Migraines are a disabling form of headaches that affect almost 30 million people in the United States, according to WomensHealth.gov. Women are three times more likely than men to experience the symptoms of migraine, including a throbbing pain on one or both sides of the head, sensitivity to light and noise, and nausea. Some people can sense they are about to get a migraine--they see flashing lights, zigzag lines or an "aura" around things. There is no cure for migraines, but there are many treatment options available, including a variety of painkillers.
Step 1
Take over-the-counter medications as directed on the label. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) like ibuprofen may be more effective at treating migraine pain than aspirin because NSAIDS reduce swelling.
Step 2
Write down each incidence of headache on a calendar. Note the location and severity of the pain. Create a list of any additional symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting, and whether any particular food, activity or stresses seemed to bring on the migraine. Make a list of all prescription medications so the doctor does not prescribe anything that may interfere with other drugs.
Step 3
Make an appointment with the doctor. At appointment time, give the calendar of headache events, the list of triggers and symptoms and the list of prescriptions to the doctor or nurse. The doctor will take a detailed history and perform a physical examination. Blood tests and other types of tests such as X-rays, CT or MRI scans may be performed to confirm the pain is due to migraines. The physician may write a prescription for painkillers.
Step 4
Take painkillers only when needed at the smallest dose possible to avoid developing dependency and side effects. Taking some migraine medicines over a long period of time, especially those containing butalbital, may actually cause headaches that keep returning, according to MayoClinic.com.
Step 5
Notify the physician if pain persists, gets worse or is accompanied by new symptoms, such as fever or abdominal pain. Call the doctor if any side effects appear after taking pain medications.
Step 6
Avoid those things that trigger migraines, such as caffeine or stress, to gain full pain relief from the painkillers. Do not eat foods known to cause migraine pain, such as hot dogs, lunch meats, aged cheese, sausages and the sweetener aspartame.
Step 7
Enhance relief by resting in a dark, quiet place. Light and noise can make migraines worse, counteracting the benefits of painkillers.
Step 8
Continue marking the dates migraines occur on the calendar. Keep a log of foods or activities that seem to trigger migraine pain. Write down which medications were taken and if they were effective in relieving pain.
Tips and Warnings
- Avoid those things that trigger migraines to prevent pain before it begins. Take pain medicines early, before the pain becomes too severe.
- Follow all instructions exactly as prescribed. Do not start or stop any medication without your doctor's approval.
Things You'll Need
- Calendar
- Paper
