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One such drug, Excedrin Migraine, is very popular. It contains Acetaminophen, Aspirin , and Caffeine and seems to be effective on slightly more severe pain. The biggest problem with the NSAID's is that if they are taken to often they can cause ulcers of the stomach, bleeding in the intestines, kidney and liver damage.
The Triptans are the next category of drugs. Sumatriptan (Imitrex) was the very first drug designed specifically for migraines. Sumatriptan acts like the neurotransmitter serotonin, binding to those neurotransmitter receptors which results in constriction of the blood vessels in the head. One of the nice things about Sumatriptan is that it can be used in nasal, oral or injectable form. However, the side effects of Sumatriptan can be very serious including heart attack and stroke. Although these side effects are rare, people who have a history of heart disease, angina, high blood pressure, ischemic bowel disease or a heart attack or stroke should not take Sumatriptan. Other contraindications include people taking MAO inhibitors and certain antidepressants.
Once a headache has started, Sumatriptan can be used. It will not prevent headaches or reduce the number of attacks. A number of other drugs similar to Sumatriptan are available. These include Rizatriptan (Maxalt), Naratriptan (Amerge), Zolmitriptan (Zomig), Almotriptan (Axert), Frovatriptan (Frova) and Etriptan (Relpax). These newer agents provide pain relief within two hours for most people, have fewer side effects and cause fewer recurring headaches. Side effects of triptans include nausea, dizziness, and muscle weakness and, rarely, stroke and heart attack.
The Ergots are the next class of drugs. Drugs such as ergotamine (Ergomar) and dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45) and dihydroergotamine nasal spray (Migranal) help relieve pain. These drugs may have more side effects than the Triptans do. . Along with other headache treatment drugs, medications for nausea may be used. The drug Metoclopramide (Reglan) is useful for relieving the nausea and vomiting associated with migraines, but not the migraine pain itself. It also improves gastric emptying, which leads to better absorption and more rapid action of many oral drugs. It's most effective when taken early in the course of a migraine or even during the aura before the headache begins. The drugs prochlorperazine (Compazine), chlorpromazine (Thorazine), promethazine (Phenergan) and hydroxyzine (Vistaril) also may relieve nausea, but don't affect gastric emptying. Part 2 of this article will discuss more current drugs used for headache treetment.
Many emetophobes find it very frustrating that even experts often seem unclear how to deal with a phobia of vomit and yet, this is more common than many of us realise. Many sufferers become highly skilled at avoiding situations which might expose them to vomit (either theirs or other peoples) and statistically, many are sick much less than an average person.
Some deal with their emetophobia by taking medication such as Tigan or Compazine (both prescription-based) or some buy over the counter medication. Others try to boost their immune system by eating a healthy, albeit very restrictive diet and take supplements.
Despite the fact that most people with a phobia of vomit are rarely exposed to situations where there is vomit, the real issue is the mental stress and worry that this could happen at any time and this is often in the forefront of the mind, meaning that sufferers cannot enjoy the things we all take for granted and often enjoy, such as going to parties, socializing, going on vacation and even attending to our children when they are ill. Indeed, many emetophobes will actually postpone having children until they learn how to control the fear.
Although there is no solution which works for everyone, some experts successfully use desensitization. This involves introducing the person with a phobia of vomit to "risky" situations, such as riding a fairground ride to eating foods they would normally avoid. This would be done in very gradual stages starting off with very low risk activities. Some specialists recommend a more radical approach which immediately "throws them in at the deep end" by exposing them to high risk scenarios immediately, but the stress experienced by those with a phobia of vomit means that they will rarely (and understandably) go along with this option!
If you would like to learn how to cure emetophobia naturally, there is a tried-and-tested four step technique you can use to end your phobia of vomiting INSTANTLY.
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