When amigrainestrikes, it can feel like your brain has completely turned against you.
With that in mind, we talked to several neurologists about how they prevent and treat their own migraines.
Everyones migraines are different, and the best treatment for each person is pretty individual.
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Still, you might learn something from these experts that can help you combat your own migraines.
The pain is excruciating, he says.
There are a few reasons why these drugs are considered first-line defenses against migraines.
Doctors arent entirely sure why acetaminophen works to alleviate migraines.
However, there is a theory that it may reduce prostaglandins effects as well, Dr. Sachdev says.
Having too muchcaffeineis a common migraine trigger, according to theMayo Clinic.
It can also help enhance the pain-fighting effects of acetaminophen and aspirin, the organization says.
Or take the recommended dose of a migraine-relieving drug that contains caffeine instead.
Poorsleephabits can bring on migraines in some people, according to theMayo Clinic.
Dr. Sachdev knows this all too well.
Dr. Cheng does find that taking a mix of B vitamins including riboflavin is helpful in preventing his migraines.
I take it every morning, he says.
With that said, this is still an emerging area of research.
Bring this one up at your next appointment before giving it a try.
In more migraine unfairness, not eating often enough can trigger symptoms.
That is usually enough to prevent a full-blown migraine, he says.
Eating regularly wont necessarily help if your meals are full of things that can induce migraines.
Some prescription migraine drugs are meant to relieve pain in the moment.
For instance, Dr. Weber relies onnaratriptanfor help with his migraines.
Another common class of migraine drugs isergots, which decrease your bodys transmission of pain messages.
Others drugs, like erenumab-aooe, are supposed to stop migraines from even starting.
In exciting news for some people with migraines, in May 2018 theU.S.
Food and Drug Administration(FDA) approved the use of erenumab-aooe to prevent migraines.
It works by blocking the activity of calcitonin gene-related peptide, a molecule that is involved in migraine attacks.
If I catch it early, I can knock it out, Dr.