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 be prescribed 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 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.