of vision. Of people who report having migraines, one out of every five experiences this aura.

An ocular migraine is sometimes confused with a retinal migraine, but they are two distinct conditions. A retinal migraine is rare and affects only one eye. Loss of vision in one eye can be a symptom of a more serious medical issue. If you have vision loss in one eye, you should seek medical attention to rule out any underlying conditions.

What causes ocular migraines is unknown, but a personal or family history of migraines is a known risk factor. Doctors theorize that ocular migraine has the same causes as classic migraine.

Ocular migraine symptoms

Ocular migraine symptoms might be hard to list out. The flashing lights or blindness may be on one side of your vision but involve both eyes. If you’re not sure, cover one eye and then the other. However, listed below are common symptoms of ocular migraine symptoms

Affects one side of your head
Feel moderate or very painful
Throb or pulsate
Feel worse when you move around
Other ocular migraine symptoms may include:
Nausea
Vomiting
Being sensitive to light or sound

Treatment for ocular migraines

The visual portion of an ocular migraine typically lasts less than 60 minutes, so most people don’t need treatment for ocular migraines. It’s best to stop your actions and rest your eyes until your vision returns to normal. If you have a headache, take a pain reliever your doctor recommends.

If you only have vision loss in one eye, it could be due to a serious condition unrelated to migraines. Get medical help right away.

However, if these symptoms continue, medications are available for treating ocular migraines. Listed below are the medications for the treatment of ocular migraine

Drugs that treat epilepsy, such as valproic acid (Depakote, Depakene) or topiramate (Qudexy XR, Topamax, Trokendi XR)
Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), or venlafaxine (Effexor)
Blood pressure medicines, including beta-blockers like metoprolol (Lopressor) or propranolol (Inderal), and calcium-channel blockers such as nicardipine (Cardene) and verapamil (Calan)
CGRP inhibitors, including eptinezumab (Vyepti), erenumab (Aimovig), fremanezumab (Ajovy), galcanezumab (Emgality)

Natural Migraine Remedies – effective and safe treatment for migraines

Natural remedies for migraines are a natural way to reduce symptoms of migraines without causing any side effects. Listed below are natural remedies for migraines.

Not all headache or migraine attacks are preventable, but regular use of these home remedies can improve your quality of life.

If you suffer from frequent headaches or migraines, you may be wondering if there is a way to prevent them – or what might help relieve your pain and other symptoms when you do. Even if your doctor has prescribed medications or other treatments, are there additional steps you can take?

The answer is yes. While home remedies and lifestyle changes alone cannot prevent or relieve all headaches or migraine attacks, they can have an additive effect when used with therapies prescribed by a doctor.

Understanding what causes or triggers headaches and migraine attacks can help you identify self-care types that might prevent them.

Home remedies for migraines – most popular treatment for migraines

Home remedies for migraines are easy to achieve and help relieve the symptoms of migraines. Listed below are some effective home remedies for migraines:

Cool It Down

This home remedy for migraines involves putting an ice pack on your forehead, scalp, or neck to relieve pain. Experts aren’t sure exactly why it works, but reducing the blood flow might be part of it. You can also try a frozen gel pack or a washcloth that’s been rinsed in cold water.

A dark, quiet room

Bright light and loud noises can make your headache worse. So find a spot away from the action and pull down the shades when you have a migraine. It can help speed up your recovery.

Exercises

Don’t try it when you’re in the middle of a migraine attack because it can make you hurt more. But when you feel well, a regular workout can prevent headaches. It makes your body release endorphins, chemicals that fight pain. It also eases stress and helps you sleep better.

Magnesium

You find this mineral in dark-green veggies, whole grains, and nuts. It won’t help while you’re having a migraine, but some studies show it could prevent one. You can also take it in pill form, but always check with your doctor before you take supplements.

Diet for migraines – an essential part of any natural treatment for migraines

Diet for migraines plays a vital role in preventing migraines. Diets of migraine to avoid include:

Foods with nitrates, including hot
Dogs, deli meats, bacon, and sausage
Chocolate
Cheese that contains the
Naturally occurring compound tyramine, such as blue, feta, cheddar, Parmesan, and Swiss
Alcohol, especially red wine
Foods that contain monosodium
Foods that are very cold, such as ice
Cream or iced drinks
Processed foods
Dried fruits
Cultured dairy products such as
Buttermilk, sour cream, and yogurt

A small amount of caffeine may ease migraine pain in some people. Caffeine is also in some migraine medications. But, too much caffeine may cause a migraine. It may also lead to a severe caffeine withdrawal headache.

