Despite treatment, many patients find that their migraine attacks interfere with their daily activities. Studies show that sufferers often worry about when the next attack will occur. As a result they avoid every possible trigger-noise, secondhand smoke, stress, sunshine-and the headaches begin to dominate their lives. Patients may feel tense and anxious or become angry that the migraines are affecting their quality of life and frustrated that friends and family do not seem to understand their pain.

If that is the case, the best option is to focus on stopping attacks before they start. This might involve taking daily prescription medicine, which can significantly cut back on the number of migraines a person has. An added benefit is that patients may worry less about their next attack. About 40 percent of sufferers could benefit from preventive therapy, yet only one in five patients actually uses these medications. Two types of blood pressure-lowering medications are used to prevent migraines: propranolol (a beta-blocker) and verapamil (a calcium-channel blocker). Sometimes doctors use antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, and epilepsy drugs like valproate to prevent migraines. More recently, topiramate, a medication used to prevent seizures, has been approved to help prevent migraines. This drug is believed to work by calming overexcited brain cells implicated in migraines.

Reducing the frequency if your migraine attacks may be as simple as making a few lifestyle changes. Consider fighting them by first identifying your triggers. In order to do that, you should start writing down what you eat, smelled, or experienced before your last migraine. If you slept too little, or smoked, or drank red instead of white wine that you usually prefer, your migraine might be caused by such a simple lifestyle choice. Try not to skip meals and of course sleep the necessary time your body needs to recover and then keep a record of your choices. When a migraine attack comes you will at least know what is more likely to have triggered it. Thus, once you have identified your triggers, you can do your best to avoid them next time. In addition, you should reduce the stress factor by exercising frequently and following a balanced diet. Keeping a regular schedule will allow you to find the disturbances that trigger migraines.

Finally, remember that while migraines can mess with your life, they do not have to. Work with your doctor to come up with a prevention and treatment plan that is the best for your particular case and medical history.