Migraine Treatment and Home Remedies

Although there is no permanent migraine treatment yet, there are ways to reduce the symptoms of migraines, and the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks to enable a healthier, happier life. One might choose home remedies for migraines while others might opt for prescription migraine tablets. Some might even choose homoeopathic remedies for migraines or other alternative and complementary therapies. Irrespective of what one believes the best migraine medicine or treatment plan is, it’s crucial to find a migraine treatment that works for you. Some treatments involve prevention while others involve management. 

Understanding Migraine Symptoms

Migraine is commonly associated with nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to sound/light/smell, and auras. Migraine treatment medications target these symptoms, reducing the impact the condition has on one’s quality of life. Often referred to as “migraine headaches”, it is important to note that headaches and migraine are not the same thing. So, while someone might be searching for “medication for migraine headaches”, “migraine headache treatment” or “migraine headache tablets”, they’re actually looking for medication for their migraine attacks. Let’s delve into various remedies or treatments someone suffering from migraines can use to alleviate their symptoms. 

Migraine Treatment With Home Remedies

Since migraines can’t be cured, finding a migraine cure at home is futile. “Cure” indicates the problem can be fixed permanently, while treatment refers to managing symptoms. In line with this, there are multiple options for someone looking for a migraine treatment solution at home: 

• Sleep: Maintaining a consistent sleep cycle, as too much or too little sleep can trigger migraines. In addition to this, getting sunlight when well-rested in the day is extremely beneficial. When you feel the onset of a migraine, a nap might help mitigate the symptoms effectively. 
• Staying hydrated: A lack of water intake is commonly attributed as a trigger for migraines. Dehydration often leads to headaches too. Try to drink the recommended amount of water daily to avoid migraines or reduce their impact, depending on factors like age and gender. 
• Head massage: Relieving the tension and stress built up in the muscles on your scalp helps reduce the overall intensity of a migraine. It also promotes better blood circulation, further reducing tension. 
• Exercise: Though exercising during a migraine might worsen its symptoms, light exercises during the onset of a migraine can help reduce the intensity of a migraine attack. Try walking or easy yoga asanas. 
• Lighting: Bright lights can trigger migraines or worsen their symptoms. Try dimming lights and resting in a dark room or using blackout curtains to find some relief from migraines at home. 
• Temperature: Weather conditions can lead to the onset of migraine. While both hot and cold temperatures might trigger migraines in different people, identifying a comfortable temperature for you should help mitigate some of the symptoms of a migraine.

Migraine Medicine

There are various migraine medication interventions that one can consider, from migraine treatment tablets to herbal remedies. Listed below are some migraine medicines one might use for symptomatic relief or prevention: 

• Pain relievers: This includes analgesics, like acetaminophen, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen and diclofenac. Long-term use, however, comes with side effects like heart attacks, kidney problems, strokes and stomach issues. 
• Triptans: Increase serotonin levels, easing inflammation and constricting blood vessels. One might find triptans as pills, sprays, tablets and more. Side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, hot/cold flashes, nausea, pins & needles and tightness in the upper body. 
• Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antagonists: Also known as gepants, this category of migraine medication targets CGRP receptors, a protein associated with migraine pain.
• Anti-depressants: Amitriptyline, fluoxetine and venlafaxine have proven to be effective in treating the pain associated with migraines. Side effects of anti-depressants include dry mouth, weight gain, drowsiness, urinary issues and more. 
• Alternative behavioural treatments: There are a range of alternatives one can consider to mitigate migraine symptoms, including relaxation therapy, biofeedback, and cognitive-behavioural therapy. While the side effects of these therapies are low, the efficacy varies significantly from person to person. 
• Alternative nutritional treatments: Herbal alternatives and medications, whether as homemade remedies for migraines or sourced from a trustworthy medical company, can bring significant relief with little to no side effects. Plants that alleviate migraines include clove basil, garlic, castor bean, African wormwood and cannabis. 
• Homoeopathic remedies for migraines: While the efficacy of migraine homoeopathic treatments is still to be decided, many report significant symptom relief with this type of medication. 

Choosing a Migraine Treatment

Before choosing migraine medication, it is wise to consider migraine self-care practices. These include lifestyle changes, from eating healthier to sleeping better. Migraine treatment medications help with acute symptoms but come with side effects in some instances and tolerance build-up in others. Before trying medicine for migraine headaches, try home remedies and alternative therapies. If you require other interventions due to the severity of your migraine, consider speaking with a physician to understand the best treatment plan for your needs.