Keep a daily food diary to determine which foods and beverages trigger your migraines. Record everything you eat and note how you feel afterward.

Acupuncture for migraine – ancient Chinese natural treatment for migraines

Many patients are eager to discover other treatments when traditional medicine has not helped alleviate migraine pain. Acupuncture was developed in ancient China by piercing specific body areas with a needle to relieve pain. According to Chinese practice, there are 14 meridians along the body, and pain or illness can occur in the event of an energy disturbance along these meridians. While there is a lot of research, acupuncture has mixed reviews in the migraine community. Here’s what we believe migraine sufferers need to know about acupuncture before scheduling a consultation with a specialist.

Acupuncture is a component of traditional Chinese medicine. It involves inserting very thin needles into pressure points on your body.

Acupuncture for migraines removes the negative energy that is causing you pain. Acupuncture for migraines stimulates various systems of your body. This may trigger a healing response.

Herbs for migraines – an effective home-based treatment for migraines.

Herbs are natural remedies for migraine that have also been proven to be effective. Listed below are some popular and commonly used herbs for migraines

Basil

This herb for migraine is a fresh Italian herb that is said to have an analgesic effect, helping stimulate the body’s natural processes and relieving pain

Catnip

Catnip acts as a mild sedative. A member of the mint family, it’s another alternative natural migraine remedy. The plant is a mild sedative and has been employed in traditional herbology for centuries. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce stress and anxiety (which are often the source of migraines).

Chamomile

A mild sedative with relaxing qualities, a cup of chamomile tea can soothe your sorrows and alleviate stress-induced headaches. Chamomile tea can also act as an anti-inflammatory and help to reduce muscle spasms.

Homeopathic remedies for migraine – Natural and safe homeopathic treatment for migraine

Homeopathic remedies for migraines are highly effective and safe. While headaches tend to be extremely frustrating and cause a lot of pain, most of the time, taking paracetamol, taking a nap or just a cup of strong coffee is enough to cure headaches.

However, these typical headache remedies aren’t as effective when treating migraines. Patients suffering from migraines can only wish to cure it was just as easy as going to sleep or sipping coffee. We all know that trying to nap with a migraine is nearly impossible.

Also, having a headache doesn’t necessarily stop one from functioning completely, but migraines most definitely do. A person with a migraine often suffers from dizziness, nausea, visual disturbances, confusion, and light sensitivity. As such, doing everyday tasks like going to the market or driving makes it impossible.

This is where homeopathic treatment for migraines comes in. It provides excellent scope for getting rid of migraines using natural medicines. While conventional treatments only offer temporary relief, homeopathic remedies for migraines promise a permanent remedy.

In this article, we’ll discuss homeopathy, its effectiveness when treating migraines naturally, and whether it’s safe or not.

About Homeopathy and Homeopathic Medicines for Migraines

Homeopathy is a medical system based on a study known as the “law of similarity”. A key principle behind homeopathic treatment in general and particularly homeopathic treatment for migraines is the basic belief of “like cures like,” meaning the same substance that can cause symptoms can also be used in treating those symptoms.

Another principle belief behind homeopathy is the trituration process, which involves diluting and shaking. Homeopaths think that the more the medicine content is diluted in this manner, the stronger its effectiveness in treating symptoms.

Most homeopathic remedies and specific remedies for migraines consist of ingredients that have been weakened by diluting several times in water or alcohol. Homeopaths believe that this step helps in transferring the healing essence. They also believe that the lower the dosage, the more effective the medicine.

Many strong homeopathic medicines contain almost none or zero of the original ingredients. They are available in various forms, like gels, tablets, liquid drops, and sugar pellets. You can read more about homeopathic remedies in our general article.

Homeopathy treats various conditions, including chronic illnesses like depression, allergies, premenstrual syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, and migraines.

Homeopathic treatment for Migraines

Homeopathy has a great clinical record in healing migraines successfully and safely. Such medicines are quite effective in treating chronic and acute migraine attacks. Homeopathy determines and treats symptoms at the root.

