The team suggests that there are more pain-relieving options than ever before and that there are several types of drugs that can ease migraine pain. Further, more treatments are becoming available, like nerve-stimulating devices, that offer encouragement.
The key, however, is finding the one that works for you. Not every treatment option will offer results for everyone that tries it, so taking the time to find the right fit is essential.
And it can be daunting. But if you remain hopeful and keep the search alive, at some point you should wind up with something that works. Don’t assume that because one or two treatments have had no effect that nothing will.
The review, which was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), analyzed more than 100 published studies of various classes of migraine drugs.
Some options include those that block proteins associated with migraines, or others that target hormone receptors. They also looked at common anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and aspirin, as well as migraine-specific drugs called triptans.
They noted that all the drugs outperformed placebos in reducing migraine pain two hours into an attack and the next day. They found that triptans were best when it came to treating acute pain.
Triptans target serotonin and can be effective at controlling pain. One potential drawback, however, is that they constrict blood vessels and essentially unsafe for people with a high risk of heart attack or stroke.
As you test out various options for treatment, try to observe potential lifestyle measures that may help limit a migraine. These include:
- A consistent sleep schedule
- Regular exercise
- Adequate nutrition and no skipping meals
- Stress management
- Avoiding personally identified migraine triggers