Are There Effective Treatments for Migraines?

Migraines are more than just headaches; they are debilitating episodes of intense pain often accompanied by nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound. They can affect one’s ability to function, causing days off from school or work and missed appointments, events and special occasions. For migraine sufferers, finding effective treatment options is essential for managing the condition and improving their quality of life.

Let’s examine the symptoms and causes of migraine headaches, their diagnosis, and available treatment options, focusing on effective pain management strategies.

Understanding Migraine Headache Symptoms and Causes

Migraines typically present as throbbing or pulsating headaches, usually on one side of the head.[1] Other common symptoms include pain on both sides of the head, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, and visual disturbances known as auras.[2] Some migraineurs may also experience pain in their faces, sinuses, jaw and neck.[1]

The exact cause of migraines is still not fully understood, but they are believed to involve a combination of genetic, environmental, and neurological factors.[2] Triggers such as stress, hormonal changes, certain foods, sleep issues and sensory stimuli can precipitate migraine attacks in susceptible people.[1] Keeping a migraine journal can help you and your healthcare providers identify triggers.

Diagnosis of Migraines

Diagnosing migraines involves a thorough medical history, physical and neurological examinations, and additional tests to rule out other potential causes.[3] Keeping a detailed headache diary can help neurologists and other healthcare providers identify patterns and triggers, aiding in the diagnosis process.[4] In some cases, a pain care doctor may order imaging tests such as MRI or CT scans to rule out underlying conditions such as neurological issues, tumors, infections and brain bleeds.[3]

Effective Treatment Options for Migraines

The treatment goals for migraines are to reduce the frequency and severity of attacks, relieve symptoms during migraines and improve overall quality of life. Several approaches to effective migraine management exist, such as:

Lifestyle Modifications

Eliminating foods, stress, sleep disturbances and other triggers can help reduce the frequency and severity of migraines.[5] Creating healthy sleep habits, practicing relaxation techniques, and exercising regularly may help some migraine sufferers.[5]

Preventative Medications

Patients with frequent or severe migraines may find relief from prescription medications. These medications may include:

• Beta-blockers[3]
• Antidepressants[3]
• Anti-seizure medications[6]
• CGRP inhibitors[6]
• Botulinum toxin injections[3]

Acute Treatments

Acute treatments used to relieve symptoms may include over-the-counter medications (OTC), Triptans (migraine-targeting medication) and anti-nausea medications that ease gastrointestinal issues that often accompany migraine headaches. [3]

Migraine Pain Management Collaboration

Chronic pain often requires a multidisciplinary approach, and migraines are no exception. Migraine pain relief relies on a team of healthcare professionals such as:

• Neurologists[7]
• Headache specialists (physicians with advanced training and certification in headaches)[8]
• Pain management specialists[9]
• Physical therapists[10]
• Nutritionists[10]
• Psychologists[10]

Pain Management Clinics Specializing in Migraine Relief

Pain management clinics specialize in the treatment of chronic pain conditions, including migraine headaches. They offer various treatment modalities to relieve symptoms. Treatment may include medication management, physical therapy[11], nerve blocks[12], BOTOX® and alternative therapies such as acupuncture, yoga and biofeedback.[1]

Migraines can be challenging to manage, but effective treatments are available to help sufferers reduce the frequency and severity of debilitating headaches and improve their overall quality of life. Understanding what triggers your migraines and working with pain management doctors can help you better manage your condition and find relief from persistent migraine pain and symptoms.

If you experience frequent or severe migraines or headaches, seek a prior diagnosis and treatment to reduce your symptoms and pain. Patients seeking a comprehensive approach to migraine headache relief that includes both pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies can achieve optimal pain relief and get back to living a full life.

Resources:

1. Cleveland Clinic. Migraine Headaches: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Prevention. Cleveland Clinic [Internet]. March 3, 2021. Reviewed January 23, 2024. Accessed April 23, 2024. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/5005-migraine-headaches
2. Mayo Clinic Staff. Migraine – Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic [Internet]. July 7, 2023. Accessed April 23, 2024. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/migraine-headache/symptoms-causes/syc-20360201
3. Mayo Clinic Staff. Migraine – Diagnosis and treatment – Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic [Internet]. 2019. Accessed April 23, 2024. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/migraine-headache/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20360207
4. Bach LL, Goga J. Management of migraine headaches in a chronic pain patient: A case report. Mental Health Clinician [Internet]. 2016;6(3):154-158. May 6, 2016. Accessed April 23, 2024. doi:https://doi.org/10.9740/mhc.2016.05.154 Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6007650/
5. Mayo Clinic Staff. Migraines: Steps to head off the pain. Mayo Clinic [Internet]. October 04, 2022. Accessed April 23, 2024. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/migraine-headache/in-depth/migraines/art-20047242
6. WebMD Editorial Contributors. 25 Migraine Treatments, Preventative Meds & Abortive Drugs. WebMD [Internet]. Reviewed February 09, 2023. Accessed April 23, 2024. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/migraine-treatments
7. Chawla J, Helmi L. Migraine Headache Treatment & Management: Approach Considerations, Emergency Department Considerations, Reduction of Migraine Triggers. Medscape [Internet]. November 9, 2019. Updated April 18, 2023. Accessed April 23, 2024. Available from: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1142556-treatment
8. Lovering C. Headache Specialist vs. Neurologist: How to Choose. Healthline [Internet]. May 15, 2023. Accessed April 23, 2024. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/headache/headache-specialist-vs-neurologist
9. Lew C, Punnapuzha S. Migraine Medications. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan. Accessed April 23, 2024. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553159/
10. Conditions and Diseases – Migraine Headaches. Johns Hopkins Medicine [Internet]. Accessed April 23, 2024. Available from: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/headache/migraine-headaches#treated
11. Glaser A. The Crazy, Painful World of Desperate Migraine Treatment. Migraine Again [Internet]. Accessed April 24, 2024. Available from: https://www.migraineagain.com/desperate-migraine-treatment
12. Pelham V. New Treatment Options for Headaches. Cedars-Sinai [Internet]. January 06, 2022. Accessed April 23, 2024. Available from: https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/new-headache-treatment-options.html