Migraine

Prevention

Taking the necessary preventative measures is an important part of managing the onset of a migraine attack. Attacks can be prevented using a combination of lifestyle adjustments and drug treatments.

Certain factors initiate migraine attacks in people with migraine; these triggers do not cause migraine, they provoke an attack. Avoidance of triggers, once identified, reduces the risk of an attack. Migraine triggers can be identified by keeping a record of food and drink consumption together with the onset of attacks.

Individuals who experience frequent, disabling attacks can take a preventative treatment to reduce the frequency of attacks. Drug treatments that can prevent attacks include:

• beta blockers – these drugs are thought to have an effect on the cerebral vasculature to prevent migraine attacks, although their precise mechanism of action is unclear
  

• serotonin antagonists – help to prevent attacks by stopping the blood vessels in the brain from swelling.
  

Measures can also be taken to increase resistance to migraine attacks. These include: regular sleep patterns, healthy diet and regular exercise.

Last updated: 20.12.2011