To the many individuals across the country affected by migraines, the drugs available to treat migraines can seem like the best invention since sliced bread. The fleeting relief they provide can be enough for migraine sufferers to fall in love with them. However, this love affair with drugs for the treatment of migraines can become sinister when the drugs either stop working or start piling on side-effects to the user. These can result in symptoms far worse than a simple migraine. What is someone affected by migraines regularly supposed to do? Suffer endlessly or subject their body to harmful medications? If only there was a safer alternative to treat migraines...

Thankfully there is! Keep reading to find out the drawbacks of common migraine medications and a natural alternative that’s having success in treating migraines at the source.

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OTC Drugs and Migraine Medications

People with milder migraines may believe OTC drugs are the safest and best option for the treatment of their migraine symptoms. Not only because they are available at a large number of retailers but because of their availability without a prescription.

The two most widely available medications for the treatment of migraines are:

• Acetaminophen
• Ibuprofen

Acetaminophen works by blocking the nervous system from registering pain. However, the problem arises when it is used long-term and more regularly than intended. This can result in migraine sufferers dealing with more than they bargained for, including organ damage!

Ibuprofen, on the other hand, can provide fleeting relief as well if you keep dosing yourself regularly. However, that does come with a cost. The side effects of ibuprofen are just as serious as with acetaminophen and include digestive organ damage and a decreased ability to form blood clots. In a few cases, ibuprofen has even resulted in death.

OTC drugs should be taken just as seriously as their prescription counterparts. Perhaps even more so due to their availability without a prescription. Their widespread use has caused a prevailing mentality that they are harmless and has led to increased instances of self-medication.

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Preventative Migraine Drugs

Some prescription migraine medications are classified as “preventative”. This means that they are purported to stop migraines from even occurring. However, their success with this claim is spotty at best.

The medications to watch out for include:

Antidepressants:
These drugs are sometimes used as a last-ditch effort for the treatment of serious migraines. It is no wonder that they have a long list of side effects including suicidal thoughts and organ damage. After all, they are intended for the treatment of depression, not migraines.

Beta-blockers:
Another common “treatment” for migraines are drugs containing beta-blockers. Again this is a drug not being used in its originally intended manner. Beta-blockers were formulated for the treatment of increased blood pressure. A few of the side-effects of using them as migraine “stoppers” include vertigo, inflammation, heart arrhythmia, and anxiety to name a few.

Anticonvulsants:
Continuing the theme of drugs being used outside of their intended domain are anticonvulsants. Anticonvulsants, as many people know are used for the treatment of seizures. Since not much is known about how they stop migraines in the few cases they do work, side-effects are not uncommon. These can include vertigo, weight loss, mood swings, and fatigue for starters.

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Abortive Migraine Drugs

These prescription drugs for migraines supposedly can stop migraines that have already begun. A few of the more commonly available on the market are:

Opiates - This medication is often used as a last ditch effort because it has a tendency to cause the user to become seriously addicted. That alone should be reason enough to steer people towards other options.

Ergots - These drugs aim to stop migraines by decreasing the size of the blood passageways in your body. However, this can have serious secondary effects such as heart arrhythmias, cramps, and vertigo.

Triptans - Triptans are yet another unsavory drug that claims to stop migraines in their tracks. The mechanism by which they operate is altering the brain’s neurotransmitters to not experience pain. However, this can seriously damage the brain and lead to serious side effects including heart problems and hallucinations.

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Where Do You Turn?

After reading about the many migraine medications available on the market and their dangerous side-effects, it can feel like there’s no place to turn. The secondary effects that can be caused by the drugs mentioned above can make it seem like the only options are to suffer from migraines forever or succumb to the nasty side the drugs inflict on you.

If you are tired of dealing with migraines or with drugs that just hurt more than they help, you may be interested in a safer alternative. Thankfully, there is a treatment for migraines that is natural and effective that does not require taking any medications!

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Avoid Migraine Medications with Chiropractic Care

Migraines have always been one of the most common reasons why people go see a chiropractor. This is because chiropractic has proven itself to be effective in solving the problem at the source. Chiropractors are not interested in a temporary solution, they are interested in healing you. The science is clear - regular chiropractic care prevents and treats every kind of migraine.

Chiropractors will never give you a pill to stop your migraines. Instead, they will rely on their expertise to adjust your spinal column. When your spine is aligned, your body is able to better facilitate healing. This occurs due to roadblocks being removed from your nervous system.

A misalignment of any degree is enough to throw your body out of balance, this leads to a breakdown in communication between your nervous system and your brain. The migraines are simply your body letting you know it is under pressure and needs help. Luckily, chiropractors are able to solve the problem through safe, natural adjustments to your spine.

If you think that chiropractic care is a better treatment option for your migraines than medication alone, contact one of our Top Rated Chiropractors today. It is possible to treat your migraines without medication, so start your journey to relief today!