The use of oral contraceptives or menopausal hormones is also linked to migraines. Avoidance of triggering factors and effective stress management is the first line of defense for migraine sufferers. Occasional or milder attacks may be managed with rest or ice packs, but migraine sufferers typically require prescription medication for effective relief. Some of these are administered during an attack, while others are taken on a regular basis to decrease or prevent the occurrence of migraines. Biofeedback may also be helpful.
Attacks occur daily in clusters of weeks or months, then disappear completely for months or years.
These may occur in patients whose persistent headache pain causes them to overuse headache medication. This may cause symptoms to worsen instead of improve. See your doctor if you are taking maximum recommended doses without relief. These are relatively uncommon, contrary to television commercials. Most people who think they have sinus headaches actually suffer from tension headaches or migraines.