How to Get Rid of a Migraine Quickly

Minor headaches rarely interfere with daily life and they typically disappear within a couple hours. On the other hand, a migraine headache can produce throbbing pain, nausea, dizziness and vomiting that can last for several hours or days. Rather than live with severe migraine pain, consider ways to get rid of a migraine quickly.

Things You'll Need

• Medication

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Instructions

• 1

  Take headache medication. Select an over-the-counter medication purposed to treat migraine headaches. These medications include a pain reliever such as acetaminophen or aspirin and caffeine to help remedy migraine pain.

• 2

  Find a place to rest. Continuing your normal routine can worsen a migraine headache. To relieve throbbing and other symptoms, stop all activities and find a place to rest and lie down.

• 3

  Avoid light. Bright lights can aggravate a migraine headache. When looking for a place to lie down, choose a dark location. If a migraine strikes in the daytime, close your curtains or place a dark cover over your windows to block the sunlight.

• 4

  Keep noise to a minimum. Like bright lights and movement, loud sounds can slow your recovery. Turn off the television and radio, and rest in a quiet spot.

• 5

  Apply an ice pack to your forehead. Cold therapy helps alleviate migraine pain. Place a cold pack or cloth on your head for 10 minutes to reduce pain. Remove the compress, and then repeat every 10 minutes as needed.

• 6

  Take a prescription medication. If your suffer from chronic or frequent migraine headache, ask your doctor about prescription medications that provide fast relief. Beta blockers, anti-seizure meds and antidepressants can prevent and get rid of migraines.