If you have suffered with migraines in the past, you know how debilitating they can be. According to the National Headaches Foundation, over 29 million people suffer from migraines.
Although migraine symptoms can vary, pain is characteristically on one side of the head. Other symptoms include nausea, sensitivity to light and visual disturbances. The good news is there is effective treatment available. The first step in getting migraine relief is separating fact from myth when it comes to treatment.
1. All doctors can properly treat migraines.
Although you may trust your primary care doctor, he may not be best suited to treat your migraines. Even if your doctor takes your migraines seriously, he may not be aware of the various treatment options. Consider seeing a neurologist, or pain managment specialist who specializes in headache treatment.
2. Only medication can provide migraine relief.
Medication can play a crucial role in migraine relief, but it’s not the only option. Other treatment may be equally, or more effective for some people. Alternatives to medication include acupuncture, Botox injections and minimally invasive migraine surgery.
3. All migraine sufferers can be treated with the same type of medication.
There are several different classifications of medication that may effectively treat migraines. What works for one person may not work for the next. According to the Mayo Clinic, medication used to treat migraines may include pain medication, anti-seizure medication and antidepressants.
4. Caffeine is the best way to treat a migraine.
Caffeine is thought to increase the effectiveness of certain medications, which may help some migraine suffers. Although a percentage of people may be helped by caffeine, it does not work for everyone. In fact, caffeine can be a trigger for some individuals and lead to a migraine.
5. Migraines can be treated as bad headaches.
For those who have suffered from a migraine, you know it is more than a bad headache. Migraines are considered a neurological condition and are more complex than just regular headaches; they also need a different treatment approach.
6. There is nothing new in migraine relief.
New treatment approaches and research are continually being done to find successful migraine treatments. Clinical studies are also being conducted to determine the most effective migraine relief.
7. Over the counter pain relievers will never make a migraine worse.
There are times when taking too much pain medication can actually worsen a migraine. Rebound headaches can occur, if medication is taken in excess or not as directed.
8. Migraines can rarely be treated successfully
Migraine suffers do not have to accept the condition. There are several options when it comes to migraine relief. If you have migraines, it is essential to seek treatment from a migraine specialist.
Living with migraines can cause more than a headache. It can lead to missed days of work, lost family time and decreased quality of life. Getting migraine relief may involve a little trial and error to determine what works, but effective treatment is available.
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