Migraine: Treatments and Remedies

Acute measures against migraine focus on drug therapy or treatment, which should be started as early as possible.

Drug therapy for migraine

Frequently used as medication in the treatment against migraine are triptans: serotonin receptor agonists, which pretend to the brain to be the messenger substance serotonin and thus develop its effect. In therapy, they work faster for some sufferers if taken with a hot drink.

The exception to this rule are sufferers of migraine with aura: They should wait until the aura has passed before taking strong anti-migraine drugs such as triptans or ergotamines, otherwise the risk of stroke may be increased.

If sufferers are also plagued by nausea, it is advisable – ideally 15 to 30 minutes before the triptan or other painkillers such as aspirin, ibuprofen or paracetamol – to take an anti-nausea and vomiting agent such as metoclopramide (MCP) or domperidone. This also promotes gastrointestinal activity and thus absorption of the other medications during treatment. Once this antiemetic is working, plenty should be drunk – preferably still mineral water.

Alternative options for pain relief

For some sufferers, rubbing peppermint oil on the temples as soon as an attack is on the horizon helps relieve migraines. Drinking coffee can also have a positive effect in the treatment.

Many sufferers also report that pressing acupressure points on both sides helps to soften attacks of migraine: Affected acupressure points include the hollows between the thumb and index finger, between the temples and the end of the eyebrow, and between the beginning of the eyebrow and the root of the nose.