Natural Home Remedies for Migraines Headache at Headaches-Migraine-Relief.com

The type of headache is also known by the duration; migraines often last four hours or sometimes even for days. The severity of the pain is often moderate to severe. A severe intensity of pain is often associated with the harsher side effects. The migraine has “triggers” which may furthermore aggravate them. These may be situations such as stress, fatigue, hormonal changes, changes in the weather, food allergies or sensitivities, and even other medical conditions. Side Effects

However, the side effects of migraine headaches vary between people. While for some it causes only the pain, whereas others may have side effects such as nausea, light sensitivity, noise sensitivity, body aches, and fatigue. A doctor should be consulted foe curbing these side effects. Many allopathic as well as herbal medications are available for the cure.

Nausea is caused by sensitivity to smell and physical stomach pain, when suffering a migraine. The patient would find comfort in a place free of food or other smells. Sometimes in severe cases the nausea can be accompanied by vomiting. The doctor should be consulted immediately unless the other viral cause is known.

Environmental sensitivities such as light or sound are among the catalyst and aggravating situation. For a person suffering from the headache, the head is already throbbing with pain. Light or sound can seem to further agitate the situation. The best remedy for most people is a long rest in a dark room.

Dietary Triggers

Dietary triggers of migraines are comestibles like chocolate, banana or red wine. If a person notices a particular sensitivity to any particular foods, they should avoid the foods for a while then reincorporate the offending food in small amounts until there is no longer sensitivity. The doctor should be consulted.

Other dietary factors can include caffeine consumption (either too much caffeine or excessive withdrawal) and how often one takes his meals; even skipping meals can give a person a migraine headache, this is because the drop in blood sugar from missing a proper meal causes all imbalances and thus may trigger a migraine headache. Having too much caffeine or withdrawal from caffeine can also trigger a migraine headache. Knowing that a person has this type of trigger can help them avoid it.

Existing Medical Conditions

Existing medical conditions such as asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome, and sleeping disorders can contribute to migraine headaches. These headaches might also be hereditary, and surprisingly, a startling four of five migraine sufferers have a family history of the condition. For example, if one parent has a history of migraine headaches, the children each have a 50% chance of having migraines themselves; if both parents have a history the children’s chances jump to 75%.

Taking care of the symptoms, individual triggers, and how these factors react with existing medical conditions the person can chary the migraine. Medications are always available but a doctor should be consulted for evaluating your medical status and to the best medications.

For more information about Migraine Headaches

Having a migraine headache can be the worst feeling in the world. Sensitivity to light; noise, even movement can cause a migraine headache to increase in pain. If you have ever had a migraine, you know it can leave you irritated and, at times, debilitated for as long as it lasts. Well, there is some good news for migraine sufferers. There are natural headache relief solutions to this on-going problem.

The cause of migraine is unknown. The condition may result from a series of reactions in the central nervous system caused by changes in the body or in the environment. There is often a family history of the disorder, suggesting that migraine sufferers may inherit sensitivity to triggers that produce inflammation in the blood vessels and nerves around the brain, causing pain.

Migraine pain is often described as throbbing or pulsating pain that is intensified by routine physical activity, coughing, straining, or lowering the head. The headache is often so severe that it interferes with daily activity and may awaken the person. The attack is debilitating, and migraine sufferers are often left feeling tired and weak once the headache has passed.

A migraine typically begins in a specific area on one side of the head, then spreads and builds in intensity over 1 to 2 hours and then gradually subsides. It can last up to 24 hours, and in some cases, several days. Some of the causes of migraine headaches may be attributed to the following:

- Did you forego your caffeine fix in the morning? This would certainly bring on a migraine, at least for most of us.

- Perhaps your body is filled with toxins. Drink plenty of water every day to eliminate the potential pain.

- Exercise is a great stress-reliever. Stress induces headaches, and therefore a proper exercise regimen is in order. Yoga can help maintain a calm and balanced you.

- Are you lacking sleep? This can also cause migraines to occur. Sleep deprivation can cause many problems; so ensure you are receiving at least seven to eight hours sleep a night.

- Another factor which may cause a migraine may be in the food you consume. MSG in Chinese food, or caffeine in chocolate, and nitrates in processed foods are the main culprits.

- Alcohol can also cause migraines, specifically red wine.

