HeathPractical’s Tip About Migraine, Begone
Having a migraine headache can be the worst feeling in the world.The cause of migraine is unknown. The condition may result from a series of reactions in the central nervous system caused by changes in the body or in the environment. There is often a family history of the disorder, suggesting that migraine sufferers may inherit sensitivity to triggers that produce inflammation in the blood vessels and nerves around the brain, causing pain.
Migraine pain is often described as throbbing or pulsating pain that is intensified by routine physical activity, coughing, straining, or lowering the head. The headache is often so severe that it interferes with daily activity and may awaken the person. The attack is debilitating, and migraine sufferers are often left feeling tired and weak once the headache has passed. Sensitivity to light; noise, even movement can cause a migraine headache to increase in pain. If you have ever had a migraine, you know it can leave you irritated and, at times, debilitated for as long as it lasts.
Everytime we feel the pain in our head, we usually take a painkiller, wait for the hurt to go away and that’s it. That is the routine for most migraine sufferers But the pills most commonly used can lead to “rebound†headaches. A new study suggests that an antiseizure drug can reduce the frequency of – and in some cases, prevent migraines without that nasty rebound.
In a trial that took place at numerous medical centers across the United States and Canada, a total of 468 patients took the drug, called topiramate, or a placebo for six and a half months. Those getting 100 mg of topiramate a day experienced roughly half as many monthly migraines per month.
Migraines are caused by hyperactive brain signals overwhelming nerve endings, topiramate seems to calm the signals. Researchers believe topiramate can stabilize brain activity so migraines don’t return, meaning patients might not have to take the medicine indefinitely, says Jan Brandes, a neurologist at the Nashville Neuroscience Group. The US Food and Drug Administration is expected to approve the use of the drug before year’s end.
