Muscle relaxants help reduce muscle stiffness, spasms, and tension. They include both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications. To minimize discomfort caused by tense muscles, prescription muscle relaxants typically work by reducing the activity of nerve signals in the brain and spinal cord. OTC muscle relaxants contain anti-inflammatory substances such as ibuprofen or aspirin to reduce pain and swelling caused by strained muscles.
In addition to reducing muscle tension, muscle relaxants also have a calming effect that helps people who experience chronic pain from tight muscles to relax and sleep better.
Causes & Symptoms of Migraine
A migraine headache is a persistent headache that affects one side of the head and is extremely painful, and throbbing. These headaches are very severe and are aggravated by any kind of noise, bright light, or certain smells. The exact cause of migraine headaches is still unclear, but medically, they are often triggered by changes in hormone levels during a woman’s menstrual cycle and family history. Also, stress, details of food (such as aged cheese), bright lights, loud noises, drinking alcohol, too little sleep, and changes in the weather can trigger sudden migraine headaches.
Common symptoms associated with migraine include,
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Blurred vision
- Dizziness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Confusion
- Irritation
- Fatigue
- Neck stiffness/pain
- Visual disturbances like seeing flashes or blind spots
How Can Muscle Relaxers Help Treat Migraine?
Muscle relaxants are an effective treatment for migraine headaches because they help reduce muscle tension, spasms, and stiffness associated with headaches. Also for pain caused by tense muscles, muscle relaxants inhibit nerve signals from the brain and spinal cord.
Taking muscle relaxants for migraine relief has many positive effects, such as better sleep, less severe headaches, fewer episodes, better mood, more energy, less sensitivity to sound or light, and fewer migraine-related symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. , or confusion. Additionally, some evidence suggests that people who take muscle relaxants may have fewer adverse effects than those who take triptans or opioids, or other types of medications used to treat migraines.
Types of Muscle Relaxers Available to Treat Migraines:
FDA-approved medications known as prescription muscle relaxants such as cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), carisoprodol (Soma), tizanidine (Zanaflex), and baclofen (Lioresal) treat muscle stiffness, tension, and pain. Also, these drugs relieve the discomfort associated with tight muscles by inhibiting nerve impulses in the brain and spinal cord.
Muscle relaxants sold OTC, are commonly available without a prescription and are an effective treatment for those who suffer from occasional migraine headaches. This OTC medication contains active ingredients like aspirin or ibuprofen, which reduce inflammation and help relax tight muscles. Examples of common over-the-counter muscle relaxants are Excedrin Migraine, Advil PM, Aleve PM, Midol Extended Relief, Pamprin Multi-Symptom Menstrual Relief Caplets, etc. Before taking any OTC medication for migraine relief, read the label carefully or seek advice from a health expert as these medications may have potential side effects.
Overall, there are several different muscle relaxants that are available that may offer relief from symptoms related to migraine headaches, such as tightness or spasms in the neck or head area; the decreased intensity of head pain; reduced frequency of episodes; improved sleep quality; better overall mood; increased energy levels; lessened sensitivity to noise or light stimuli; and fewer symptoms related to nausea/vomiting/dizziness/confusion during an attack. Before starting any new pharmaceutical regimen, patients should speak with their doctor about the right dosage and timing to ensure safety and maximize effectiveness when utilizing these treatments.
Possible Side Effects & Risks associated with Muscle Relaxants
The use of muscle relaxants can have negative effects, especially if used excessively. Side effects of prescription muscle relaxants often include drowsiness, dizziness, disorientation, headaches, blurred vision, and dry mouth. Also, serious side effects may include difficulty urinating, increased heart rate or blood pressure, changes in personality or behavior, depression, hallucinations, chest discomfort, and/or seizures.
Before starting therapy with any medicine, it’s crucial to go over all the potential dangers and advantages with your doctor. This will ensure that the chosen course of action is customized to each person’s needs while reducing the chance of drug interactions or other un-favorable effects from incorrect use, such as over sedation or addiction.
In addition to the potential side effects of using prescription muscle relaxants, there are other risks before using them, such as the risk of overdose if the drugs are not used properly and the potential for abuse if the drugs are prescribed. People who may not need it for therapeutic purposes (“doctor shopping”). It is also important to note that some muscle relaxants can interact negatively with excessive alcohol consumption leading to complications such as extreme drowsiness, shortness of breath, or in extreme cases, death. Hence, a doctor consultation is important before using prescription muscle relaxants.
How to Choose the Right Muscle Relaxants for Your Needs?
When deciding which type of muscle relaxant to use, it is important to consider your symptoms. Over-the-counter muscle relaxants may not be the best choice if your boots are severe or frequent. It is also important to discuss any potential side effects with your doctor before starting any treatment as each medication may have different risks associated with its use. Common side effects associated with prescription muscle relaxants include drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, headache, blurred vision, and dry mouth. Also serious, but rare side effects such as difficulty urinating; increased heart rate or blood pressure; Changes in personality or behavior, depression, hallucinations, chest pain, etc.
It is also important to note that some muscle relaxants can interact negatively with alcohol consumption leading to complications such as extreme drowsiness, shortness of breath, or in extreme cases death, so a healthcare professional should also be discussed before using.
When considering using muscle relaxation as a treatment for migraines or other chronic pain conditions, such as fibromyalgia or arthritis, it is important to share a medical history with them beforehand. This will allow the doctor to give them the necessary advice on the right dosage and timing when starting any new medication regimen.
Finally, muscle relaxers can be an effective way to reduce the severity and frequency of migraine headaches.
