Rest in a quiet, darkened room. This will often reduce the severity of the symptoms. Drink fluids to prevent dehydration, especially if vomiting occurs.

Several medications may help relieve symptoms. However, the effectiveness of migraine medications is highly variable in different people. If a medication has been effective in relieving a previous migraine, it may be tried before others.

Over-the-counter medicines may help reduce pain if they are taken early in the headache. If these are ineffective, talk to your doctor about other options.

Ergotamine tartrate preparations constrict the arteries of the head and may be used alone or in combination with other drugs such as caffeine (Cafergot), phenobarbital, or Fioricet.

Propoxyphene or other medications that relieve pain or inflammation may provide relief for some people. Nausea should be treated early with Reglan, Compazine, or other anti-emetics.

Some medicines can prevent migraines. These include propranolol, amitriptyline, ergonovine, cyproheptadine, clonidine, methysergide, calcium channel antagonists, valproic acid, carbamazepine, topiramate (Topamax), and many others.

Several medications may need to be tried before you find one that works. A class of drugs known as triptans can relieve a migraine once it starts. Various triptans can be injected, taken as a pill, or dissolved under the tongue.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Common migraine does not indicate a life-threatening disorder. It usually is painful and annoying at the time it occurs. It may be chronic and recurrent, which can interfere with a person's lifestyle.

Rarely, severe migraine may result in a stroke, possibly due to prolonged constriction of blood vessels. Some people may have side effects of medications. A physician should choose the appropriate medications based on symptoms and other conditions.

Possible Complications

Frequent, recurrent attacks may interfere with lifestyle
Side effects of medications
Permanent neurologic impairments including stroke (rare)

When to Contact a Medical Professional

See your health care provider if symptoms of migraine are severe, persistent, or recurrent. Call if any other new symptoms develop or there is a change in the severity or pattern of symptoms.

Call your health care provider if previously effective treatments no longer are helpful, or if symptoms indicating side effects of medications occur, including irregular heartbeat, pale or blue skin color, extreme sleepiness or sedation, persistent cough, depression, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain or cramps, dry mouth, extreme thirst, or others.

Also, call if you are taking an ergotamine-containing medication, and you are likely to become pregnant (these medications should not be taken when pregnant).

Prevention

Try to avoid any factors that have triggered a migraine in the past. Some people may benefit from medications that help prevent migraine attacks.

Drugs are usually the initial treatment for migraine attacks but there are other migraine therapy that you may want to use to decrease the frequency of attacks and the severity of each migraine attack.

Here are some migraine therapies available:

Biofeedback - this is a method of relaxation to control a body function which is not normally control consciously
Acupuncture - this is done by putting thin needles in the skin at various meridian points in the body.
Relaxation techniques like meditation to alleviate tension and stress
You may try using herbal medicines like feverfew, butterbur and Ayurvedic.

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.