What You Should Know About Headaches And Migraines

Over 38 million Americans suffer with migraine headaches.

Over 38 million Americans suffer from migraines — three times more common in women than men, often running in families, and capable of striking at almost any stage of life.

A migraine isn't just a bad headache. It can bring severe throbbing pain (usually on one side of the head), nausea, vomiting, and intense sensitivity to light and sound. Attacks can last anywhere from four hours to three days. Some people experience aura beforehand — visual disturbances, blind spots, tingling on one side of the face or body, or difficulty speaking. Afterward, most people feel drained and foggy for the rest of the day.

Conventional Treatments

There's no cure for migraines, but treatments can reduce frequency and severity.

Acute options include NSAIDs like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and triptan drugs such as sumatriptan. For frequent migraines, doctors often prescribe preventive medications — beta blockers, tricyclic antidepressants, or anticonvulsants like Topamax.

These medications can work, but the side effect profiles are significant. NSAIDs are linked to gastric bleeding and elevated blood pressure. Triptans can cause dizziness, nausea, muscle weakness, and chest tightness. Beta blockers come with a long list of potential effects including fatigue, depression, impotence, and — somewhat ironically — headaches. Topamax is associated with memory impairment, confusion, mood changes, and cognitive dulling.

Common Triggers

While the root cause of migraines isn't fully understood, attacks are almost always triggered by a combination of factors:

Three Frequently Overlooked Root Causes

Beyond common triggers, three underlying conditions are often missed:

Natural Approaches Worth Considering

Several non-pharmaceutical approaches have shown meaningful benefit for migraine prevention:

On the supplement side, butterbur has enough evidence behind it that the American Academy of Neurology and the American Headache Society have both endorsed a specific extract — standardized to 15% petasin and isopetasin, and free of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), which can damage the liver. If you explore butterbur, confirm the product is PA-free. Feverfew is another herb with a solid track record for migraine reduction and is often used alongside butterbur.

If you've been managing migraines reactively, it's worth stepping back and looking at the full picture — triggers, root causes, and prevention together.

Free Resources & Support

To your good health, Dr. Rodger Murphree

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