Preventive or Prophylactic

preventive, or prophylactic, medications are prescribed to prevent or reduce the number of attacks in patients who experience frequent Migraines, typically two or more per month. In general, these medications act over time to prevent blood-vessel swelling; however, they do not treat the Migraine-associated symptoms and are non-selective. Many sufferers using preventive treatments will still have to take attack-aborting medications to relieve pain and other symptoms.

Beta-blockers are the most commonly prescribed prophylactic treatment for Migraine and are considered to be an effective preventive treatment. Medication includes propranolol. Click here for more detailed information.

Antidepressants are believed to have a possible effect on serotonin or possible analgesic effects. Click here for more detailed information.

Calcium channel blockers are also used to decrease the frequency of Migraine attacks. It is thought that calcium channel blockers play a role in vessel constriction. Click here for more detailed information.

Methysergide is thought to block the inflammatory and vessel-constricting effects of serotonin. Because of potential side-effects, methysergide is generally used only on select patients. This medication also requires a four to six week drug hiatus every six months. Click here for more detailed information.

Divalproex Sodium (Depakote®) is probably the most promising of the preventive regiments currently available for Migraine. This drug was originally developed for Epilepsy; a disease often referred to as a sister disorder to Migraine, prescribed in much smaller doses when used to treat Migraine thus lessening the mild side effects.

Non-drug Alternatives to Preventative Treatment

Gut Brain Therapy ™  MAGNUM looks into the exciting work that ForeverWell is doing in Migraine research & the gut brain. An intriguing possibility is beginning to develop. The growing evidence supporting our long term belief that Migraine is a brain disorder coupled with the work showing a second brain in the gut might cause some to look at proper neuropeptide/neurotransmitter production by the digestive system as a root cause of the factors leading to Migraine.

Petasites Hybridus (Butterbur root) is a new non-drug preventive treatment available in the United States. It is available under the name of Petadolex™ from the well respected German firm of Weber & Weber. In recent double blind studies it was shown 77% effective as a Migraine prophylaxis. Dose is one 50mg capsule twice a day.

Feverfew Leaf is a good non-drug preventitive treatment you may want to explore. Its main uses are for migraines and arthritis. Studies at the London Migraine Clinic have increased interest in this herb. This herb continues to undergo extensive scientific investigation of the parthenolide content, and how it normalizes the funtion of platelets in the blood system by inhibiting platelet aggregation, reducing serotonin release from platelets and blocking the formation of pro-inflamatory mediators. Seventy percent of the patients in these studies report fewer attacks of migraines and less painful attacks. Researchers believe that Feverfew prevents the spasms of blood vessels in the head that trigger migraines. This herb also relieves the inflammation associated with arthritis. Other benefits include: relief from nausea and vomiting; improvement of digestion; more restful sleep; and, relief of dizziness, brain, and nerve pressure.

Vitamin B2 supplements is another preventative non-drug treatment you may want to consider taking. A study in Belgium found that people who took 400 milligrams of vitamin B2 daily had about one-third fewer migraines than did those taking a placebo. The study, published in the February issue of the journal Neurology, included 55 patients in Belgium and Luxembourg who normally had two to eight migraine attacks each month.

Magnesium as an alternative preventive treatment has mixed support in the medical community. The most current position on this alternative over the counter preventive approach is best summarized by the Migraine and headache expert Ninan T. Mathew, M.D., which he noted the following at the 1998 AASH (American Association for the Study of Headache) Scottsdale Symposium-"Even though magnesium deficiency in the brain is implicated in the pathophysiology of Migraine, there is still no proof that magnesium replacement is of any benefit in Migraine prophylaxis. The only double-blind placebo controlled study in patients with Migraine without aura (69 patients) reported negative results, even though a previous small study in menstrual Migraine reported magnesium to be effective. Mauskop et al emphasized the importance of serum ionized magnesium measurements in determining the magnesium state in Migraine patients and have used intravenous magnesium in patients found to have low ionized magnesium level. These observations have not been confirmed yet."

Aromatherapy

One of the most usual natural headache relief methods is aromatherapy, which is used to promote relaxation and to relieve both stress and pain. Aromatherapy is a treatment mode which entails the use of aromatic compounds and essential oils in order to positively impact an individual’s mood and/or health. The basic materials involved in aromatherapy are: essential oils, infusions, absolutes, hydrosols, phytoncides, and carrier oils.

Herbs

Herbs are one of the most essential factors in aromatherapy, and some of the herbs that are considered as being most effective in relieving headaches are:; cinnamon, believed to reduce stress and help to loosen tight muscles; lime essence, which is helpful in reducing anxiety; chamomile, which is calming and soothing, lavender, which helps reduce pain and relaxes; marjoram, which helps to ease muscle tension; peppermint, which reduces both pain and tension; and valerian, which reduces tension and pain.

Acupressure

And how can we forget acupressure related techniques involving pressure points, of which you can even do yourself at home. The technique itself is considered amazingly effective for almost all types of headaches, and only takes about 5-10 minutes. Essentially what you do is, using your thumbs, you gently massage the points that are located at your temples, and do this for about a minute, increasing the pressure as you like, but remember to never do it too hard, as the basic point is to barely touch the skin.

LINK