Each of us had a headache at least once in a lifetime. Sometimes it is a fleeting condition, but in some cases it is a harbinger of serious health problems. Which drug to choose for quick and safe headache relief?
What can trigger a headache attack?
The most common causes of migraine attacks in men, women and children:
- cerebrovascular accident;
- head injuries;
- certain phases of the moon;
- atmospheric pressure differences;
- anxiety and neuroticism;
- periods of premenstrual syndrome in girls;
- some mental illnesses;
- hangover syndrome;
- vegetative-vascular dystonia;
- food poisoning;
- hypothermia or, on the contrary, overheating;
- colds.
In some cases, a headache can signal serious diseases of the brain, circulatory disorders, pathologies of the cervical spine. Migraine and headache pills can effectively stop a short-term attack without serious side effects. However, if the pain recurs again and again, you should consult a doctor to find out the cause of this condition.
How to cure migraine: medication
There are two treatments for migraines:
- Non-specific direction of therapy. In this case, ordinary anesthetics are used. Non-specific medicines include analgesics, combined analgesics and opioids. These drugs block the pain impulse and inhibit the synthesis of the pain modulator.
- A specific direction of therapy involves the use of modern medications, the action of which is aimed at eliminating the cause of pain in order to avoid its subsequent occurrence.
The pharmaceutical industry has not yet invented such a pill for migraine, which could once and for all rid a patient of headache attacks. The action of the drug for migraine is considered effective if:
- pain does not return within a few days after taking the pill;
- relief comes after a short time period;
- the drug has a minimum of side effects and does not cause other problems, alleviating a headache;
- the medicine at the same time relieves the patient not only of a headache, but also of tremor, fever and other related symptoms.
In what form of release can there be a remedy for migraine? Tablets, capsules, ampoules for intravenous administration. The most important thing is that they are effective for a particular patient, taking into account all its individual characteristics.
What to look for when treating
What is important to consider when prescribing pills for migraine? General health, gender, weight of the patient. For example, antispasmodics are more effective for women. And people with impaired liver function should avoid taking paracetamol-based products. Men often resort to simple analgesics of the old generation: Citramon, Analgin, Paracetamol.
It is important that pills for migraine not only eliminate pain, but also relieve common symptoms in the form of nausea, dizziness, tremor. Such a complex effect is necessary for the well-being of the patient. It is necessary to choose an effective remedy in accordance with the symptoms. Migraine tablets should have a minimum of contraindications and side effects if the patient has frequent bouts of headache.
Painkillers
Despite the fact that these drugs are often sold over-the-counter and are cheap, it is necessary to coordinate their dosage and frequency of administration with your doctor.
Effective migraine pills with a powerful analgesic effect:
- "Analgin" begins to act quickly and reduces the severity of headache ten minutes after administration. It has antipyretic properties. Not recommended for use in people with liver failure.
- Citramon is a cheap and decades-tested pill for headaches and migraines. People with jumps in blood pressure should consider that the drug contains caffeine. In some cases, this component can invigorate, and sometimes it makes you feel unwell due to hypertension.
- "Paracetamol" has a powerful analgesic and antipyretic effect. It helps not only from migraines, but also with flu, colds, tonsillitis, bronchitis and some infectious diseases. It has many contraindications and is toxic to the liver and kidneys.
- "Ibuprofen" refers to a class of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Contraindicated in people with peptic ulcer of the stomach or intestines. May cause irritation of the esophagus. It is approved for use by children - there is a special “Nurofen for children” on sale, these drugs have a common active substance and one principle of effect on receptors.
Triptans to fight headaches
If migraine tablets from the list of effective drugs above do not help, you have to look for other methods of pain relief. Drugs and new developments in the pharmaceutical industry come to the rescue. Triptans do not muffle pain, but stop inflammation in the nerve center, normalize the state of blood vessels. Here is some of them:
- "Sumamigraine" is effective for regular migraines with pronounced side symptoms (dizziness, nausea, loss of consciousness, vomiting, tremor). It is forbidden to use to persons under 18 years of age.
