While we are suffering from a headache it is natural to think of ways to stop the pain. However, as there are different types of headaches, sometimes the treatments may work for only a few 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 treatment.

The prophylactic treatment must be taken everyday in order to reduce the frequency of the attacks and to control the severity of the headache. Abortive headache treatment is started only when the headache starts.

You must understand 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 dose is then increased monthly. You will also be checked every month or so to find out if the treatment is effective. Your doctor will also check that you are not on any other types of medicine or vitamin supplements during this early phase of your headache treatment.

It is vital to tell the doctor whether the patient is or becomes pregnant. If you do become pregnant, then your doctor must be told, so that tests can be done to uncover any possible side effects on the unborn foetus.

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 prescribed. 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, could also be prescribed 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 are in the group of drugs that are known as Ibuprofen.

Besides these headache treatments, medications include nonsteroidal 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 treatment medications can also cause some people to get a different type of headache.

Since taking these drugs can result in other problems, you should consult your doctor in order to find out whether they are all right for you or not. People who would rather take an ‘alternative’ headache treatment should ask their doctor whether he thinks the alternative medicine, such as aromatherapy or supplements, will be efficacious.

If you have a problem with migraine or headaches, you ought to definitely go to our website on Stopping Headaches.. This article, Treatments For Headaches has free reprint rights.

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