Migraine preventive treatment reduces the frequency, severity and duration of migraine attacks. It also reduces medication usage. Anyone who has headache-related symptoms should consult a healthcare professional. They may recommend various treatments, such as headache diaries and acupuncture. Patients should be reminded that effective treatment does not guarantee a cure and that reversion to episodic or retransformation to chronic migraine can occur. Long-term management should be a primary care responsibility, and referral to specialist care should be timely.
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Relieves Stress
Migraine attacks can cause a lot of stress. And the more stressful a migraine is, the worse the effects on the brain and body. That’s why getting a diagnosis and treatment early is so important. A migraine treatment Jacksonville FL specialist will talk to you about your symptoms and do a physical examination. They may also do diagnostic tests, such as MRI or blood samples. Some migraine triggers are avoidable, such as big changes to your life (like a new job or losing a loved one). But even small daily stresses like an irregular sleep schedule can trigger headaches. That’s why keeping a regular schedule and minimizing change is so important. Research has shown that any decline in stress is associated with a decrease in the likelihood of a migraine attack.
Identify the Cause
Many factors, including light, sound, food and weather, can cause migraine headaches. Identifying your triggers can help prevent migraines from occurring. Stress can be a major trigger for migraines, which can be helped by practicing biofeedback, yoga and relaxation training. Sleep problems like insomnia and teeth grinding can also cause migraines, so try to get a good night’s rest each night. A headache journal can help pinpoint the causes of your migraines, so write down everything you eat, drink and do each day, how you feel and what the weather is like. Over time, you can find some patterns that lead to migraines. Then you can work towards reducing these triggers to avoid future migraines.
Prevents Future Attacks
Migraines can be disabling, but you don’t have to live with them. With the right treatment, you can find relief and avoid future attacks. Proper diagnosis relies on taking a careful medical history and applying ICHD-3 criteria. Validated diagnostic aids and screening tools are useful, including headache diaries and the three-item ID-Migraine questionnaire or the five-item Migraine Screen Questionnaire22. A CT scan can also help determine the cause of migraines, such as a tumor or other problems that may lead to pain and swelling. Treatment options include acute (abortive) and preventive medicines. Preventive medicines can decrease the frequency of migraines and their severity, make acute attacks more responsive to abortive medications, improve function and quality of life, and prevent medication overuse headaches. In this condition, patients take headache medicine too often.
Reduces Pain
A migraine is a severe, recurrent headache lasting 4-72 hours and often causes light, sound, and movement sensitivity. Many patients also experience nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. Various factors, including stress, sleep deprivation and certain foods, can trigger it. Neurologists can help reduce pain and prevent future attacks with acute (abortive) treatment and preventive therapy. Preventive treatments include exercise, ice packs, sleep, and avoiding triggers like alcohol and caffeine. Some people find relief with talk therapy, known as acceptance and commitment therapy, which can help them learn to control their responses to pain and other stressors. Follow-up is best accomplished in primary care, with more opportunities to monitor patient outcomes and react quickly to changes. Referral to specialist care should be reserved for those not responding to adequate primary care management.
Relieves Anxiety
A headache sufferer’s life becomes impacted significantly by this condition, even when their attacks aren’t disabling. Whether you’re forced to miss important work opportunities or spend less time with friends and family, living in chronic yet unpredictable pain takes a major emotional toll. Talk therapy can help alleviate the mental health impacts of migraine. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective at changing the way a person thinks, which can reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. In addition, mindfulness, acceptance, and commitment therapy can improve how a person responds to pain. This technique teaches them to practice non-judgmental awareness of their thoughts and feelings moment-to-moment. Those following these practices often report that their migraine attacks are less frequent and severe.