- Relpaks quickly and effectively relieves headaches for a long time. It is forbidden to use by children and adolescents, as well as persons who have had a stroke.
- “Zomig” and “Amigrenin” are not suitable for everyone. But if all the other medications were powerless, then you can try these triptans.
Combined medications for migraine
It often happens that one-component painkillers are no longer effective. It is worth trying combination pills for migraines.
List of effective means of combined action:
- Solpadein is a powerful prescription pain medication. An overdose causes drowsiness and in some cases causes auditory hallucinations. It is not recommended to use it independently. It is forbidden to accept persons under the age of eighteen.
- "Spazgan" relieves not only a headache, but also any other. Very powerful pain reliever. To date, it is classified as a class of drugs for the purchase of which a prescription from a doctor is mandatory.
- Pentalgin has not only an analgesic effect, but also a tangible sedative effect. After taking the pill, it begins to fall asleep, so it is better to take it at home. Do not drive and do responsible work, as the ability to concentrate is reduced.
- "Askofen" has not only anesthetic, but also an antiviral effect. Effective for headaches caused by flu and colds. It also helps with sore throat and nasopharynx, rheumatoid arthritis.
Medicines with sedative and antiemetic effect
Here is a list of migraine pills that not only relieve pain, but also have anti-anxiety, sedative, antiemetic effects:
- "Aminazine".
- "Diprazin".
- Mexidol.
- "Meterazine".
Due to their ability to induce drug dependence, these drugs are sold strictly on prescription. You can contact a neurologist, therapist, or psychiatrist for it.
These pills are necessary for those people whose migraine is caused by psychosomatic causes, excessive excitement, suspiciousness and anxiety. They are often prescribed for older people with hypochondriacal disorders. Sedation provides normalization of sleep, stimulates blood circulation in the brain, and has beneficial effects on blood vessels.
Migraine blockers
It often happens that a headache is simply an additional symptom of the underlying disease. In this case, medicines must be taken daily. Migraine blocking drugs normalize vascular tone, constrict them, and have a beneficial effect on the heart muscle.
This is Inderal (normalizes pressure, prevents the development of angina pectoris), Diltiazem, Nifedipine. they are not used independently, but in the complex therapy of the underlying disease. Before their use, it is required to visit the attending physician in order to clarify the necessary dosage and duration of treatment.
Can bee products and honey be effective for headaches?
Many patients are biased about taking pills for migraines. Especially the elderly. They fear the development of side effects and the toxic effects of drugs on internal organs.
There is an opinion that if natural honey is included in the daily diet, then the tone of the vessels of the brain improves, and the migraine passes. This statement is only partially true: honey does have healing properties, but if the migraine is caused by heart disease or osteochondrosis, bee products will be powerless.
There are biologically active additives based on honey that have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. They can reduce the symptoms of migraine. But you can’t buy them at the pharmacy; these are network marketing products.
Other ways to get rid of a headache
Treatment of migraine with pills is effective, but it is worth trying some simple physiological methods of therapy. Perhaps they will appeal to many patients:
- massage of the temples with your fingertips, alternating the pressure force;
- cold and hot shower;
- cervical collar massage;
- acupuncture;
- prolonged sleep;
- walks in the cool air.
These methods can act both independently and in conjunction with taking pills for migraines.
Doctors advice on preventing migraine attacks
No matter how harmless it may seem to take Citramon or Paracetamol, the following tips for the safe use of any tablets should be considered:
- you should never combine the use of medications with the use of alcoholic beverages;
- after taking the medicine, you should lie down and try to sleep, so the headache will recede faster;
- if after one drink, the effect does not occur, you can not immediately take the second (this will enhance the toxic effect of the medication);
- it is undesirable to prescribe medications for migraine on your own, their dosage and duration of the course of treatment should be agreed with your doctor.
Following these tips in conjunction with taking medications will certainly give a positive result.