Treatment Options for Headaches
Treating headaches has gone from simply taking an aspirin to considering a variety of alternative medical options. Choosing the most appropriate treatment for your specific headache can be a daunting task, but one that becomes infinitely easier with the right understanding.
Will Smoking Trigger a Headache?
Smoking can cause a wide variety of health issues, and headaches seem to be one of them. Nicotine in tobacco products causes blood vessels to constrict, possibly leading to vascular spasm and migraines. Smoking may also directly stimulate nerves in the back of the throat, leading to head pain.
Smoking can cause a wide variety of health issues, and headaches seem to be one of them. Nicotine in tobacco products causes blood vessels to constrict, possibly leading to vascular spasm and migraines. Smoking may also directly stimulate nerves in the back of the throat, leading to head pain.
Headache Treatments - Migraine and Other Headache Treatments
There are many, many headache treatment, as evidenced by the abundance of advertisements on radio and television, in magazines, and on the internet. What works well for one person may or may not work well for another, so it is a good thing there are so many choices. Here is an overview of some of the treatments being used for headaches.
There are many, many headache treatment, as evidenced by the abundance of advertisements on radio and television, in magazines, and on the internet. What works well for one person may or may not work well for another, so it is a good thing there are so many choices. Here is an overview of some of the treatments being used for headaches.
Triptan Medications
The selective serotonin receptor agonists, or “triptans,” are a class of medications that the FDA first approved in late 1992. These medications were considered “miracle” drugs for migraine sufferers as they had the purported ability to abort, or stop, a migraine headache at its earliest signs.
The selective serotonin receptor agonists, or “triptans,” are a class of medications that the FDA first approved in late 1992. These medications were considered “miracle” drugs for migraine sufferers as they had the purported ability to abort, or stop, a migraine headache at its earliest signs.
Pregnancy Medication Categories
The FDA requires manufacturers to label all medications with one of five pregnancy medication categories. These categories provide a way to classify the risk of taking each medication during pregnancy. While no medication is completely safe, this is a way for patients and healthcare providers to make educated decisions about whether to use a medication or not during pregnancy.
The FDA requires manufacturers to label all medications with one of five pregnancy medication categories. These categories provide a way to classify the risk of taking each medication during pregnancy. While no medication is completely safe, this is a way for patients and healthcare providers to make educated decisions about whether to use a medication or not during pregnancy.
Treating Migraines in Children
With all of the choices available, finding the best option for treating migraines in children can be a daunting task. The old adage “children are not just little adults” is quite appropriate, and it is important to exercise caution when treating children. There are some guidelines available to health care providers when it comes to treating children with migraines.
With all of the choices available, finding the best option for treating migraines in children can be a daunting task. The old adage “children are not just little adults” is quite appropriate, and it is important to exercise caution when treating children. There are some guidelines available to health care providers when it comes to treating children with migraines.
Migraine Prevention (Prophylaxis)
Migraine headaches can hit at any time, and treating them may not always be convenient. If you suffer from regular migraines, your healthcare provider may recommend preventative treatments rather than simple abortive therapies.
Migraine headaches can hit at any time, and treating them may not always be convenient. If you suffer from regular migraines, your healthcare provider may recommend preventative treatments rather than simple abortive therapies.
Prescription Medications to Relieve Migraine Headaches
Typically, most migraine sufferers will try an over-the-counter medication first, but often they will end up needing some sort of prescription remedy as well. Many of the abortive treatments available for headaches will treat not only migraines, but other headache types as well. However, there are a number of treatments that are quite specific for migraine headaches. As with all treatments for migraines, be sure to discuss questions and concerns you may have with your health care provider.
Typically, most migraine sufferers will try an over-the-counter medication first, but often they will end up needing some sort of prescription remedy as well. Many of the abortive treatments available for headaches will treat not only migraines, but other headache types as well. However, there are a number of treatments that are quite specific for migraine headaches. As with all treatments for migraines, be sure to discuss questions and concerns you may have with your health care provider.
Treatment of Headaches
There are many, many treatments for headaches, as evidenced by the abundance of advertisements on radio and television, in magazines, and on the internet. What works well for one person may or may not work well for another, so it is a good thing there are so many choices. Here is an overview of some of the treatments being used for headaches.
There are many, many treatments for headaches, as evidenced by the abundance of advertisements on radio and television, in magazines, and on the internet. What works well for one person may or may not work well for another, so it is a good thing there are so many choices. Here is an overview of some of the treatments being used for headaches.
Over-the-Counter Treatments for Migraine Headaches
While migraines are annoying and at times disabling, treatment choices don’t have to be confusing. There are a number of treatments that are available over-the-counter (OTC). As with all headache treatments, be sure to discuss your intentions and concerns with your health care practitioner.
While migraines are annoying and at times disabling, treatment choices don’t have to be confusing. There are a number of treatments that are available over-the-counter (OTC). As with all headache treatments, be sure to discuss your intentions and concerns with your health care practitioner.
More OTC Treatments for Migraines
Although some headaches may require the firepower of a prescription drug, others respond to basic over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications, which have the advantage of being readily available and relatively inexpensive. Their use -- plus the use of other interventions, depending on the type of headache you have -- may help ease your pain.
Although some headaches may require the firepower of a prescription drug, others respond to basic over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications, which have the advantage of being readily available and relatively inexpensive. Their use -- plus the use of other interventions, depending on the type of headache you have -- may help ease your pain.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Use in Headaches
Acetaminophen is likely the most commonly used pain reliever today. It has long been touted as a safe and effective treatment for a wide range of pain, including headaches, whether you have migraines, tension headaches, or cluster headaches. Acetaminophen use comes with some risk, however, so understanding proper dosing and potential hazards is important. As always, discuss any medication uses or changes with your health care provider.
Acetaminophen is likely the most commonly used pain reliever today. It has long been touted as a safe and effective treatment for a wide range of pain, including headaches, whether you have migraines, tension headaches, or cluster headaches. Acetaminophen use comes with some risk, however, so understanding proper dosing and potential hazards is important. As always, discuss any medication uses or changes with your health care provider.
FDA Medication Watch List
The Food and Drug Administration is now keeping a list of medications with questionable safety profiles. This list is updated quarterly and includes the trade name, generic name, and potentially problematic issues.
The Food and Drug Administration is now keeping a list of medications with questionable safety profiles. This list is updated quarterly and includes the trade name, generic name, and potentially problematic issues.