How to Prevent Migraines

Preventive medicine might not be right for you if:

• You don’t get headaches often and they’re controlled by NSAIDs
• You have other health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, pancreatitis, or a liver problem such as hepatitis
• If you take other medications that interact with migraine prevention drugs
• You prefer treatments that don't involve meds

How to prevent migraines without medication

If you can't take medication or prefer not to, you and your doctor could consider medical devices such as:

Cefaly, a small headband device that sends electrical pulses through the forehead to stimulate a nerve linked with migraines

Spring TMS or eNeura sTMS, a device for people who have an aura before migraine headaches. You hold it at the back of your head at the first sign of a headache, and it gives off a magnetic pulse that stimulates part of the brain.

Noninvasive vagus nerve stimulator (nVS) gammaCore, a handheld device placed over the vagus nerve in the neck. It releases mild electrical stimulation to the nerve fibers to relieve pain.

Nerivio, a wireless remote electrical device, for use at home, that changes nerve activity. You put it on your upper arm when a migraine headache starts.
 

Botox for Migraines

Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin. When injected into specific muscles in the forehead and neck, it can disrupt the pain pathways associated with migraines. By blocking the release of certain neurotransmitters, Botox can reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks.

A doctor will inject small amounts of the toxin around your face and scalp every 3 months to keep migraines from happening. This treatment is approved only for people who have headaches at least 15 days a month.

While Botox is not a cure for migraines, it can be a good option if you get frequent and severe headaches. Research shows that many people experience a reduction in the number of migraine days per month after receiving Botox injections. However, the benefits may vary from person to person, and not everyone will respond equally well to this treatment.

Pregnancy and Migraine Prevention Medications

You may find your migraines ease up when you're pregnant, especially during your second and third trimesters. This is due to higher levels of hormones that act as natural painkillers.

How Long Does It Take Migraine Prevention Medicine to Work?

The time it takes for your migraine prevention medicine to work varies from person to person. While you may notice a difference within a few weeks, it could be several months before you see significant improvement.

Things that can affect how quickly a medication works include:

• Your body's unique response to the medication
• The specific characteristics of your migraines (frequency, severity)
• The amount of medication you're taking
• Different medications may have different timelines for effectiveness

It's important to be patient and continue taking your medicine according to your doctor's instructions. They will tell you about how long you can expect the medication to start working. If it doesn't start working within that time frame, they may adjust your dose, change your medication, or suggest other treatment options.

Supplements for Migraine Prevention

Researchers have looked into many supplements to prevent or treat migraine. Some of them have shown promise, but they still need to do more research to know for sure that they work. Vitamins can have side effects just as medications can, so be sure to talk to your doctor before trying any supplement, including vitamins and herbs, for your migraines.

The supplements that are currently being studied include:

Magnesium . While the studies so far have been small, early evidence shows that this mineral may slightly reduce how often people have migraines. Researchers think it may help slow down or block chemicals in the brain that transmit pain between nerve cells. Magnesium may prevent the narrowing of blood vessels that can cause pain. It may also block the wave of brain signals that can cause a migraine with aura. Some studies show that a daily dose of magnesium taken by mouth can prevent menstrual migraines.

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin). Riboflavin plays an important role in giving your cells energy. Because it's involved in mitochondrial energy production, it might help with migraines. Studies show it’s usually safe and could be a good way to prevent migraines. Experts suggest taking 400 milligrams daily to see if it helps reduce how often and how bad your migraines are, but you should always talk to your doctor before taking a supplement.

Lifestyle Changes for Migraine Prevention

Your everyday habits can go a long way to help you have fewer and less severe migraines. Some things that may help include:

Sleep. Go to bed and get up at about the same time every day, including on weekends and holidays. When you hit the sack at random times or you get too much or too little shut-eye, that can trigger a headache.

Exercise regularly. You may be tempted to avoid being active, afraid it might trigger a migraine. Overdoing a workout may trigger a headache for some people. However, research suggests that regular, moderate aerobic exercise may make migraines shorter, less severe, and less frequent for many people. It also helps control stress, another trigger.

Eat regular meals. A drop in blood sugar can set off a migraine, so keep it steady by not skipping meals. Also, drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, which can trigger headaches.

Limit stress. Tension is a common trigger. So, take time each day to relax. You could:

• Listen to calming music.
• Take a short walk.
• Meditate.
• Do yoga.

Try complementary techniques. Along with your prescribed treatment, you might want to try one of these to help prevent migraines, such as:

• Acupuncture
• Massage

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). A highly effective way to manage migraine symptoms is to combine a medication plan and work with a mental health provider with experience in headache treatment. They’ll help you identify your personal triggers so you can avoid them when you can and manage your symptoms when you can’t. With this type of therapy, you can learn ways to manage both migraine pain and the emotional stress that often goes along with it.

Biofeedback. This is a technique that helps you manage migraines by teaching you to relax and reduce stress. Biofeedback involves using sensors to monitor your body's responses and provide real-time feedback. This can help you identify and address patterns of tension or stress that may lead to migraines. 

Takeaways

There isn't a cure for migraines yet. But there are plenty of treatment options that can help reduce the frequency and severity of migraine attacks. Work with your doctor to find the right combination of preventive treatments, including medication, medical devices, supplements, and alternative treatments.