Migraines:Some pres Ways to lessen the Pain

Have you ever felt like your head just got thrown into a blender and there is nothing you can do to stop it? The room is spinning, nausea is taking over, and everything you try doesn't seem to   help. You finally find some relief from the nausea by throwing up. You lay down to try to soothe the pain and after a short nap everything is back to normal. This is a migraine! The American Migraine Foundation defines a migraine as a "neurological disorder that is characterized by hyperexcitable brain networks that may be triggered by a variety of stimuli (e.g. alcohol, menstruation, fragrances, light glare)." Migraines are triggered by specific characteristics such as stress, specific type of food, menstrual periods, and fatigue. The graph includes several common symptoms of migraines such as nausea, visual problems, vomiting, and dizziness. This month is Migraine & Headache Awareness month in which people all over the world are raising awareness by discussing chronic migraines all over the internet. The American Migraine Foundation reports that thirty six million Americans suffer from migraine headaches. With migraines being common, it is important to discuss migraines and educate others.

When I was a senior in high school, I would have miserable migraine episodes. At the time, I wasn't aware that it was a medical condition I was suffering from.When they came on I was extremely dizzy. It felt as though the room was spinning and I was helpless to stop it. Constant dizzy spells made me nauseous. Some days I could barely move without feeling like I was on a boat. I would get nauseous and rush to the restroom and throw up constantly. After I threw up, my dizziness would lessen. Then, I would sleep for a few hours. After I had slept, I would feel normal and fine. They only happened every other day at first, but it didn't take long for them to be every day aggravation. One day right when I got home, I could tell an episode was coming on strong.  I barely got into the kitchen before I was on the floor from the dizziness. I could not move.
It was obvious I needed to see a neurologist. The following day, I went in and explained my issues. The doctor explained to me that I was having migraine episodes. My migraines were most likely triggered by my diet and stress. I found out that I was eating things like ham, which has nitrates in it, that can trigger migraines. He explained that I would need to take a medication every single day for the rest of my life to prevent the episodes. The upside was, once the medication had been absorbed in my body after a few days, I rarely had migraines. It is no surprise that I am prone to migraines since my father's mother had migraines as well. While I rarely have a migraine, I still get headaches. I use the best home remedies for my headaches that I have been able to figure out. Most of the time my headaches are gone if I take Advil with coffee or a caffeinated drink. My headaches do not come close to how bad my migraines were. The migraine medication made such a difference in my life and gave me the ability to function on a daily basis.

I am NOT my migraines! I believe it is important to educate others about them and the ways to prevent them. There are a surprising number of ways to alleviate or prevent migraines right at home.

• Prescription or over the counter drugs may be a good alternative if there appears to be no help from other options. 
• WebMD explains the importance of caffeine for migraine patients, "Caffeine is a common ingredient in many prescription and over-the-counter headache medications. Caffeine additives make pain relievers 40% more effective in treating headaches." 
• It is important to note that caffeine helps the body absorb migraine and headache drugs quicker which in result brings helps relieves the migraine quicker.

We also offer a medication here at Woodland Hills Pharmacy that might be right for you. Lidocaine  nasal spray is often used to stop migraines and cluster headaches within minutes after they occur. This medication relives the pain of the migraine quickly after used. If you have any questions, feel free to call or e-mail us at Woodland Hills Pharmacy and we would love to relieve your migraines.

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