Furthermore, it is critical to review lifestyle issues during the office visit. Sometimessimple modifications in lifestyle will dramatically improve the frequency and severity of migraines. For example, treatment of a coexisting condition alone may make migraine less frequent and less severe. And, treatment of migraine also could decrease the disability caused by coexisting conditions. The goal of acute treatment is to allow the migraine sufferer to be pain-free and to return to normal functioning as quickly as possible.
Some migraine sufferers require medication to prevent migraine from developing.
These medications are used by patients with relatively frequent or severely disabling migraines. Many of these medications also can be beneficial for treating coexisting conditions. The doctor must screen carefully for coexisting conditions because some migraine medications may not be appropriate to use in the presence of such conditions as heart disease, high blood pressure, depression, asthma, pregnancy, seizure disorder, or risk of stroke. Some patients may benefit from certain behavioral treatments and physical therapies. Behavioral treatments may include biofeedback training, relaxation training, stress- management training, and even hypnosis.