Migraine headaches are the scourge of many people's lives. Statistics show that 2.7 million Canadians have been diagnosed with migraines, with untold numbers not seeking treatment. This condition is debilitating and often causes sufferers to miss work and impedes their ability to carry out other daily tasks. If you suffer from migraines, you can find help, both from medication and other treatments.

Symptoms

Migraines are not typical headaches. They do cause pain, but it's often pounding and "pulsating" pain. This pain frequently begins on one side of your head, although it may spread to both sides. The duration of these headaches is often much longer than usual headaches, sometimes lasting from 4 to 72 hours. You may experience gastric distress, nausea, and extreme sensitivity to sound and light. Some sufferers also see an "aura," which means you will have visual issues such as blind spots. You may also see stars or odd lines in your visual field. 

Medications

Your physician can prescribe a number of medications to help you with this condition. When blood vessels in your brain dilate, it causes many migraine symptoms. Triptan medications help constrict these vessels, which can stop a migraine in its tracks. Some OTC medications containing caffeine can also help fight these symptoms. For many sufferers, basic OTC headache remedies are not effective. Severe migraines usually require prescription drugs to effectively treat them. 

Chiropractic

Some migraine sufferers have found both relief and prevention methods from visiting their chiropractor. Muscle tightness and spinal misalignment have been linked to migraines, so taking care of these problems can reduce the severity of your symptoms. Chiropractors will focus on a variety of issues to help you combat this health issue, including soft tissue therapy, sleep problems, and stress reduction. Following a chiropractic program has been shown to reduce the frequency and severity of these attacks. If you do not get relief from medications or simply prefer a more natural therapy, chiropractic treatment is an excellent option for you to pursue.  For more information on how chiropractic care can lessen your migraine symptoms, talk to a chiropractor at an office like Ladner Chiropractic Chiropractor.

Migraines are a devastating problem for those who have this affliction. Even simple headaches can disrupt your day, but migraines can make it impossible to function, both at home and at work. Although you may be able to reduce your symptoms by taking OTC medications, you should seek medical help to manage and possibly prevent these painful incidents. Medication and/or chiropractic treatment can help you cope and even thrive as you go about your daily life.