Homeopathic treatment for migraines focuses on reducing the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks. Also, migraines without or with aura respond quite well to homeopathic remedies.

According to the homeopathic medical system, a migraine is a chronic illness that occurs periodically. A person can suffer from an acute migraine problem, but since it is recurrent and periodic, it requires continuous homeopathic treatment whenever one experiences a migraine attack.

Such medicines need to be consumed even when there’s no attack so that the intensity and frequency of subsequent attacks are reduced and eventually stopped.

In all cases of chronic and acute illnesses, homeopathy follows the principle of individualization, meaning even if two patients suffer from the same kind of migraine, the homeopathic practitioner will thoroughly examine each individual’s whole case history. This includes each person’s specific symptoms, stress levels, personal traits, and medical and family history. The doctor then recommends a suitable treatment for each patient to determine effective and permanent cures.

Here are some of the most commonly used homeopathic medicines for migraines.

Belladonna: This is among the best medicines in homeopathy and is quite effective in treating migraines with severe throbbing, pulsating headaches.
Sanguinaria Canadensis and Iris Versicolor are the best homeopathic medicines for curing right-sided migraines. Iris Versicolor is effective in healing migraines associated with vomiting or acidity and intense nausea. It is also helpful for those who experience blurry sight before they get a migraine. Sanguinaria Canadensis is usually prescribed to one who suffers from migraines from morning to sunset. It’s also effective in treating menopause.

Nux Vomica: It’s an effective homeopathic remedy for migraines associated with gastric problems.
Natrum Carbonicum: It is very helpful in treating migraines caused by exposure to sunlight.
Natrum Murlaticum: It is the best homeopathic remedy for migraines that worsen during menstrual. It’s also the best prescription for people who experience a numbness or tingling sensation in their lips, tongue, or nose before the migraine attack.
Kalium Phosphoricum: It’s best known for treating stress-related migraines.
Sepia: This is another effective homeopathic prescription for migraines in women during menopause.
Spigelia is the most effective homeopathy medicine for treating left-sided migraines.
Glonoinum: This homeopathic medicine is very effective in healing congestive migraines. It’s also an excellent treatment for migraines caused by sun exposure.

There are, of course, some other homeopathic prescriptions that work quite well in relieving migraines. However, you should always consult your homeopath regarding the treatment’s duration and appropriate dosage (s).

Do Homeopathic Medicines for Migraine Cause Side Effects? Are They Safe?

Generally speaking, homeopathic treatment does not pose any side effects. Homeopathic medicines are generally safe. Also, any adverse side effects that may arise from consuming these remedies are thought to be quite mild.

Sometimes, one may experience temporary aggravation at first during the treatment. However, this aggravation indicates that the medicine is most suitable for the specific symptom and is working effectively to cure the illness of the root cause.

Inappropriately selected homeopathic remedies for migraines in terms of inaccurate doses, potency, or wrongly indicated medicine may also cause side effects when taken for a long period for migration or any other illness.

Even if a prescription is partially appropriate to treat some symptoms, a homeopathic practitioner can control any side effects it might cause by altering the medication or by increasing or reducing its potency.

Side effects generally occur when one tries to self-medicate without proper guidance from a homeopath. As such, it’s always advised to never self-medicate or self-treat.

Conclusion

Thus, one can agree that homeopathic treatment for migraines is quite effective in treating all types of this stubborn medical condition. Also, because homeopathy focuses on treating the root cause of the symptoms naturally, it is quite safe and poses almost no side effects. Alternative medicine is a powerful way of providing a holistic treatment for migraines and tackling it from the root.

Homeopathic Treatment for Migraines in Philadelphia

Philadelphia Homeopathic Clinic is the #1 homeopathic facility in the City of Brotherly Love and the suburbs. Our clinic is a division of the internationally recognized Philadelphia Holistic Clinic directed by the Medical Doctor, homeopath, acupuncturist, and clinical hypnotherapist Victor Tsan. Dr. Tsan has 40+ years of academic and clinical experience in holistic and integrative medicine. Contact Philadelphia Homeopathic Clinic (267) 403-3085 to book your appointment for a homeopathic evaluation or use our online secure application.

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