Centuries ago, migraines treatments were downright odd—and sometimes brutal. Imagine having garlic inserted into an incision in your temple, or bloodletting. At one time it was even believed that handling electric eels could cure a migraine. Luckily for us, migraine treatment options have come a long way to help those suffering to reduce migraine frequency and severity, or to stop a mild headache before it becomes a vicious migraine.
Recognizing migraine symptoms
A migraine is not just a headache. The symptoms include severe throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation on one side of the head, nausea, vomiting, and acute sensitivity to light. A migraine can last for several hours or several days, and can occur periodically or multiple times per week. If you are experiencing these symptoms, it may be time to see a headache specialist.
Migraine diagnosis and treatment
Once you have seen a doctor and have been diagnosed with migraines, it’s important to understand the treatment options available to you. These can usually be bucketed in to two categories: preventative and acute.
Preventative: These treatments are designed to reduce migraine frequency and severity. Specific treatments include pharmacological (Botox, CGRP and ketamine infusions) and non-pharmacological (neurostimluation devices).
Acute: These are treatments that are taken while you are experiencing a migraine, and include over-the-counter pain relievers, prescription medications, or treatments devices. The most commonly used medications are ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and opioids.
The future of migraine research
Hope is on the horizon to get us closer to a cure for migraines. In recent years, migraine science has made great advances in understanding brain chemistry and brain pathways. Funding campaigns are also aiding researchers so they may continue on this quest.
Stay tuned to our blog to be kept up to date on developments in migraine treatments and research. Our Chiacgoland ketamine clinic has successfully treated many patients suffering from severe migraine headaches. If you are suffering and looking for a solution, ketamine for migraines may be just what the doctor ordered. Learn more about ketamine treatments and find out if you’re a candidate by contacting us for a free consultation.
