You've probably ridden the migraine train many times. Perhaps you see an aura - a jagged line or crescent of flickering light - that acts like a warning whistle of the approaching headache. Like an old-fashioned steam locomotive chugging along, the pain builds slowly, but steadily. Bright light stabs your eyes. You may feel nauseated or even vomit. All you can think about is lying down in a dark, quiet room where you can ride it out.



While scientists still debate the exact mechanisms in the brain that cause migraines, they've made great strides in finding new treatments to derail the migraine train. Some of these treatments are older medications originally designed for ailments other than migraines. Some medicines are used as soon as the migraine begins, while others are taken daily to help prevent migraines.

This guide will help you weigh the pros and cons of a variety of treatments, to help you determine the best course of action for you and your migraines.

Treatment Options -

Although there's much you can do to help prevent migraines - such as avoid triggers, exercise regularly and keep stress under control - most people who live with migraines also need medication.

Fortunately, medication options for migraines have expanded greatly in the last decade - giving you more choices than ever for keeping migraine disruption to a minimum. Some of these drugs were originally designed to treat other conditions, such as epilepsy or hypertension.

Migraine medications can be divided into two broad categories of treatment:

Acute, to be taken only when you have a migraine

Preventive, to be taken every day to ward off migraines

Various nontraditional and emerging therapies may be helpful in some cases, too.