How to Fight Migraines:
Treatment and Prevention

Saturday plans are ruined in a minute: a zigzag flickers before your eyes, half an hour later your temple starts pounding, and suddenly every sound and light becomes irritating. People with migraines usually know this scenario by heart and are used to simply waiting it out in a dark room. But you don’t have to endure it. Doctors have ways not only to relieve attacks but also to make them less frequent and easier, and much depends on the patient’s daily habits. You can learn how neurologists in Ryazan select migraine treatment here .

First, make sure it’s a migraine.

In everyday life, the term "migraine" often refers to any severe headache. However, tension headaches, drug-induced headaches, and migraines are treated differently. Therefore, treatment begins with a visit to a neurologist, who will confirm the diagnosis and rule out other causes based on information and an examination.

A diary is a reliable aid at this stage. It records the date and time of the attack, its duration, pain intensity on a scale of 0 to 10, accompanying symptoms, possible triggers, and the medications needed. After a month or two, such records reveal a picture that is difficult to reconstruct from memory.

How to relieve an attack

The main rule is not to wait until the pain has gotten worse. A medication taken within the first hour is usually more effective than a pill taken at the peak of an attack, when nausea slows absorption. A doctor decides which medication is best for a particular person: for mild attacks, regular painkillers are sometimes sufficient, while for more severe ones, specialized anti-migraine medications are prescribed. If an attack is almost always accompanied by vomiting and a pill simply doesn’t have time to take effect, the doctor may prescribe other forms of medication.

Simple measures also help:

• lie down in a quiet, darkened room and, if possible, sleep - sleep often interrupts the attack;
• apply a cold compress to your forehead or temples;
• drink water in small sips, unless you are experiencing severe nausea;
• Put down your phone screen : bright light and small text make the pain worse.

A particular pitfall is taking pills too frequently. If painkillers are needed more than 10-15 days a month, medication-induced headaches can develop over time, and attacks only become more frequent. This is a sign to discuss preventative measures with your doctor.

Triggers: Find Yours

Everyone has their own set of triggers, and a diary helps identify them. Most often, migraines are triggered by:

• irregular sleep - both lack of sleep and an attempt to sleep off until lunch on the weekend;
• skipped breakfast or a long break between meals;
• alcohol, especially red wine;
• stress and, oddly enough, relaxation after it - hence the “weekend migraine”;
• certain days of the menstrual cycle;
• flickering light, strong smells, stuffiness.

There’s no need to avoid everything. Strict restrictions are stressful in themselves, so it’s smarter to eliminate two or three factors that actually work for you.

Habits that reduce the frequency of attacks

Migraines thrive on predictability. Going to bed and waking up at the same time, including on weekends, eating regularly, and drinking enough water — these tips sound boring, but for many, they significantly reduce the number of episodes. Coffee should be consumed in moderation and without sudden interruptions: caffeine withdrawal can actually trigger pain.

Regular aerobic exercise — such as brisk walking, swimming, or cycling — has been shown to help reduce the frequency of attacks. It’s best to start gradually, as sudden, intense exercise can trigger migraines in some people. Stress management techniques, such as breathing techniques, cognitive behavioral therapy, and biofeedback, are also helpful.

Preventive treatment

If attacks occur several times a month, are severe, or are not effectively controlled with medication, a neurologist may suggest prophylaxis. This involves a daily course of medications from various groups, selected based on blood pressure, weight, comorbidities, and pregnancy plans. Doctors now have newer options — medications that target the CGRP protein, which is involved in the development of migraine pain. Injectable methods are also used for chronic migraines.

The effectiveness of preventative measures is assessed no sooner than after two to three months. The goal is to reduce the frequency and severity of attacks, although they do not always disappear completely.

Women with migraine aura should definitely discuss this with their gynecologist when choosing contraception: some hormonal medications are not recommended in this case. It’s also best to plan a pregnancy with a neurologist. Many women experience fewer attacks during pregnancy, but the range of medications available during this period is significantly reduced, and the treatment regimen is usually reviewed in advance.