For migraine sufferers, prompt treatment can often make all the difference and keep the pain from becoming severe.1 Here are a few tips to help you understand when it’s advisable to take medication.
Three common early predictor symptoms which may indicate an approaching migraine are fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and a stiff neck.2
Other signs of an approaching migraine can also include:1,3,4
Over-the-counter medications can be useful for migraine pain relief.1,3 If pain relief is insufficient your doctor may prescribe medication.5
However, frequent use of some over-the-counter medicines has the potential to cause a rebound effect known as “chronic daily headache” or “medicine overuse headache,”.1,3 If you, or a family member are taking analgesics for three or more days a week, talk to your doctor.3
Taking over-the-counter pain relievers too late – after a migraine attack has already presented itself as pain – can also decrease their effectiveness.1 During a migraine, the digestive system slows down, which can reduce the speed or efficiency of how the drug is absorbed by the body.1,5
It can help to take these medications dissolved in a liquid,5 and learn to recognise the early warning signs. This will allow you to act quickly, and to maximise the effectiveness of the medication.5
Other things that may help when migraine symptoms start include lying down in a dark, quiet room and avoiding movement or activity.1,3 Some sufferers may also find that placing a cold handtowel on the forehead can help.1
