Migraine headaches aren't ordinary headaches. The pain is usually more severe and accompanied by a variety of other symptoms, including nausea and vomiting, motion sensitivity, light and scent sensitivity and visual disturbances. Frequent migraines can be quite debilitating. The first step toward treatment is prevention: identify the "triggers" that set off your headaches and avoid them if you can. Triggers can be anything from a food or scent sensitivity to hunger or dehydration to hormonal changes due to your menstrual cycle. Once a headache has begun, however, there are still several effective remedies you can try.
Over-the-Counter Medications
Over-the-counter pan relievers, such as aspirin, ibuprofin and naproxen, are often the first resort of many migraine sufferers. Some brands offer a special migraine-specific pill that usually includes a small dose of caffeine as well. All of these medications can be effective in treating migraines, but there are some cautions. Aspirin and ibuprofin can upset the stomach, and you should never exceed the recommended dosage frequency on the label, as this can cause rebound headaches.
Caffeine
For some migraine sufferers, caffeine is a known trigger. For others, it's an essential cure. Caffeine stimulates the nervous system and constricts your blood vessels; this constriction can help relieve headache pain. Caffeine also aids the absorption of over-the-counter analgesics, helping them to work faster to cure your migraine, according the The Headache Expert. Note that like over-the-counter medications, too much caffeine can cause rebound headaches, and if you're a habitual user, quitting cold turkey can cause withdrawal headaches.
Feverfew
Feverfew is a traditional folk medicine for the relief of headaches, especially migraines. It contains a compound called parthenolide that relieves smooth muscle spasms. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, it works best as a preventative but can also be used to treat an incipient migraine. For either purpose, take 100 to 400 milligrams in capsule form up to four times daily. A happy side effect is that feverfew seems to increase the sense of well-being of those who take it. Do not take feverfew if you are pregnant or nursing.
Butterbur
Butterbur is an herbal remedy that has recently been shown in the journal Neurology to be an effective migraine preventative. It works as an anti-spasmodic to prevent the smooth muscle contractions around blood vessels that can cause migraines. Take one 50 milligram capsule twice a day; make sure to use a formulation explicitly labeled "PA free," as butterbur in its natural state sometimes contains compounds called pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can cause liver damage. Do not take butterbur if you are pregnant or nursing.
Acupressure
Acupressure is related to acupuncture in that both use similar reference points on the body, but acupressure uses firm finger pressure rather than needles and thus can be practiced at home, on yourself. The pressure points most useful for countering migraines, according to AltMD, are the ones on either side of the spine at the base of your skull. This is called "the gate of consciousness," and they will likely be slightly tender to the touch. Press firmly for one to two minutes and remember to breathe deeply and slowly. You should feel your muscles relax and, hopefully, your pain ebbing away. This method can be combined with other treatments.
Prescription Drugs
If home remedies and over-the-counter products are not successful in treating your migraines, then you should consult with a doctor, preferably a headache specialist, about how to treat your condition with prescription medications. There are two classes of medicine used for migraine sufferers: preventative and abortive. The first is taken to prevent migraines, and the second is taken when an attack has begun. There are dozens of different medications to choose from, and finding which are right for your particular case will probably take some trial and error.
