Can Painkillers Help Alleviate Migraine Headache Pain?

Migraine headaches are extremely painful to the point that it becomes difficult for the patient to function properly. Those plagued by migraine headaches feel a mental crunch of sorts that makes it nearly impossible to concentrate, work and live a normal life. However, those who are plagued by migraine headaches do not experience more stress than those who do not experience migraines. Furthermore, painkillers are not always effective in reducing migraine pain.

Migraines and stress

There is a common misconception those who suffer from migraine headaches are more stressed than those who do not suffer from these headaches. Every single human being experiences stress and this type of stressful feeling is entirely natural and unavoidable. Those suffering from underlying medical problems ranging from rheumatoid arthritis to heart disease often find migraine headaches exacerbate the condition.

Stress also impacts those who do not experience migraine headaches. The feelings of stress and the anxiety it brings can make people overeat, lose their temper and struggle to enjoy a restful sleep. The bottom line is those with migraines are just as good at managing stress as perfectly healthy people. However, migraines sometimes serve as the body’s response to the underlying tensions of everyday living. In fact, some migraine headache sufferers are quick to state stress is not a migraine trigger.

Migraines should not be strictly treated with painkillers

Painkillers have a vital role to play yet they are not the solution to migraine headaches. Prescription painkillers and over-the-counter painkillers help alleviate the pain of migraine headaches, yet they do not work for every single patient. These painkillers have the potential to decrease pain. However, painkillers do not entirely block out a migraine headache. Some patients have found the addition of caffeine to painkillers improves effectiveness. Others are adamant the addition of caffeine to painkillers has the potential to spur even more migraine headaches.

Why migraines are such a problem

Migraine headache pain is influential to the point that they can prevent a person from working, concentrating, exercising or even sleeping. Thinking, speaking and reading are quite difficult amidst a migraine headache. Furthermore, migraine headaches impair the patient’s decision-making ability to boot.

Anyone who has been around a migraine sufferer knows these headaches cause extreme irritability. In some cases, migraine headaches make it impossible to hold a conversation. The pain and general malaise stemming from migraines result from the neurological activity within the brain. If the pain decreases, it will still take some time for the patient’s mental clarity and cognition to return to normal.

Contact our office to learn more about migraine headaches and treatment options

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Robert B. Shelton, DDS MAGD, request an appointment in our Longview office here: https://www.sheltondentistry.com. Or call us at (903) 757-6243.

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