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Discover personalized online migraine treatment that targets your pain. With quick and affordable treatment online, a licensed and compassionate provider on Klarity Health will help you take charge of your migraines and find the relief you deserve.
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Your provider will discuss treatment options with you, which may or may not include medication.
Migraines are more than just headaches. They significantly disrupt your daily routine.
It’s common for people to experience a range of symptoms when it comes to migraines, including:
– Intense headaches
– Nausea and vomiting
– Sensitivity to light, noise, and smells
– Mood changes
– Fatigue
Migraines are divided into 2 main types, those with and those without aura.
An aura is sensory changes before or during a migraine. A migraine with aura has symptoms, such as changes in vision, tingling sensations, and difficulty speaking, that tend to fade away after the migraine passes.
In contrast, a migraine without aura is the most common type, where individuals experience headaches without any warning signs beforehand.
Other types of migraines include migraines in children, chronic migraines, menstrual migraines, hemiplegic migraines, and retinal migraines.
While each type of migraine has unique triggers, all migraines typically share the same set of characteristic symptoms. Although, not everyone experiences symptoms in the same way.
Children or individuals who can’t express themselves verbally may struggle to communicate their symptoms. Watch for signs of withdrawal from activities they typically enjoy, such as watching TV, as they may prefer quieter pursuits like resting in a dark room when having a migraine.
When it comes to diagnosing migraines, healthcare providers start by gathering information about your medical history and any family history of health issues. They may ask questions like:
– Can you describe the feeling and location of your headache?
– How severe are your symptoms?
– How long do your symptoms last?
– Does anything improve or worsen your symptoms?
Because there are no specific diagnostic tests used to diagnose migraines, keeping a medical journal of your symptoms may help you more easily track them over time and give you good information to share with a provider.
Your medical provider will help determine the best migraine treatment based on the specific cause or type of migraine you experience. Migraine treatment focuses on identifying and reducing triggers.
Medications can be prescribed to treat migraines by preventing attacks or stopping them once they begin.
In addition to pharmacological treatment options, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), biofeedback, and acupuncture are shown to be effective in treating or preventing migraines for some people.
In terms of treating migraines with medication, there are 2 main approaches: medications that stop migraines and medications that prevent migraines from happening.
Preventative migraine medications
Drugs to stop migraines are often prescribed for people who have frequent and severe migraines that disrupt their daily lives. The goal of these medications is to reduce both the frequency and intensity of migraine symptoms and help you maintain your daily activities.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved 8 medications to help prevent migraines:
– 2 beta-blockers, timolol and Inderal LA (propranolol)
– 2 antiseizure medications, valproic acid and topiramate
– 6 calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) inhibitors:
◦ Aimovig (erenumab-aooe)
◦ Ajovy (fremanezumab-vfrm)
◦ Emgality (galcanezumab-gnlm)
◦ Vyepti (eptinezumab-jjmr)
◦ Nurtec ODT (rimegepant)
◦ Qulipta (atogepant)
Side effects of these medications can include dizziness, weight changes, and nausea.
Medications to stop a migraine
Curative medications are taken at the onset of a migraine to stop or reduce symptoms. They can effectively provide relief when taken early during a migraine attack. They can help alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life.
FDA-approved medications to stop migraines once they’ve started include:
Side effects of these drugs can include dizziness, drowsiness, and muscle weakness. Reyvow is a controlled substance that may lead to abuse.
Additionally, some migraine sufferers may benefit from over-the-counter acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to treat symptoms, like pain and discomfort.
Online migraine doctors and healthcare providers include medical doctors (MDs), nurse practitioners (NPs), and physician assistants/associates (PAs). MDs, NPs, and PAs can work with you on a diagnosis if needed and create a tailored migraine treatment plan. They can also prescribe migraine medication if it’s a medically necessary part of your treatment plan.
Migraine providers specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of migraine. While any qualified healthcare provider can diagnose migraine and prescribe medication, a migraine provider can perform a more in-depth evaluation. They’re often more knowledgeable about treatment options as well.
You can search marketplace services, like Klarity Health, to find a licensed online migraine doctor or healthcare provider for medication and/or therapy.
Providers on Klarity Health are licensed, board-certified, and offer a personalized approach to your unique online migraine treatment needs. See detailed profiles for each provider and find an approach that’s best for you. (Costs for treatment options may vary.)
Treating migraines starts with an initial consultation. Your provider will work with you on a diagnosis if needed and recommend the right treatment approach that may or may not include prescription medication and/or lifestyle changes.
Your initial treatment consultation is just the beginning. You and your provider will follow up to make sure you’re doing okay and are reaching your goals. You stay on track with ongoing support from your provider(s) and medication refills if needed.
If you have questions or need assistance, the friendly Klarity Health Patient Support team is there to help. Along with your provider, they’re committed to making sure you have the best care and support throughout treatment.
Reviews from real patients who received care from providers on Klarity Health.
*Appointments are generally available within 24 hours. Free initial consultations are available only with select providers. Prescriptions, particularly for controlled substances, may require an in-person evaluation depending on the state of residence and current federal regulations.
The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Controlled substances like Reyvow may not be appropriate for all patients and any mention of these medications is for educational purposes only, not for marketing or encouraging self-diagnosis. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health. Providers on Klarity Health are independent practitioners with clinical autonomy. Nothing in this article is intended to diagnose or treat any condition, including guaranteeing prescription medication of any kind or dosage. Not all providers on Klarity Health prescribe all medications, particularly medications that are controlled substances.
If you’re having a mental health crisis or experiencing a psychiatric emergency, it’s crucial to seek immediate help from a mental healthcare professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist. You can also call your local emergency services, visit your nearest emergency room, or contact a crisis hotline, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, by calling or texting 988 or dialing the Lifeline’s previous phone number, 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) in the U.S.