Migraine Headaches

Treatment

Dietary and Lifestyle Changes

Avoiding things that trigger migraine headaches can reduce the likelihood of experiencing them. Many migraine triggers have been recognized. They include:

Foods

• Alcohol
• Artificial sweeteners
• Caffeine and/or caffeine withdrawal
• Chocolate
• Cheese
• Fatty foods
• Monosodium glutamate (MSG), an ingredient often found in seasonings and processed foods
• Nitrates and nitrites (present in hot dogs, sausages, and some other processed foods)
• Onions
• Oranges
• Tomatoes

Life Factors

• Allergies
• Fasting (going for long periods without food)
• Environmental factors (bright lights, smoke, strong odors)
• Fluctuations in hormone levels during the menstrual cycle or during the first trimester of pregnancy
• Not enough or too much sleep
• Changes in the weather
• Changes in stress levels
• Minor head injury

Medications

• Estrogen-containing drugs such as oral contraceptives (birth control pills)
• Medications to reduce symptoms associated with menopause (hormone replacement therapy)

Treatment of Acute Migraines

Many nonprescription and prescription medications can help when taken early in the course of a migraine attack. In children who have migraine, it is very helpful to treat the attack as early as possible. The longer the pain goes on, the more difficult it may be to treat. Rest and sleep, if possible, also help.

Preventive Anti-Migraine Therapy

Several drugs and some nondrug therapy (biofeedback technique training) can help to reduce the frequency, severity, and duration of migraine attacks and increase the responsiveness of an attack to acute therapy.