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3 Ways to Stop a Migraine Right When it Starts

Key Points

  • Migraines can be prevented by adopting healthy habits such as establishing a regular sleep pattern, scheduling regular meal times, exercising daily, and managing stress levels through relaxation techniques and meditation.
  • Preventative medications can be effective in avoiding migraines, but they need to be taken consistently. Despite their effectiveness, less than a third of migraine sufferers take these medications, often due to the need for daily intake and the associated costs.
  • Several types of drugs can prevent migraines, including antiepileptics, beta-blockers, antidepressants, and even Botox. These drugs work by calming neurons in the brain, treating high blood pressure, blocking migraines, and inhibiting the release of pain-transmitting chemicals respectively.
  • It's crucial to discuss any potential treatments with a healthcare provider to ensure they are safe and suitable for the individual's specific circumstances.

If you've ever experienced a migraine before, you know why people are so anxious to stop the pain before it even starts. Fortunately, due to all the time and effort that have gone into dealing with migraines, some excellent ideas have emerged about how to stop them before they ruin your day.

Related:

3 Ways to Stop a Migraine Right When it Starts

Key Points

  • Migraines can be prevented by adopting healthy habits such as establishing a regular sleep pattern, scheduling regular meal times, exercising daily, and managing stress levels through relaxation techniques and meditation.
  • Preventative medications can be effective in avoiding migraines, but they need to be taken consistently. Despite their effectiveness, less than a third of migraine sufferers take these medications, often due to the need for daily intake and the associated costs.
  • Several types of drugs can prevent migraines, including antiepileptics, beta-blockers, antidepressants, and even Botox. These drugs work by calming neurons in the brain, treating high blood pressure, blocking migraines, and inhibiting the release of pain-transmitting chemicals respectively.
  • It's crucial to discuss any potential treatments with a healthcare provider to ensure they are safe and suitable for the individual's specific circumstances.

If you've ever experienced a migraine before, you know why people are so anxious to stop the pain before it even starts. Fortunately, due to all the time and effort that have gone into dealing with migraines, some excellent ideas have emerged about how to stop them before they ruin your day.

Related:

1. Steps to Prevent Migraines 

For the best way to stop a migraine before it can take hold, take steps to prevent the migraine. Now, there may not be a sure-fire way to completely prevent migraines, but there are healthy habits you can develop to greatly reduce the conditions that often lead to migraines.

  1. Establish a regular pattern of sleep that also allows you to get enough sleep. At the end of each day, set a time to start winding down. If you have trouble falling asleep, engage in some quiet activity that will help make you drowsy.
  2. Schedule regular meal times. Consistency is the key with eating. Don't skip meals, and stay clear of foods you've already identified as triggers for migraines.
  3. Schedule a time each day for exercise.
  4. Keep stress at a minimum. Develop a plan to deal with stress, including actions that will bring you back to a calm state when you feel agitated. Try to implement a daily routine of meditation and relaxation techniques to use when you start feeling stressed.

Related: Are You Drinking Enough Water? Probably Not!

2. Take Preventative Medications Regularly

Up to 38 percent of those who have migraines could avoid them by taking preventative medications, but less than a third actually take advantage of these treatments. It's generally accepted that this happens because the drugs must be taken daily to be effective, but most people only experience a migraine intermittently.

Current evidence suggests the more often a person is required to take a medication, the less likely they are to take it consistently. The more they skip a dose because they don't experience any symptoms, the more likely they will continue to skip doses. Also, the cost of medication may cause a person to drop out of compliance. The key, of course, is to take medication consistently if you want to experience the benefits.

Related: The Real Cost of Generics: The Pros and Cons of Generic Drugs

3. Know and Understand Drugs that can Prevent Migraines

These drugs are effective for preventing migraines:

Antiepileptics: Depacon, Depakot, and Topiragen are all antiepileptic drugs. Anti-seizure medication calms the neurons in the brain, preventing migraine episodes.

Beta-Blockers: Used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease, drugs like Blocadren, Lopressor, Toprol XL, and Inderal have proven effective in preventing migraines

Antidepressants: Drugs used to treat depression, like Elavil and Effexor, are shown as effective migraine blockers.

Botox: Botox is a toxin that paralyzes muscles. Though frequently used to treat wrinkles, it has proven very effective for some people in treating chronic migraines. It inhibits the release of chemicals that help transmit pain signals.

Related: 8 Bad Habits That are Surprisingly Good For You

Whatever treatment you undertake, be sure and discuss it with your doctor. He may very well have other excellent suggestions to help you stop a migraine right as it starts.

Frequently asked questions

  • What are some healthy habits to prevent migraines?

    Some healthy habits to prevent migraines include establishing a regular sleep pattern, scheduling regular meal times, exercising daily, and keeping stress to a minimum through relaxation techniques and stress management strategies.
  • What is the importance of taking preventative medications regularly for migraine sufferers?

    Regular intake of preventative medications can help up to 38 percent of migraine sufferers avoid migraines. However, it's important to note that these drugs must be taken daily to be effective, and consistency is key to experiencing the benefits.
  • Why do some people not take their preventative medications regularly?

    Some people don't take their preventative medications regularly because they only experience migraines intermittently. The more often a person is required to take a medication, the less likely they are to take it consistently. Additionally, the cost of medication can also deter consistent use.
  • What are some drugs that can prevent migraines?

    Some drugs that can prevent migraines include antiepileptics like Depacon, Depakot, and Topiragen; beta-blockers like Blocadren, Lopressor, Toprol XL, and Inderal; antidepressants like Elavil and Effexor; and Botox.
  • How does Botox help in preventing migraines?

    Botox, a toxin that paralyzes muscles, has proven effective for some people in treating chronic migraines. It inhibits the release of chemicals that help transmit pain signals.
  • What is the role of a doctor in preventing migraines?

    A doctor can provide personalized advice and treatment suggestions for preventing migraines. They can also monitor your condition and adjust your treatment plan as needed.
  • Can skipping meals trigger migraines?

    Yes, skipping meals can potentially trigger migraines. Therefore, it's recommended to schedule regular meal times and avoid foods that have been identified as triggers.
  • Can regular exercise help in preventing migraines?

    Yes, scheduling a time each day for exercise is one of the recommended steps to prevent migraines. Regular exercise can help reduce stress and improve overall health, which can in turn help prevent migraines.

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