What to Do for an Extreme Migraine

According to the National Headache Foundation, an estimated 28-million Americans suffer from migraines. A family history of migraines is involved in 70 to 80 percent of sufferers.

Extensive research has been conducted on migraines, but we still have no definitive answer to the question of what to do for an extreme migraine.

Definition of “Extreme Migraine”

An extreme migraine may be your way of saying a really bad migraine. On the other hand, extreme migraine is often caused by the occipital nerves. When these nerves are constricted in an unusually tight space by pressure from surrounding muscles and tissues, they send extreme pain signals to the brain. Over time, the constriction leads to nerve damage. The damage may be felt as an unbearable pressure. Extreme migraines of this nature are called occipital neuralgia.

See a Headache Specialist

Before suggesting what to do for an extreme migraine at home, we recommend that you see a professional, recommended headache specialist. He or she will want to rule out the possibility of underlying disease. If occipital neuralgia is found, your specialist may advise a possible microsurgery procedure that can relieve extreme migraine pain.

Any suggestions herein are to be taken strictly on an as-is basis. We are not physicians, and are simply sharing our research with you.

Botox for Extreme Migraine Pain

For many years, Botox injections have been used to relieve extreme migraine pain. Although the USFDA has yet to approve Botox for extreme Migraine Relief, many doctors and headache clinics are using it with a high degree of success.

The Botox used for extreme migraine is the same as the Botox used for wrinkle treatment. The injections relax muscle areas where there is too much tension.

Good results may be obtained after a single injection of Botox, which can take only minutes. Typically, the sufferer of extreme migraine is pain free for up to 4 months. Many establish a regular appointment and find this controls extreme migraine satisfactorily.

Extreme Migraines upon Awakening

If you wake up with an extreme migraine, you may have low blood sugar levels. This can result when you eat early in the evening, and then have nothing until breakfast 12-14 hours later.

Try having a snack just before going to bed. A bowl of cereal or a few crackers with milk may be just what you need.

Extreme Migraines from Sleeping Positions and Patterns

Your sleeping position can also produce extreme migraines. The type of pillow you use, and the ways you use it are important. Some pillows are made specifically to relieve tension on nerves in the neck and head. Some are specifically designed for migraine sufferers.

Your “trigger” factor may be inconsistency in the times you go to bed and awaken. You may be getting too little sleep, too. Sufferers of extreme migraines should make every effort to establish and maintain regular sleeping habits.

Extreme Migraine Diary

Finally, keep a diary of daily activities, recording in it everything you do, eat, or drink. This can often be the key to finding relief. If the same activities, foods, or drink precede every extreme migraine you suffer, you can gain relief by learning to avoid those “trigger” activities or substances.