- Hormonal changes can also contribute to migraines. Check with your doctor to determine what methods can be followed to relieve your pain.

Headaches are, unfortunately, a fact of life. We all live in a world where everything has to be accomplished yesterday, and there doesn’t seem to be room enough to enjoy life. To avoid migraine headaches, improving your diet, exercise, and overall health is the only way to eliminate the pain, and often help control the causes of migraine headaches which keep you from living each day to its fullest.

Many doctors believe that people commonly mistake a migraine headache for a sinus headache. This can be because migraine headache causes can be similar to what most people think causes sinus headaches.

One of the migraine headache causes people commonly mistake for sinus headache causes is the weather. The change in air pressure causes many people to have migraine headaches, some people are so sensitive to this change that even high humidity can change cause migraine headaches.

Food Sensitivities

Food sensitivities can also cause migraine headaches. Common foods are dairy products, artificial sweeteners, chocolate, alcohol, processed meat products (lunch meat, hot dogs), caffeine, and most fatty foods.

For a person to determine if their migraine headache cause is food related there are simple tests that can help to make this clear. A doctor may suggest omitting the suspect food from the person’s diet for a set amount of time or keeping a food and headache diary, recording what foods the person eats and which of those days headaches occur to try to establish a pattern.

Environmental Factors

Some migraine headache causes are from a person’s surroundings such as bright lights, strong smells or rhythmic motion. There are many external migraine headache causes which people cannot always avoid, these people may be able to take some precautions such as wearing sun glasses or taking an over the counter motion sickness medication if the nausea leads to headaches when traveling.

Mental Stress

Stress is a common cause of migraine headaches. Many people have anxiety from situations in the work place, at home, with family, and many other situations which lead to severe headaches.

Depression has also been linked as a possible migraine headache cause; when people suffer from depression they tend to use extra stimulants such as coffee or nicotine to compensate for their moods which can also cause migraine headaches. Some people also tend to consume alcohol when they are depressed to cope with their feelings. An excess of alcohol is also a known cause of migraine headaches.

Physical Causes

A disruption in a person’s normal sleeping pattern can also be one of a migraine headache’s causes, every person’s body requires a unique amount of sleep, for most people that is between six and nine hours each night. When a person has trouble sleeping it can affect their whole next day by plaguing them with severe head pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light or sound.

This can also be true if a person is getting too much sleep either all at once or by napping throughout the day. Most people thrive on sleeping for a set amount of time each day waking and sleeping at the same times, for some migraine headache sufferers regulating their sleeping pattern could reduce their occurrence of headaches immensely.

There are many more migraine headache causes, if a person thinks they may be suffering from migraine headaches, they should consult a doctor. No one should suffer with migraine pain because there are so many medications, some with very rare and mild side effects which can help migraines last less than an hour instead of hours or days which are common to some sufferers.

Migraine is a neurological disease of which the most common symptom is an intense and disabling episodic headache. Migraine headaches are usually characterized by severe pain on one or both sides of the head. Absent serious head injuries, stroke, and tumors, the recurring severity of the pain indicates a vascular headache rather than a tension headache . More than 28 million Americans three times more women than men suffer from migraine headaches, a type of headache that’s often severe. In some cases, these painful headaches are preceded or accompanied by a sensory warning sign such as flashes of light, blind spots or tingling in your arm or leg. A migraine headache is also often accompanied by other signs and symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Migraine pain can be excruciating and may incapacitate you for hours or even days. Fortunately, management of migraine headache pain has improved dramatically in the last decade. If you’ve seen a doctor in the past and had no success, it’s time to make another appointment. Although there’s still no cure, medications can help reduce the frequency of migraine headaches and stop the pain once it has started. The right medicines combined with self-help remedies and changes in lifestyle may make a tremendous difference for you.

A migraine headache is a throbbing or pulsating headache that is often one sided (unilateral) and associated with nausea; vomiting; sensitivity to light, sound, and smells; sleep disruption; and depression. Attacks are often recurrent and tend to become less severe as the migraine sufferer ages. Migraine headaches seem to be caused in part by changes in the level of a body chemical called serotonin. Serotonin plays many roles in the body, and it can have an effect on the blood vessels. When serotonin levels are high, blood vessels constrict (shrink). When serotonin levels fall, the blood vessels dilate (swell). This swelling can cause pain or other problems. Many things can affect the level of serotonin in your body, including your level of blood sugar, certain foods and changes in your estrogen level if you’re a woman.

