Relief From Migraines With Auras

Overview

Migraines are debilitating headaches that affect 30 million Americans, according to the Mayo Clinic. Most of these individuals are female.These headaches may be accompanied by other severe symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, fatigue and vision changes (also known as auras). Auras can occur in several forms, though they most commonly consist of flashing lights, zigzag lines, blind spots or tunnel vision. These symptoms occur in about 15 to 20 percent of migraine sufferers and serve as warnings of an impending migraine.

Step 1

Talk your physician. The first step to treating a migraine involves medical attention. A physician will go over the symptoms and history of the patient, ruling out other causes. A doctor will also provide the best medication options according to the individual needs of the patient.

Step 2

Don't hesitate to take aspirin, if other medicines are not readily available. For those with mild migraines, that may be occasional; an over-the-counter treatment may be effective. Be sure to take aspirin with food, as this medication can upset the stomach. Be sure to check with your doctor before taking aspirin if you are taking other medications that will interact with it.

Step 3

Take ibuprofen. Another over-the-counter medication, ibuprofen can also be effective for those who experience mild migraine headaches that are not too intense, and occur less frequently.

Step 4

Look for over-the-counter medications formulated for migraine relief. Over-the-counter medication made especially for migraines offer caffeine as an ingredient, which is thought to be effective for relieving headaches. These medications will have the word "migraine" on the label. Avoid other forms of caffeine while taking these medications.

Step 5

Try prescription medications, such as triptans. Triptans are effective prescription medications used to treat migraine headaches. According to consumer health reports, relief is said to occur in about 60 percent of migraine sufferers who take these medications and they typically work in less than 2 hours. Not all migraine sufferers are able to take this medication, however, due to the risk they pose on the heart. Imitrex, Maxalt and Amerge are commonly prescribed triptans.