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Treatment Of Migraines With Coexisting Medical Conditions |
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Coexisting medical conditions are multiple illnesses or
health conditions that can occur at the same time. These conditions may
be either or they may be independent from each other. One person with
migraine may suffer from depression, while another migraine sufferer may
have asthma. Both asthma and depression are coexisting conditions with
migraine
Diagnosing and acknowledging the
presence of migraine and coexisting conditions are important steps
toward developing a successful migraine management program. For the
migraine sufferer, it is important to realize that there are two or more
conditions that treatment and to work with the physician to develop a
plan that is compatible with your lifestyle. Diagnosing and
appropriately managing migraine and coexisting medical conditions are
also important because many health conditions can increase the frequency
or severity of migraine attacks. If you can gain control over the
coexisting condition, the migraine attacks may lessen in frequency or
severity. In addition, some medicine can treat both conditions at the
same time.
The particular characteristics coexisting conditions
obviously will have an effect on the specific treatment plan designed
for each migraine sufferer. Treating the headache and the coexisting
condition at the same time may reduce the amount of time you miss from
work and leisure activities. An individually designed headache treatment
plan should reduce the pain experienced during the migraine as well as
the disabilities associated with it, allowing the sufferer to return to
normalcy at a quicker pace.
Acute treatment allows the migraine
patient to be pain-free and able to return to normal functioning as
quickly as possible, without having the migraine attack return. Some
migraine sufferers require medication that will either prevents the
migraine from beginning or will reduce the recurrence and force of
attacks when they do occur. These medicines are used by patients who
experience either frequent or disabling migraines. Fortunately, these
medications are often beneficial for treatment of coexisting conditions.
The presence of coexisting conditions must be screened because some
migraine medications may not be appropriate for use in the presence of
certain coexisting conditions.
Here are a few steps to begin:
when launching a program:
Step 1: Learn about each condition.The
doctor and other health care providers should be able to answer
questions and explain what migraine is and how the various medications
can help.
Step 2: Follow the treatment plan that is agreed upon
by you and the physician.
Make sure that you understand
specifically what you should upon the onset of the next migraine.
Take
only those medications specifically prescribed by your doctor and in the
exact dosage prescribe. Never take more of a medicine that recommended.
Take
acute medications as soon as it becomes obvious that the headache is
really a migraine.
Keep your medications with you at all times.
If
prescribed preventive therapies, follow the treatment plan EXACTLY as
agreed upon. If the treatment plan is too hard to follow or is one you
do not like, tell your doctor.
Step 3: Monitor headaches.One
important part of migraine management is being able to recognize
improvement or deterioration in migraine. A headache calendar will help
identify headache patterns, triggers, and responses to treatments.
Step
4: Keep follow-up appointments.It is very important to make and keep all
follow-up appointments with your healthcare provider. This will allow
for modification of the treatment plan to make it most effective. It
will also allow your healthcare provider to monitor side effects.
Other
important tips to remember...
Use the medications as prescribed
by your doctor.
Acute medication may not work every time. Taking
medications early in the course of the attack will increase the chances
that the medication will work.
Learn when to use and how to use
prescribed rescue medications.
Preventive medication may take
weeks or months to show improvement.
Call the doctor if side
effects from medications occur.
Record headache activity on a
daily basis using a headache calendar.
Make and keep follow-up
appointments with the doctor.
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