Migraine

Alternative Names:

Headache - migraine

Prevention:

Avoid smoking, caffeine, and alcohol
Exercise regularly
Get enough sleep each night
Learn to relax and reduce stress -- try progressive muscle relaxation (contracting and releasing muscles throughout your body), meditation, biofeedback, or joining a support group

If you get at least three headaches per month, your doctor may prescribe medication for you to prevent recurrent migraines.

Such prescription drugs include:

Beta-blockers such as propranolol (Inderal)
Anti-depressants, including tricyclics like amitriptyline (Elavil) or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline (Zoloft)
Anti-convulsants such as valproic acid (Depacon, Depakene), divalproex sodium (Depakoate), or topiramate (Topamax)
Calcium channel blockers such as verapamil

References:

Morantz C. Practice Guideline Briefs. Am Fam Physician. Mar 2005; 71(5); 1019-899.

Schroeder BM . AAFP/ACP-ASIM release guidelines on the management and prevention of migraines. Am Fam Physician. Mar 2003; 67(6): 1392, 1395-7.

Noble J, ed. Textbook of Primary Care Medicine. 3rd ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby; 2001.

Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, eds. Rosen?s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 5th ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby; 2002.

Goetz CG, Pappert EJ. Textbook of Clinical Neurology. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders; 2003.