Migraines vs. Headaches: When Paracetamol Isn't Enough
If you suffer from migraines, you know that calling them "just a headache" is an insult. A headache is annoying; a migraine is a full-system shutdown. It steals days of your life. You cancel plans, you hide in dark rooms, and you wait for the nausea to pass.
Many people live with this for years, relying on over-the-counter painkillers that barely touch the sides. They assume nothing else can be done because their GP told them to "drink more water" or "reduce stress."
But migraine medicine has moved on. You don't have to suffer through it.
Why Over-the-Counter Meds Fail
Standard painkillers (Paracetamol, Ibuprofen) work on general inflammation. Migraines are neurological. They involve the dilation of blood vessels in the brain and the activation of specific nerve pathways.
If you are taking painkillers more than 10-15 days a month, you might actually be causing "Medication Overuse Headache." The pills themselves are causing the pain cycle to continue.
The Triptan Revolution
Triptans (like Sumatriptan or Rizatriptan) are specific migraine abortive medications. They work by narrowing the blood vessels in the brain and blocking pain signals.
Taken at the very first sign of an attack, they can stop a migraine in its tracks within 45 minutes. For many patients, this is life-changing. It turns a 3-day ordeal into a minor blip.
Prevention is Better Than Cure
If you are having more than 3 or 4 attacks a month, you shouldn't just be treating them; you should be preventing them.
There are prophylactic medications (like beta-blockers, amitriptyline, or candesartan) that you take daily to raise your migraine threshold. They make your brain less sensitive to triggers.
Taking Your Life Back
You don't need a neurologist referral to access these treatments. A private GP can review your history, rule out red flags, and start you on effective migraine-specific medication immediately.
Imagine knowing you have a pill in your pocket that actually works. Imagine not having to fear the next attack.