Causes of Migraine

The cause of migraine is unknown. The condition may result from a series of reactions in the central nervous system caused by changes in the body or in the environment. There is often a family history of the disorder, suggesting that migraine sufferers may inherit sensitivity to triggers that produce inflammation in the blood vessels and nerves around the brain, causing pain. Many factors can trigger migraines, including tiredness, stress, dehydration, missed or delayed meals, and certain food and drinks, such as cheese, chocolate, coffee, tea and alcohol.

Symptoms of Migraine

1. Anxiety

2. Exposure to light

3. Sensitivity to light and sound

4. Lack of food or sleep

5. Nausea with or without vomiting

6. Stress

Treatment of Migraine

1. Try avoiding any food which seems implicated and at a later stage take a small trial dose of the food again to see whether it genuinely is involved.

2. Sometimes bathing your head in cold water or using a cold compress on the forehead is helpful.

3. At the first symptom of an attack take a pain killer eg aspirin or paracetamol, even if this means waking yourself up when you notice symptoms while half asleep in the early hours of the morning. (Often by getting up time it is too late to abort the attack.)

4. Sometimes relaxation and meditation techniques may be helpful as may some of the complementary therapies.

5. There are some over the counter preparations which contain a pain killer and a medication which stops nausea and vomiting (antiemetic). These are often even more effective than the pain killer alone, as migraine is associated with poor absorption from the stomach and a tendency for food and drink to stay in the stomach much longer than usual (prior to being sick).

A migraine is a severe headache that is recurring. You may experience migraines monthly or once or twice a year. Migraines can be accompanied by extreme sensitivity to lights and sounds, nausea and vomiting. A severe migraine will be disabling to most people. Migraines have long been a sort of medical mystery. Researchers are not sure of the exact cause of migraines, but over the years have constructed a few theories. This article is going to look at the possible causes of migraine headaches.

A lot of researchers think that migraines are caused by an imbalance in the complex systems of nerves in the brain and neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain responsible for pain perception and emotions.

Serotonin is one of the neurotransmitters that researchers have studied. It has been proven that when you have a headache, your levels of serotonin drops. This in turn will cause the trigeminal nerve in your brain to release neuro peptides. These chemicals will cause the blood vessels on the outside covering of your brain to swell and the resulting pressure will produce a headache. This is the assumed mechanism of how a headache develops, but what causes this to happen.

Your headaches may be the result of certain triggers. The triggers that can produce a migraine are:

- Certain foods can trigger a migraine in a lot of people. Common food triggers are alcohol, chocolate, caffeine, aged cheeses, monosodium glutamate and other canned or processed foods.

- Sometimes skipping a meal can bring on a migraine also.

- Intense physical activity, including sex, can trigger a migraine. Too much sleep or too little sleep can also be a trigger.

- Stress is a big factor in triggering migraines. If you have worked hard all week and are starting to relax on the weekend, it may be ruined by a weekend migraine headache.

- Any type of change in your environment such as, the weather, temperature, barometric pressure and even a change in the time zone, can trigger a migraine.

- Some people are overly sensitive to all types of sensory stimulus such as, bright lights and certain smells. Certain perfumes or flowers have been known to trigger migraine pain.

- Women who are going through hormonal changes will be more at risk for developing a migraine. Researchers aren’t sure why the fluctuations of hormones will trigger a migraine, but the incidences of migraines seem to increase right before or during a woman’s period.

- Certain medications have been know to trigger migraine headaches.

If you are having frequent migraine headaches, try to pinpoint the trigger for them. Try keeping a journal of everything that you eat or do that’s out of the ordinary each day. When you have a migraine read back through your journal and try to identify a possible trigger. If you haven’t started treatment for migraines, see your doctor. He can prescribe medicine that will decrease the migraines or make them less intense. Don’t suffer in pain anymore, find the cause of your migraine headaches.

Migraine is one of the most painful and debilitating conditions a person may suffer from and what is worse, there is not much you can do about it. Migraine headaches are often caused by the changes in the shape and size of the blood vessels that are found in the head. The blood vessels may expand or an inflammation may occur in the tissues that are found in that area.

