Migraine Headaches
A migraine sufferer may suffer from a lack of energy and sensitivity to light and sound for 24 hours after an attack. Migraines also cause patients to experience vertigo, double vision, nausea, vomiting, paralysis and fainting in extreme cases.
When a migraine attack occurs, the temporal artery, the artery outside the skull just below the skin of the temple, enlarges. This enlargement stretches the nerves that spiral around the artery, releasing chemicals that cause pain and inflammation. The artery continues to enlarge during the duration of the headache, thereby intensifying the pain.
Migraine headaches can be treated with medications that counteract the cause of the enlargement of the temporal artery. These medications do not relieve the pain but are directed at the dilation and narrowing of the arteries, thus reducing the pain the patient experiences. Triptans constrict the blood vessels by attaching themselves to serotonin receptors on the nerves and blood vessels, reducing inflammation and stopping the headache. Sumatriptan, Zolmitriptan, rizatriptan, Naratriptan, Almotriptan, frovatriptan are available in oral form for the patient to take. When a patient notices the symptoms of the migraine early, using a triptan can severly lessen the attack of the pain. Within 2 hours of taking the triptan, a patient is 80% likely to abort the headache.
Triptans do have side effects including heart attacks, strokes, drowsiness, fatigue, tingling of the skin, facial flushing and dizziness. The possibility of such severe side effects such as heart attack or strokes is caused by the narrowing of the arteries that the triptan induces, also narrowing the arteries in the heart which could increase the risk of heart attack. Ergots are another medication that, like triptans, abort the onset of a migraine headache. Ergotamine preparations (Ergomar, Wigraine and Cafergot) and dihydroergotamine preparations (Migranal, DHE-45) are common medications among ergots.
These are not as safe as triptans because ergots tend to constrict the vessels in the heart and other body parts more than triptans. Midrin is another option in the treatment and abortion of migraine and tension headaches. This compination of blood vessel constrictor (isometheptene), pain reliever (acetominophen) and a mild sedative (dichloralphenazone) is most helpful if taken early during a headache. It also causes potent blood vessel constriction and is dangerous for patients with high blood pressure and liver disease.
Related Tags: headache, migraine, head pain
Eric Hartwell oversees "The World's Best Homepage" intended to be a user-generated resource where YOUR opinion counts. Anybody can contribute and all are welcomed. Visit us to read, comment upon or share opinions on health and visit our associated site articles for free.
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- 4 Tips To Lessen Pain Of Headaches
If you always suffer from headaches for being cooped up in the office all day, you are not alone. Su - Pain - Fibromyalgia Pain Treatment for Severe Pain
Is this you? Experiencing severe pain all over your body. You feel exhausted all of the time. You ha - Pain - Plantar Fasciitis Pain Therapy To Relieve Your pain
If you experience foot pain caused by plantar fasciitis, you are most likely in search of successful - Do You Suffer From Irritable Bowel Syndrome Migraine Pain?
There have been a number of studies carried out about the impact of IBS symptoms, including irritabl - Prednisone and Massage
One of the most often presented conditions that massage therapists encounter is chronic pain, making - Headaches - Distressing If Not Serious
Headaches can be very distressing. They are a common symptom and many headaches are self-limiting an - Headache - Such A Common Complaint
Headaches can be very distressing. They are a common symptom and many headaches are self-limiting an - Headaches - Prevention Worth Considering
Headaches can be very distressing. They are a common symptom and many headaches are self-limiting an - Sinus Headache Relief In The Shape Of A Bed!
The sinus headache is unique in it's location. It primarily affects the face, but can also affect th - Pain - Shoulder Pain Causes, Tests, And Treatments
Painful shoulder conditions that limit movement are common, and are caused by problems with the shou
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Is My Tension Headache Serious? How Do I Know?
Muscles in the back of the head and scalp tighten which decreases blood flow into the head and leads - Fibromyalgia Pain Management
Because of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), and fibromyalgia (a painful autoimmune disease), I was ba - Can Migraine Headaches Be Caused By Driving?
Nowadays we all have to drive more than ever and if our car seats aren't set up properly it can lead - Migraines Headaches - What Are They And How Are They Caused?
A migraine is a recurring vascular headache - they happen again and again. It is much more than a ba - Neck Pain - Lower Back Pain: Should Treatments Be Focused Only To The Area That Hurts?
If a person has neck pain or lower back pain and treatments are directed only to the area involved, - Ease Your Back With Natural Pain Relief
It is a well known fact that many of us suffer with back ache in various degrees from simple aches t - How to Overcome Joint Pain with 3 Exercise Tips
If you are suffering from joint pain or arthritis, then you must be eager to seek about joint pain c - Beating Fibromyalgia
As a sufferer of Fibromyalgia I believe that trying to beat Fibromyalgia is a healthy attitude to ad - Frequent Headache Symptoms Might Require Attention
Almost everyone suffers from a headache from time to time. But for those who deal with frequent head - Trigger Point Therapy
Many of the people that come to Massage Therapists and Bodyworkers are seeking someone to help them