A migraine is a debilitating headache that often causes throbbing searing pain on one, or sometimes both, sides of the patient’s head. Some migraine headaches are also accompanied by other issues such as nausea, vomiting, and intense noise or light sensitivity. An impending migraine may produce warning signs such as perceived flashing lights, blind spots, and/or tingling in the legs or arms. Over 60% of chronic headaches can be attributed to head or neck pain, muscle spasms, or what are known as TMJ disorders.

Transformed migraines are migraines that mimic a tension headache.

A Rebound headache, also called a Medication overuse headache, results from the daily use of certain kinds of medicines. Some over-the-counter and prescription medications that can lead to migraines include narcotics, triptans, antihistamines, Fioricet, Midrin, Tylenol, Advil and Excedrin, as well as many others.

Treatment options for migraine headaches include medication, the removal of rebound-causing drugs, nerve blocks, splint therapy, and surgery.

Medications for Migraines

If a migraine has already begun, symptom-relieving medications can be taken to help minimize its symptoms. For mild to moderate migraine pain, aspirin, ibuprofen, and combinations of aspirin, acetaminophen and caffeine can be effective. More severe migraines may respond to prescription medications like triptans or ergotamine. For patients who aren't able to take other migraine-relieving drugs, codeine can be prescribed.

Taken before a migraine develops, preventive medications result in fewer, shorter, and less intense migraine headaches. Preventive medications have also been shown to boost the effectiveness of symptom-relieving medicines. A number of medications on the market can help prevent migraines, including some heart disease drugs (calcium channel blockers, beta blockers and anti-hypertensives), anti-depressants (SNRIs and tricyclic anti-depressants), and anti-seizure drugs (Topamax and Depakote).

Non-Surgical Migraine Treatments

Migraines can often be successfully treated by focusing on the cause of the headaches; for instance, TMJ dysfunction, head/neck pain, or muscle spasms. If a patient's migraines are due to TMJ pain in the jaw, head or neck, splint therapy can effectively alleviate that pain and decrease occurrences of migraine headaches. Injections of Botox into the muscles of the neck and forehead as well as occipital nerve blocks (steroid injections into the back of the head) can also be effective preventive treatments for migraine.

Surgical Interventions for Migraine

If more conservative measures are not successful, surgery may be a final option for preventing migraine incidences. Surgical procedures exist to either remove the nerves and muscle tissue related to chewing and frowning or to straighten a deviated septum for the treatment of migraine pain.