Beating Headaches Before They Beat You

There are many ways of beating the enemy when your enemy is an impending headache.  One way to beat a foe is to disable him outright.  Find out how to beat headaches before they beat you.

Drugs that arrest an impending migraine

One way to tame or disable a migraine is to take medications that will stop a migraine from happening at all.  These drugs work before your migraine even starts because they stop blood vessels from becoming inflamed.

When taking drugs, take it at a time when you feel you are most vulnerable.  Finding out when the enemy will show its ugly face is the best time to take non-migraine drugs.  It’s like arming yourself with a weapon so a migraine won’t do you any harm, and pain.   Drugs that combine naproxen sodium with a triptan, which stops dilation of blood vessels have been formulated for use of migraine sufferers.   The goal is to arrest triggers of a migraine.

Another drug has been formulated to stop the production of a type of protein called CGRP which is unusually high among migraine sufferers.

Taking non-migraine drugs                  

There are drugs used for the treatment of illnesses that are not related to migraines but are a big boon to migraine sufferers.  This is because these drugs help suppress certain activities in the brain that could trigger a migraine.   Beta-blockers, anti-seizure drugs, NSAIDs, calcium-channel blockers, and tricyclic antidepressants are some examples of such drugs that aren’t intended for migraines but do contain properties that help prevent migraines from taking place.

While some of these drugs have known side-effects such as weight loss, weight gain, or even cognitive impairment, the trick is to choose which side-effect you can handle.

Supplements as a preventive

People who are averse to medication or have issues with taking one could also turn to supplements to stop a migraine.  A US neurologist reported that coenzyme Q10, magnesium, and vitamin B-2, can help control migraines.

Pregnant women will do well with supplements instead of taking drugs to relieve headaches.  Even children can safely take magnesium but under the supervision of a physician or a parent.  Give it three months or more to feel the healing effect.  While entirely safe when taken at the right dosages, it may, however, cause diarrhea for some people who are predisposed to it.  For patients who are prone to diarrhea, then vitamin B-2 is a good substitute to magnesium.

Drug timing

Instead of taking medications on a regular basis, taking them at the opportune time may work for those who don’t want to take drugs every day.  So when is the right time?  Of course, it will vary depending on what triggers your headache.

For instance, if your headache is triggered by the onset of a menstrual cycle, then take it before the cycle starts.  If your headache is triggered by changes in altitude, then take your prescribed drug a few days before you go on a hiking expedition.