Compared to the usual type of headache, the tension headache, which often occur on the entire head area, the pain in migraine headaches is more localized and much more specialized. It is however harder to predict when it will occur as migraine headaches do not present any warning signs. In fact, these types of headache will just happen when you least expect it to.

There are however kinds of migraines where some symptoms may be observed. One type is what is commonly called as the classic migraine headache where in the person suffering from it may see a hallucination called ‘aura’ before it actually occurs. Auras are visual hallucinations that resemble lights or zigzagging lines in the person’s line of vision. The hallucination can last from about 15 minutes up to an hour. The duration vary from one case to another. There may also be pain in the areas surrounding the eyes, temporary blind spots and blurred vision.

As to what exactly causes this to happen in such an unsystematic way, no one knows yet. Ongoing researches about the underlying causes of migraines have not yielded much and debates are still going on. Some specialists believe that migraine headaches may be caused by the constriction in the blood vessel, particularly in the electronic changes in the vessels that are similar with what happens during seizures. Others feel that migraines are actually hereditary and people with history of migraines in the family will most likely suffer from the problem.

A migraine headache should not be confused with the common headache, which a person may suffer from every now and then. They are poles different from one another. The migraine headache, for instance can last from four to 72 hours while the common headache, or what is commonly referred to by medical practitioners as tension headaches, can last only for a few hours. Pain is also more localized with the migraine headache, often occurring on the sides of the head while tension headaches can encompass the entire head area. Another difference is the intensity of the pain.

Tension headaches are milder and duller in comparison while migraine headaches can be really severe, accompanied by pounding throbbing pain that only increases. Migraine headaches can also be accompanied by other physical problems such as sensitivity to light, sound and odors as well as nausea and vomiting.

Migraine does not announce itself in a set of early symptoms. The recurring headaches just happen, often catching the person by surprise. There is however one kind where in the person may see a visual hallucination, called an aura, before the actual migraine headache occurs. This kind is called the classic migraine headache.

Environmental and other physiological factors may also contribute in the occurrence of migraine headaches. One factor is stress-related. Over exertion and over fatigue especially in the eye area can cause severe migraine. Depression and anxiety are also factors that you should look into.

Other medical conditions that can start a migraine attack are colds, cough, influenza, and sinusitis. Food and diet may also play a role. Some experts believe that eating chocolates, drinking coffee and abusing alcoholic drinks may contribute in the attack. Sensorial triggers such as over bright lights, too much noise and strong odors may also trigger an attack.

The classic migraine headache is a lot different from what specialists call the common headaches, which occurs without any warning whatsoever. There is also the complicated migraines, which may be a manifestation of more serious medical problems in the nervous system. Often, this type migraine headache is accompanied by speech, movement and motor irregularities.

Almost 99% of the world’s population suffers from headaches. 90% of these people get more than one headache per year. Fewer individuals have more severe headaches called migraines. Only 17% of people worldwide suffer from migraines. But it still represents a significant number; about 20 million a day. So, what causes migraines and what are the best migraine treatments?

Most sufferers report that a specific event usually brings on an attack. The weather is what causes migraines for most people. About 21% of all sufferers claim that their headaches are associated with a change in the weather. This is the most prevalent reasons of what causes migraines.

The second most common reason of what causes migraines is missing a meal. Almost 18% report that they have an attack if they miss a meal. (It would seem one of the best migraine treatments for these people is to eat meals at regular intervals – but, then, I’m not a doctor!)

Next, on our list of what causes migraines is stress. Nearly 17% of sufferers claim that their migraines are brought on by stressful situations. And in today’s society, stress is a major concern. We are much more stressed today than in years past, particular in light of the awful economy.

Alcohol is the next item on our list of what causes migraines. About 16% report alcohol as a contributing factor. (And again, it would appear that one of the best migraine treatments for these people is to eliminate alcohol from their diet.)

Food also plays a major roll in the list of what causes migraines. It is reported by 15% of individuals. Again, if you are among this group, one of the best migraine treatments for you is to keep a food diary. Keep track of the food you eat and how it affects you. If you have an attack after eating certain food, eliminate that item from your diet.

And finally, we come to the end of our list of what causes migraines. About 13% of women claim that their menstrual cycle is a major factor in what causes migraines for them.       

