Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
How Can Episodic Migraines Be Treated?
Question: Sir, I suffer often by acidity migraine.whenever I feel temperature variation like ac to warm climate or vice versa or cold water in summer Migraine triggers severe headache.I get relax only after vomiting. please suggest remedy
Brief Answer:
Episodic migraines with triggers
Detailed Answer:
Good morning. As a headache specialist my routine is to ask my patients to keep a journal of their headaches so as to identify things such as intensity, duration, possible triggers, and medications they take for the headaches (in order to identify MEDICATION OVERUSE). In your case, it sounds as if you are aware of some possible environmental cues that can precipitate headaches. Once the diary has been completed over a period of several weeks then, it should be easy for your doctor or headache specialist to make a good diagnosis as to the type of headaches you have and what best to treat with in terms of acute vs. prophylactic or preventative medications.
If indeed these are MIGRAINE headaches then, there a certain class of medication that is indicated and usually quite effective (triptans). If the headaches are coming on with a frequency of more than 1-2x/week then, a preventative agent may be of help. Again, your headache diary will tell the doctor if this is the case or not. If you are suffering from GI symptoms as well in terms or aura or premonitory disturbances to the headache then, an antiemetic or antinausea agent may be indicated. I understand that you seem to get better only AFTER vomiting and several of my patients endorse this same phenomenon but of course, it would be best not to get the headaches in the first place. That way, you don't have to vomit.
If I've provided useful and helpful information to your questions could you do me a huge favor by CLOSING THE QUERY and be sure to include some fine words of feedback along with a 5 STAR rating? Again, many thanks for submitting your inquiry and please let me know how things turn out.
Do not forget to contact me in the future at: www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi for additional questions, comments, or concerns having to do with this topic or others.
This query has utilized a total of 20 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.
Episodic migraines with triggers
Detailed Answer:
Good morning. As a headache specialist my routine is to ask my patients to keep a journal of their headaches so as to identify things such as intensity, duration, possible triggers, and medications they take for the headaches (in order to identify MEDICATION OVERUSE). In your case, it sounds as if you are aware of some possible environmental cues that can precipitate headaches. Once the diary has been completed over a period of several weeks then, it should be easy for your doctor or headache specialist to make a good diagnosis as to the type of headaches you have and what best to treat with in terms of acute vs. prophylactic or preventative medications.
If indeed these are MIGRAINE headaches then, there a certain class of medication that is indicated and usually quite effective (triptans). If the headaches are coming on with a frequency of more than 1-2x/week then, a preventative agent may be of help. Again, your headache diary will tell the doctor if this is the case or not. If you are suffering from GI symptoms as well in terms or aura or premonitory disturbances to the headache then, an antiemetic or antinausea agent may be indicated. I understand that you seem to get better only AFTER vomiting and several of my patients endorse this same phenomenon but of course, it would be best not to get the headaches in the first place. That way, you don't have to vomit.
If I've provided useful and helpful information to your questions could you do me a huge favor by CLOSING THE QUERY and be sure to include some fine words of feedback along with a 5 STAR rating? Again, many thanks for submitting your inquiry and please let me know how things turn out.
Do not forget to contact me in the future at: www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi for additional questions, comments, or concerns having to do with this topic or others.
This query has utilized a total of 20 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
The frequency is one/month. Whenever I drive vehicle it occurs.What precautions should I take
Brief Answer:
No precautions necessary
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for your follow up information.
First of all, a good diagnosis of what type of headache is necessary so I believe you should have that issue decided upon by someone you can see who can make that determination. That way the very best intervention/medication can be chosen for your condition.
But nevertheless if the incidence of your headache is only ONCE MONTHLY then, no prophylactic measures (preventative) are indicated. What would be needed is the specific medication to be taken at the time the symptoms come on. If done properly this measure is very successful in most cases and you will abort the headache in less than 30-60 min. If you KNOW what sorts of things can TRIGGER these headaches then, the prevention comes from knowing what those agents or circumstances are that put you at high risk for headaches.
If for example, it is a large temperature change that can trip off these headaches then, you should do everything possible to avoid going into areas that suddenly change temperature. If driving seems to trigger then, you may wish to find out if there is specific ABOUT driving that brings the headache on such as motion in the car, glare of lights from oncoming traffic, or the stress and tension from driving in a crowded or fast moving environment. Then, take measures to avoid these situations if possible such as having another person drive you places that are necessary or finding a position in the car where motion and turning do not as much affect you (front seat vs. back), etc.
If I've provided useful and helpful information to your questions could you do me a huge favor by CLOSING THE QUERY and be sure to include some fine words of feedback along with a 5 STAR rating? Again, many thanks for submitting your inquiry and please let me know how things turn out.
Do not forget to contact me in the future at: www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi for additional questions, comments, or concerns having to do with this topic or others.
This query has utilized a total of 32 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.
No precautions necessary
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for your follow up information.
First of all, a good diagnosis of what type of headache is necessary so I believe you should have that issue decided upon by someone you can see who can make that determination. That way the very best intervention/medication can be chosen for your condition.
But nevertheless if the incidence of your headache is only ONCE MONTHLY then, no prophylactic measures (preventative) are indicated. What would be needed is the specific medication to be taken at the time the symptoms come on. If done properly this measure is very successful in most cases and you will abort the headache in less than 30-60 min. If you KNOW what sorts of things can TRIGGER these headaches then, the prevention comes from knowing what those agents or circumstances are that put you at high risk for headaches.
