Treatments for Headaches
While we are suffering from a headache we generally try to think of ways to stop the pain. However, as there are different types of headaches, the treatments may work for only a few of the headache types. There are two different ways of curing the pain caused by headaches. These types of headache treatment are named prophylactical and abortive headache treatments.
The prophylactic type of treatment has to be taken continuously in order to reduce the frequency of and to control the severity of the headache. Abortive headache treatment is started only when the headache starts.
You should realize that your doctor will not prescribe any prophylactic headache treatment unless you are suffering from several, frequent headache attacks per 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 very important to know whether the patient is or becomes pregnant. If you do become pregnant, then your doctor should be informed so that tests can be done to discover any possible effects to the foetus.
The primary prescription drugs used for the treatment of headaches are beta blockers like 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 may also be given Serotonin Antagonists like Sansert.
Usually, anti-convulsants such as Tegretol, Depakote, and Dilantin are also given for headache treatment. Cafergot and Sansert (ergot derivatives) could also be given by your doctor. The ‘abortive’ headache treatment types available for your headache pain are usually the ‘over the counter’ (OTC) type. These include Paracetamol, Aspirin, Tylenol, Panadol, Motrin, and Advil to mention only a few. Tylenol and Panadol are known as Acetaminophen drugs. Motrin and Advil are in the family of drugs known as Ibuprofen.
Further to these headache treatments 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 taking these drugs can result in other problems, you should consult your doctor in order to discover if they are all right for you or not. People who prefer to take an ‘alternative’ headache treatment should ask their doctor whether he thinks the alternative medicine, such as aromatherapy or supplements, will be efficacious.
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