The violent pain of migraines, described more than 2,000 years ago by the Greek physician Hippocrates, can be prevented in 40 percent of patients.
Still, only 13 percent of patients use preventative drugs, according to research by the Mayo Clinic.
The success of preventative drugs can be a matter of trial and error, taking up to four weeks to decrease the frequency and severity of migraines.
Here are the current therapies:
* Antiseizure drugs – Reduce the frequency of migraines, but are shown to have side effects of weakened bones, tingling in arms and legs, mood problems, among others.
Antidepressants – Elavil is usually prescribed for people under 65 since it puts the user at risk for irregular heart rhythm. It has been shown to be effective at migraine prevention plus insomnia and depression.
Blood pressure medications – Beta blockers have the best track record for preventing migraines. ACE inhibitors are also used.
Botulinum toxin type A (Botox) – Two studies show the worth of Botox as effective in reducing migraine frequency. By injection.
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader’s money, real estate, and business coverage.