If for example, it is a large temperature change that can trip off these headaches then, you should do everything possible to avoid going into areas that suddenly change temperature. If driving seems to trigger then, you may wish to find out if there is specific ABOUT driving that brings the headache on such as motion in the car, glare of lights from oncoming traffic, or the stress and tension from driving in a crowded or fast moving environment. Then, take measures to avoid these situations if possible such as having another person drive you places that are necessary or finding a position in the car where motion and turning do not as much affect you (front seat vs. back), etc.
If I've provided useful and helpful information to your questions could you do me a huge favor by CLOSING THE QUERY and be sure to include some fine words of feedback along with a 5 STAR rating? Again, many thanks for submitting your inquiry and please let me know how things turn out.
Do not forget to contact me in the future at: www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi for additional questions, comments, or concerns having to do with this topic or others.
This query has utilized a total of 32 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
please suggest me some medicine when I encounter this kind of Migraine for relief
Brief Answer:
There are many types of medication for migraine headaches
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for your follow up question.
Specific medication can only be determined once the exact type of headache is known. For this you will require an examination with a neurologist or headache specialist since I do not have enough information to know whether what you are describing is a migraine headache, cluster headache, or severe tension headache. It is also possible that you may have 2 different types of headache at the same time. Taking medicine is also highly contingent upon the frequency of your headache or headaches. Typically if the frequency is =15/month then, prevention is also included.
This information only comes from keeping track of the headaches for a period of time on a HEADACHE DIARY or log and then, having a qualified professional interpret the data on that log. Options for such headaches include drugs from the TRIPTAN, ERGOT, or NSAID families of medication.
Acute triptan drugs would be such things as Sumatriptan, Rizatriptan, or Naratriptan which are probably the 3 most common, however, each one is slightly different so again, more clinical information may be necessary in order to choose the best.
Prophylactic (preventative) medications can be from the Antiepileptic group for which Topiramate is the most commonly used in migraine or Tricyclic group for which Nortriptyline would be one of my first recommendations.
Again, I would not recommend simply taking a medication "off the shelf" and trying to use it as you would some over the counter preparation since these medications can actually have side effects that are quite intense and if not taken properly, too often, or for the right type of headache will make the headaches more frequent and ultimately more difficult to treat. A headache specialist will also be beneficial in helping you identify possible TRIGGERS or PRECIPITANTS to your headaches which would obviously prompt the doctor to recommend some type of avoidance strategies (motion, chemical ingestions, psychological stresses, etc.)
You should enlist the expertise of a headache specialist or at least a neurologist with an interest in headaches to properly manage your clinical situation going forward.
I wish you all the best and look forward to hearing how things go in the future.
If I've provided useful and helpful information to your questions could you do me a huge favor by CLOSING THE QUERY and be sure to include some fine words of feedback along with a 5 STAR rating? Again, many thanks for submitting your inquiry and please let me know how things turn out.
Do not forget to contact me in the future at: www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi for additional questions, comments, or concerns having to do with this topic or others.
This query has utilized a total of 51 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.
There are many types of medication for migraine headaches
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for your follow up question.
Specific medication can only be determined once the exact type of headache is known. For this you will require an examination with a neurologist or headache specialist since I do not have enough information to know whether what you are describing is a migraine headache, cluster headache, or severe tension headache. It is also possible that you may have 2 different types of headache at the same time. Taking medicine is also highly contingent upon the frequency of your headache or headaches. Typically if the frequency is =15/month then, prevention is also included.
This information only comes from keeping track of the headaches for a period of time on a HEADACHE DIARY or log and then, having a qualified professional interpret the data on that log. Options for such headaches include drugs from the TRIPTAN, ERGOT, or NSAID families of medication.
Acute triptan drugs would be such things as Sumatriptan, Rizatriptan, or Naratriptan which are probably the 3 most common, however, each one is slightly different so again, more clinical information may be necessary in order to choose the best.
Prophylactic (preventative) medications can be from the Antiepileptic group for which Topiramate is the most commonly used in migraine or Tricyclic group for which Nortriptyline would be one of my first recommendations.
Again, I would not recommend simply taking a medication "off the shelf" and trying to use it as you would some over the counter preparation since these medications can actually have side effects that are quite intense and if not taken properly, too often, or for the right type of headache will make the headaches more frequent and ultimately more difficult to treat. A headache specialist will also be beneficial in helping you identify possible TRIGGERS or PRECIPITANTS to your headaches which would obviously prompt the doctor to recommend some type of avoidance strategies (motion, chemical ingestions, psychological stresses, etc.)
You should enlist the expertise of a headache specialist or at least a neurologist with an interest in headaches to properly manage your clinical situation going forward.
I wish you all the best and look forward to hearing how things go in the future.
If I've provided useful and helpful information to your questions could you do me a huge favor by CLOSING THE QUERY and be sure to include some fine words of feedback along with a 5 STAR rating? Again, many thanks for submitting your inquiry and please let me know how things turn out.
Do not forget to contact me in the future at: www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi for additional questions, comments, or concerns having to do with this topic or others.
This query has utilized a total of 51 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
