.: Migraine Headaches
Category:Home / Health / Medicine
Nearly 30 million Americans suffer from migraine headaches. Migraines occur more commonly in women than in men and typically occur in people aged 15 to 55 years.
A recent study of 171 migraine sufferers, published in the journal Headache, suggests that over-the-counter Excedrin Migraine works better the prescription Imitrex (sumatriptan) for treating migraines. The patients who took the Excedrin Migraine at the onset of a headache experienced less pain after four hours than those who took Imitrex.
This result is probably true for some patients but not all. Excedrin Migraine contains acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine. The problem with continual use of this combination is that it often leads to rebound headaches. You should also not take more than two tablets per day and no more than twice per week. This greatly reduces your chances of rebound headaches. If you are experiencing more than two migraines a week, you will need a prescription medication.
Another study found that taking an NSAID, like naproxen, with Imitrex (sumatriptan) works much better than taking either medication alone for migraine headaches. The researchers concluded that the best combination is 50mg of Imitrex (sumatriptan) combined with 500mg of naproxen.
Imitrex (sumatriptan) is in a class of medications called triptans. There are seven triptans currently available in the United States. They are Imitrex (sumatriptan), Maxalt (rizatriptan), Zomig (zolmitriptan), Amerge (naratriptan), Frova (frovatriptan), Relpax (eletriptan), and Axert (almotriptan). Triptans are used only for migraine treatment because they are effective only at relieving the pain caused by migraines. They are slightly useful for some other headache types but not for all headache pain or for any other type of pain.
The current guidelines for migraine headaches state that NSAIDS are first line therapy. That means they should be used first. If someone is allergic, or the NSAIDS do not work, then the triptans are the drugs of choice.
Patients who suffer from migraine headaches should have a treatment plan in the event they get a migraine. This plan should include both preventive medication and medications to stop the migraine. The first line medications, NSAIDs and triptans, are the primary choices.
This study suggests that the NSAID combination of acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine is more effective than oral sumatriptan at relieving migraine headache pain, when taken at the onset. More studies should be conducted to confirm these results since patients with headaches that cause vomiting or require the patient to lie down were not studied. This study did confirm that both the combination of acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine and triptans appear to be effective first-line therapies for patients with migraine headaches.
I would recommend using a store or generic brand headache medication containing 250mg of acetaminophen, 250mg of aspirin, and 65mg caffeine first, for mild migraines. This combination costs about 4¢ per pill. If this is ineffective, or the migraine is severe, move up to the triptans. They are expensive at about $17.00 per pill. Anyone with a migraine will tell you that cost is not a consideration when it comes to migraine relief.
Article keywords: migraine headache imitrex naproxen pain acetaminophen aspirin triptans
Article Source: http://www.articles32.com
Dr. West Conner is the author of the incredibly popular workbook “How To Save Money On Your Prescription Drugs” and the audio CD “Are You Spending Too Much On Your Prescriptions?” He is currently active in assisting clients who are having difficulty affording their prescription drugs. Through his many years of practice, Dr. Conner has developed a number of unique and creative ways to lower prescription costs. Visit www.rxcostcutters.com for more details.
.: New Medicine Articles
1). Boston Hospitals Provide Specialized Care
When looking at Boston Hospitals know what services they provide. Get better care when you choose the right hospital.
2). How Our Ancestors Introduced Herbal Remedies to the Modern World
Without herbal medicine, modern medicine would not be in the advanced stage that it is. Our species has relied on plants for thousands of years - not only for nutrition, but to ease ailments that develop within our minds and bodies.
3). Taking Care Of Acne Prone Skin With Proper Skin Care Products
There are actually medicines that can be applied to treat acne but before putting them on your face, you need to first consult a doctor to find out the regimen that will fit your condition and your skin type. Here are some tips on how to take care of acne prone skin.
4). Fighting Gum Disease
More than 75 percent of Americans over 35 have some form of gum disease. What is gum disease? The term gum disease or periodontal disease, describes bacterial growth and production of factors that gradually destroy the tissue surrounding and supporting the teeth.
5). Cosmetic Surgery Financing: How Can You Get It?
Plastic or cosmetic surgery financing makes procedures affordable to those who might otherwise not consider surgery an option.
6). Dealing With The Fear Of Vaccination In Children
Vaccinations protect people against catching viral infections that can devastate a family, and doctors recommend a schedule of immunization for all children.
7). Studies on the Goji Berry
Goji research began with some simple vitamin, mineral and nutrient analysis, expecting to find results similar to other fruits. The Goji Berry Fruit revealed itself to be quite possibly the most unique nutritionally dense food on earth!
.: Top Medicine Articles
1). Diabeticine And Diamaxol: The FDA And Diabetes Medication
You might be wondering about Diabeticine, which has recently changed its name to Diamaxol. Diabeticine claimed to cure “99 % of type II diabetes, and 64% of type I diabetes.” It was approved as a supplement by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Diabeticine, however, claimed to target the root of diabetes. Diabeticine claimed that it was a hypoglycemic agent.
2). Effective Alternatives for Antibiotics in the Treatment of Strep Throat
Strep throat is an illness that commonly accompanies flu or cold. Although it commonly affects children, strep throat can occur at any age. Unlike sore throat, an ailment caused by infection with viral agents, strep throat is caused by infection with group A streptococcus bacteria. These bacteria are very contagious and they can be easily acquired by entering in contact with infected people.
3). New Types of Antibiotics in the Treatment of Strep Throat
Strep throat is inflammation and swelling of the throat, tonsils and lymph nodes due to infection with group A streptococcus bacteria. Strep throat is very contagious and the bacteria responsible for causing the illness can be easily acquired by entering in contact with contaminated people. Streptococcus bacteria are airborne and they can be transmitted through droplets of mucus produced by cough or sneezing.
4). How To Reduce Foot Pain
Metatarsal stress fractures or a bone spur can cause pain at the top of the foot. A bone spur is an enlarged bone that looks like a bump on top of the foot. The bone spur is likely the result of too much pressure or too tight shoes.
The most common remedy for bone spurs involves wearing a larger size shoe and not tying shoelaces quite so tight so that you take some of the pressure off the bone.
5). Miracle Glue And Wound Closure!
Have you ever heard of gluing a cut together? The first time I heard about this I was somewhat shocked. I was selling a product called Miracle Glue at trade shows. I had people telling all the outrageous stories possible about the origins of cyanoacrylates (superglue) - Miracle Glue is in the same category. The prevailing story was that superglue had been invented in the Vietnam era for soldiers.
6). Treating Acne, Scars, And Wrinkles With A Tca Trichloroacetic Acid Skin Peel
Everyone has heard of skin peels and there are many - lactic, glycolic, salicylic, TCA (trichloroacetic acid), and phenol. Of these there are basically 3 levels:
Minor, superficial peels - lactic, glycolic, salicylic.
Medium depth peels - TCA, Jessner's
Deep peels - phenol.
We will only deal with medium strength TCA peels here as they are the easiest to apply (Jessner's can require multiple concurrent applications and taping to aide in skin penetration), safest, and, by far, the most effective against numerous skin ailments/conditions.
7). Bird Flu – Answers to 10 Important Questions
Find out the answers to the 10 most frequently asked questions about bird flu.