Preventing Migraines

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - For the hundreds of thousands of Americans who suffer from migraine headaches there is definitely a great deal of suffering that goes beyond the actual headaches.

People with migraines often miss work or have to use vacation days to stay home sick dealing with the pain and problems. Not only that, there are many work days that are impaired because people go to work but have a difficult time functioning.

There are two ways to treat migraines.

The first is to deal with the actual headache. These are the medications given to help deal with the pain of the headache.

The other medications, which are prophylactic, are designed to help prevent the symptoms. These may be the most important because a preventive approach may actually help prevent pain and the inconvenience it occurs.

If you are suffering from headaches and simply just reacting to them, try and take control and hopefully prevent the symptoms.