One migraine is bad enough. Having to suffer through hours and possibly days of thunderous pain and discomfort is an experience you are not likely to forget anytime soon. Can you imagine having to relive that pain over and over again for as long as you live? Welcome to the world of those who suffer from chronic migraines.
What It Means to Live With Chronic Migraines
If you suffer from chronic migraines, every day can be a struggle. Those with chronic migraines spend half of their lives with headaches, as they experience 15 or more headaches a month.
While not all of these headaches are severe migraines, a headache can still cause considerable discomfort. Each of these 15 headaches last 4 or more hours, and up to 8 of the headaches a month will in fact be a migraine. If you suffer from chronic migraines, it is essential to try to find a suitable treatment option.
Chronic Migraine Treatment Options
There are a variety of different treatment options for chronic migraines, and each treatment plan will be different based on the individual. That is why it is important to see a medical professional, as they can determine the best treatment for you. Below you can find a brief overview of some prominent treatment methods.
Pain Relievers
The first and most basic treatment is pain relief medication. Pain relievers are used to treat the symptoms of a migraine, with the hope of making the pain and discomfort somewhat manageable. Some popular pain relievers for migraines include Aspirin, ibuprofen, Tylenol, Excederin Migraine, triptans, ergots, and opioids.
Anti-Nausea Medication
Anti-nausea medication is usually used in concert with other medications to help if you frequently feel nauseous or vomit when you get migraines. Some popular anti-nausea medication includes Reglan and Compro.
Beta Blockers
Beta blockers are commonly used as cardiovascular drugs to treat high blood pressure and heart disease, but also can reduce the frequency and severity of migraines. If you are young and healthy, your doctor may try beta blockers or a different cardiovascular medication.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants can manipulate your serotonin levels and the levels of other brain chemicals, reducing the frequency of migraines. Antidepressants have a variety of side effects, including drowsiness, constipation, weight gain, and dry mouth.
Anti-Seizure Drugs
Some anti-seizure drugs can be effective in reducing the frequency of migraines. However, the litany of side effects these drugs can cause makes them an uncommon treatment method.
Clinical Trials to Treat Chronic Migraines in San Diego
If you have tried a variety of treatments and none of them can curb your chronic migraines, it may be time to try a clinical trial. Clinical trials test out new treatments for migraines on study participants, providing free access to cutting-edge treatment. Synergy Research Centers in San Diego is currently running a migraine clinical trial and is in need of participants. For more information, give us a call at (888) 539-0282.