If you suffer from severe migraines, there are migraine treatments that can totally eliminate migraine pain in as little as 30 seconds. And if you’ve ever had a severe migraine headache, you know how important a quick cure can be.

So, if you suffer from severe migraines, check out this amazingly simple 30 second cure. It is one of the best migraine treatments available. For more information, get all the details on this simple <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’);” href=”http://WorksBest.org/HeadacheCure”>Migraine Headache Cure.</a

If you have ever had a headache so bad that the sound of your own heart beating was like cymbals crashing in your ears and the slightest amount of light was blindingly painful, probably accompanied by nausea and vomiting, you have had a migraine. Migraines, also called “sick headaches”, affect thousands of people each year.

When in the grip of a migraine attack, the sufferer wants nothing more than to hide in a quiet, dark room and for something, anything, to make the pain stop.

The good news is that there are medications available now that can treat and, in many cases, prevent a migraine attack. Even so, people sometimes still get a migraine despite their best efforts with medications.
No one knows exactly what causes migraine headaches.

It is believed that some people have a genetic predisposition for migraines, but the particular gene marker has not been identified. While the causes can not be positively identified, there are certain things that have been shown to trigger the onset of migraine headaches in certain individuals who suffer from them.

- Stress is believed to be one of the most common triggers of migraine pain. People under a lot of stress tend to have muscle spasms that tighten in the neck and head, causing the onset of the headache.

- Food sensitivities have been linked to the onset of migraines in certain people. Artificial sweeteners, peanuts, tree nuts, and chemicals in food such as MSG are known to trigger migraine attacks.

- Just as flashing or strobing lights have been linked to the onset of epileptic seizures, the brightness and quality of light around a person may be a trigger for migraine headaches.

- Loud or continuous sounds, sometimes even sounds we don’t consciously notice, may trigger the onset of a migraine.

- Smells can bring on a migraine attack if the person is particularly sensitive to certain odors.

- Exercise and sleep habits can be a contributing cause of migraines. People in poor physical condition or who do not get enough sleep are more likely to have a migraine than someone who is fit and gets plenty of rest.

Many people confuse the pain and pressure of a sinus headache with migraine pain. While sinus headaches can no doubt be quite severe, there are qualities of migraine headaches that those with sinus headaches do not suffer.

The vomiting that accompanies migraines is one such symptom that does not normally accompany a sinus headache. Migraine sufferers do not respond as well to pain medications as those with a sinus headache.

Migraines cause chemical changes in the body that tend to counteract most known medications and make the nearly useless when in the middle of a full blown migraine.

Many might wonder if there is help for those suffering with migraines. They are more likely to wonder about this when experiencing one. The answer is, however, yes. Changes in diet and exercise habits, Avoiding places with noises that irritate, changing the lighting around you, and taking certain prescription medications can provide some relief from migraines or prevent migraine attacks.

What is Migraine ?

Migraine is a neurological disease of which the most common symptom is an intense and disabling episodic headache. Migraine headaches are usually characterized by severe pain on one or both sides of the head. Absent serious head injuries, stroke, and tumors, the recurring severity of the pain indicates a vascular headache rather than a tension headache . More than 28 million Americans three times more women than men suffer from migraine headaches, a type of headache that’s often severe. In some cases, these painful headaches are preceded or accompanied by a sensory warning sign such as flashes of light, blind spots or tingling in your arm or leg. A migraine headache is also often accompanied by other signs and symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound.

A migraine can be disabling — with symptoms so severe, all you can think about is finding a dark, quiet place to lie down. Up to 17 percent of women and 6 percent of men have experienced a migraine.

More than 29.5 million Americans suffer from migraine, with women being affected three times more often than men. This vascular headache is most commonly experienced between the ages of 15 and 55, and 70% to 80% of sufferers have a family history of migraine. Less than half of all migraine sufferers have received a diagnosis of migraine from their healthcare provider. Migraine is often misdiagnosed as sinus headache or tension-type headache.

What are the Causes of migraine?

Until recently, the general theory on the migraine process rested solely on the idea that abnormalities of blood vessel (vascular) systems in the head were responsible for migraines. Now, however, experts tend to believe that migraine starts with an underlying central nervous system disorder. When triggered by various stimuli, this disorder sets off a chain of neurologic and biochemical events, some of which subsequently affect the brain’s vascular system. No experimental model fully explains the migraine process.

