Migraine Headache -Treatment and Medication

Treatment
Prehospital Care

Patients should be transported in a way that minimizes visual and auditory stimulation. Most patients should not receive opiate analgesics until a thorough neurologic examination can be completed by the responsible physician.
Emergency Department Care

* While the emergency physician must be able to identify patients with serious headache etiology, note that more than 90% of patients in the ED have migraine, tension, or mixed-type benign headache. Therefore, providing symptomatic relief should be a priority.
* Migraine-specific medications and analgesia are the keys of ED care.
* Rest in a darkened, quiet room is helpful.
* Some patients find cool compresses to painful areas helpful.

Consultations

Neurologic consultation may be required in complex cases, though referral to a primary care provider often is sufficient.
Medication

The goals of pharmacotherapy are to prevent attacks or alter the migraine attack once it is underway. Specifically, this is done by reducing the severity and the duration of the attack. Preventive therapy encompasses these same objectives and decreases the frequency of attacks, improves responsiveness to treatment, and improves function while decreasing disability.

Acupressure Points & Techniques - Acupressure Points for Migraine Headaches