Neurology
- Home
- / Headache/Migraine
Headache/Migraine
Treatment for headaches and migraines typically involves a combination of self-care strategies, lifestyle adjustments, and, if necessary, medications. Here’s a detailed description of treatment options:
Identifying Triggers:
- Keeping a headache diary to track potential triggers such as certain foods, stress levels, sleep patterns, and environmental factors (like bright lights or strong smells).
Healthy Habits:
- Regular Sleep: Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and ensuring adequate sleep duration.
- Hydration: Drinking plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated.
- Stress Management: Techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, or regular exercise can help reduce stress levels.
Dietary Adjustments:
- Avoiding potential trigger foods like aged cheeses, processed meats, caffeine, and alcohol.
- Ensuring regular meals and snacks to stabilize blood sugar levels.
Physical Therapy and Exercise:
- Gentle exercises, stretching, and physical therapy may help reduce tension and improve posture, which can alleviate headaches.
Medications:
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Pain Relievers:
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) can help relieve mild to moderate headaches.
Prescription Medications:
- Triptans: These medications (e.g., sumatriptan, rizatriptan) are often prescribed for migraines and work by constricting blood vessels and blocking pain pathways in the brain.
- Ergotamine derivatives: Another class of drugs used to treat migraines, particularly when triptans are ineffective.
- Preventive Medications: If headaches or migraines are frequent and severe, doctors may prescribe medications to prevent attacks, such as beta-blockers, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, or Botox injections.
Combination Medications:
- Some medications combine pain relievers with caffeine or other substances to enhance their effectiveness in treating headaches.
His very soft spoken, he really treats the patients and family well. He understands the problem of patients. Not just treats them but follows up with them. He makes sure he can do his best and provide his best when under his care. He has saved my life. The best doctor I would recommend it any one wants a plastic surgeon
Patricia Fernandes