There is certainly a strong genetic component in migraine with or without auras. Researchers have located a single genetic mutation responsible for the very rare familial hemiplegic migraine, but several genes are likely to be involved in the great majority of migraine cases. Numerous chemicals, structures, nerve pathways, and other players involved in the process are under investigation.

A migraine begins when, for some reason, blood vessels in the brain narrow (constrict) temporarily. When that happens, the amount of blood and oxygen flowing to the brain drops. So the brain sends a message: “Hey guys, we need some more blood and oxygen here!”

What are migraine triggers?

A migraine trigger is any factor that causes a headache in individuals who are prone to develop headaches. Only a small proportion of migraine sufferers, however, clearly can identify triggers.

Disturbances such as sleep deprivation, too much sleep, poor quality of sleep, and frequent awakening at night are associated with both migraine and tension headaches, whereas improved sleep habits have been shown to reduce the frequency of migraine headaches

Caffeine is contained in many food products (cola, tea, chocolates, coffee) and OTC analgesics.

Some women who suffer from migraine headaches experience more headaches around the time of their menstrual periods.

A migraine can be disabling — with symptoms so severe, all you can think about is finding a dark, quiet place to lie down. Up to 17 percent of women and 6 percent of men have experienced a migraine.

More than 29.5 million Americans suffer from migraine, with women being affected three times more often than men. This vascular headache is most commonly experienced between the ages of 15 and 55, and 70% to 80% of sufferers have a family history of migraine. Less than half of all migraine sufferers have received a diagnosis of migraine from their healthcare provider. Migraine is often misdiagnosed as sinus headache or tension-type headache.

Causes of Migraine

Foods. Certain foods appear to trigger headaches in some people. Common offenders include alcohol, especially beer and red wine; aged cheeses; chocolate; fermented, pickled or marinated foods; aspartame; overuse of caffeine; monosodium glutamate — a key ingredient in some Asian foods; certain seasonings; and many canned and processed foods. Skipping meals or fasting also can trigger migraines.

Sensory stimuli. Bright lights and sun glare can produce head pain. So can unusual smells — including pleasant scents, such as perfume and flowers, and unpleasant odors, such as paint thinner and secondhand smoke.

A migraine begins when, for some reason, blood vessels in the brain narrow (constrict) temporarily. When that happens, the amount of blood and oxygen flowing to the brain drops. So the brain sends a message: “Hey guys, we need some more blood and oxygen here!”

Until recently, the general theory on the migraine process rested solely on the idea that abnormalities of blood vessel (vascular) systems in the head were responsible for migraines.

Symptoms of Migraine

Intense throbbing or dull aching pain on one side of your head or both sides.

Migraines typically begin in childhood, adolescence or early adulthood and may become less frequent and less intense as you grow older. In addition to physical suffering, severe headaches often mean missed school days and trips to the emergency department, as well as lost work time for anxious parents.

Most experts now agree that the term migraine should be used to refer to a chronic, recurrent neurological condition resulting in periodic attacks of head pain rather than the headache.

Changes in how a person sees, including blurred vision or blind spots, zig-zags of light or light flashes

Treatment of Migraine

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved three over-the-counter products to treat migraine. Excedrin® Migraine (a combination of aspirin, acetaminophen and caffeine) is indicated for migraine and its associated symptoms. Advil® Migraine and Motrin® Migraine Pain, both ibuprofen medications, are approved to treat migraine headache and its pain.

Ergots. Ergotamine (Ergomar) has been in use for more than 60 years and was a common prescription for migraine before triptans were introduced. Ergotamine is much less expensive, but also less effective, than triptans. Dihydroergotamine is an ergot derivative that is more effective and has fewer side effects than ergotamine.

Drug names and migraine headache treatments availability vary widely from the USA and UK. Migraine headache treatments fall into two broad categories: first with migraine treatments are analgesics and analgesic combinations and, secondly, migraine-specific therapies, such as the triptans, ergotamine and dihydroergotamine. Many of these are available only on prescription but there is a variety of therapeutic options available over the counter (OTC) and pharmacists can often advise patients about these.

Beta blockers (e.g., propranolol [Inderal®], atenolol [Tenormin®]) are the preferred medications. These drugs produce an effect on heart rate. They should not be taken by patients with asthma and should be used with caution in patients with diabetes.