The Treatment of Headaches

While we are suffering from a headache it is normal to try to think of ways to stop the pain. However, as there are various kinds of headaches, the treatments may be effective for only a some of the headache types. There are two different ways of curing the pain caused by headaches. These types of headache treatment are called prophylactical and abortive headache treatments.

The prophylactic type of treatment needs to be taken continuously in order to reduce the frequency of and to control the pain of the headache. Abortive headache treatment is started only when the headache starts.

You should understand that your doctor will not prescribe any prophylactic headache treatment unless you are suffering from several, frequent headache attacks a month. Furthermore, when you take the prophylactic medication you will be checked for side effects like weight gain, water retention, lethargy, memory impairment and hallucinations.

The treatment of headaches with prophylactic medication begins with a low dosage. The dosage amount is then increased as time passes. You will be tested every month or so to see if the treatment is taking effect. Your doctor will also make sure that, during this phase of your headache treatment, you are not taking any other types of medication or vitamins.

It is vital to inform the doctor whether the patient is or becomes pregnant. If you do become pregnant, then your doctor must be told, so that checks can be carried out to discover any possible side effects on the unborn baby.

The primary prescription drugs used for the treatment of headaches are beta blockers such as Tenormin and Lopressor. Calcium channel blockers like Cardizem, Dilacor, and Procardia are also used. Doctors may also prescribe anti-depressants such as Elavil and Zoloft. You can also be given Serotonin Antagonists like Sansert.

Sometimes anti-convulsants such as Tegretol, Depakote, and Dilantin are given for headache treatment. Cafergot and Sansert, which are ergot derivatives, may also be given by your doctor. The abortive headache treatment that you can take for your headache pain is generally the over the counter type. These include Paracetamol, Aspirin, Tylenol, Panadol, Motrin, and Advil to name but a few. Tylenol and Panadol are known as Acetaminophen drugs. Motrin and Advil belong to the group of drugs that are known as Ibuprofen.

Further to these headache medications there are also non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs. The side effects of NSAIDs like Naprosyn and Meclomen include nausea, gastrointestinal pain, dizziness, diarrhea, light-headedness and constipation. These headache medications can also cause some people to get side-effects in the form of a different type of headache.

Since these drugs can cause other problems you should consult your doctor in order to find out whether they are suitable for you or not. People who prefer an ‘alternative’ headache treatment should ask their doctor whether he thinks it will work.

If you suffer from migraine or headaches, you ought to visit our website on Stopping Headaches. Don’t reprint this exact article. Instead, reprint a free unique content version of this same article.