For example, the diary may reveal that your headaches tend to occur more often on days when you awaken earlier than usual. Changing your sleep schedule may then result in fewer migraine attacks.

Some birth control pills and other medications may trigger headaches. Your health care provider should address questions regarding their use.

Even in the absence of a clear factor that triggers migraine attacks, try to keep a regular exercise and sleep schedule. Avoid smoking, caffeine, and alcohol. Some patients have found biofeedback and self-hypnosis to be effective at reducing the frequency of migraine attacks.

Preventing Migraines

Many medications can reduce the frequency of migraines. Generally, these need to be taken daily in order to be effective. These medications are less useful and tolerable to patients with infrequent headaches. Medications in this category include:

Beta-blockers such as propanolol
Anti-depressants such as amitriptyline
Anti-convulsants such as valproic acid and topiramate
Calcium-channel blockers such as verapamil
Serotonin re-uptake inhibitors such as venlafaxine

Stopping an Attack

Other medications are taken when there is the first sign of an impending migraine attack. In the case of migraine with aura, this is typically when the visual disturbances are first noted. These medications can effectively stop the migraine in its tracks, preventing the progression to other migraine symptoms or reducing the severity of the attack.

Many of these medications cause constriction of blood vessels and cannot be given to patients at risk of heart attack or other conditions. These medications include:

Ergots such as DHE-45
Serotonin agonists / triptans such as sumatriptan
Isometheptene

These medications come in various preparations to enable administration via different routes. For example, patients who have vomiting and cannot keep pills down may benefit from a nasal spray or injection.

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you are taking an ergotamine-containing medication and you are likely to become pregnant. Such medications can have serious side effects to an unborn baby.

Treating Symptoms

Other medications are primarily given to treat the symptoms of migraine. Used alone or in combinations, these drugs can minimize pain, nausea, or emotional distress caused by the migraine. Some of these medications may also have some effect on the underlying process in addition to providing symptomatic relief. Medications in this group include:

Anti-emetics such as prochlorperazine
Sedatives such as butalbital
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Narcotic pain relievers such as meperidine

There are some migraine remedies that can help you in handling your migraine attack.

Rest - stop everything what you are doing when you feel the onset of migraine attack. Continuous strenuous activity may worsen your migraine attack.
Develop a regular sleeping habit. It will be better if you sleep in a dark quiet room.
Avoid trigger foods like cheese, alcohol, red wine, preserved foods, MSG and chocolates
You may try using herbal medicines like feverfew, butterbur and Ayurvedic for migraine remedies.

Feverfew or Tanacetum parthenium is traditionally used to regularize menstruation cycle. During the study in 1980's, individuals who take feverfew had fewer headaches.

Butterbur or petasite hybridus is an herb that is common in Asia and Europe. According to medical studies, this has the ability to decrease the frequency of migraine attacks.

Ayurvedic herbs are used to stabilize the nervous system. These herbs can increase your body's mechanism to cope with stress.