AboutLifeTree
About Lifetree - Who We Are Our Philosophy Executive Management Team: Alice A. Jackson, R.N. Lynn R. Webster, MD, FACPM, FASAM Matthew Iverson Sean Kotrady, CCRC, CCRP Neuroscience Research Team: Miroslav "Misha" Bačkonja, MD Mark A. Johnston, MD N. Lee Smith, MD Daniel B. Vine, MD Mary Jane Norman, MD Dennis Thoen, MD Debra F. Hobbins, DNP, APRN, LSAC, CARN-AP
ClinicalResearch
THERAPEUTIC EXPERTISE Clinical Research Abstracts Abuse Liability Analgesia Pain Model Development Lifetree Center for Neuroscience Research Phase 1 Research Sleep Medicine Ophthalmology
Clinical TrialManagement
Clinical Trial Management Data Management Services Interactive Voice Response System Medical and Safety Management Medical Writing Biostatistics and Analysis Services Drug Development Services
PressRoom
Press Releases & News Media Coverage Research Articles Calendar of Events
ContactLifeTree
Contact Lifetree Employment Opportunities For Study Participants For Biopharmaceutical and Device Clients Physicians: Become a Lifetree Investigator
VolunteerFor a Study
Volunteer - Screening Survey Current Research Studies Clinical Research Studies: Alzheimer's Clinical Trial Bunion Removal Chlamydia Home Testing Kit Chronic Pain Chronic Pain from Post-Herpetic Neuralgia Depression Clinical Trial Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Drug Abuse Study - Recreational use of Prescription Medications Gonorrhea Home Testing Kit Healthy Males and Females Healthy Seniors Hepatitis C Clinical Trial High Blood Pressure Hypertension Low Back Pain Mild Dementia Migraine Headaches Multiple Sclerosis Opioid Induced Constipation Osteoarthritis of the Hip and or Knee Schizophrenia Clinical Trial Sciatica Suboxone Wisdom Teeth Removal

Migraine Headaches

What is a Migraine Headache?
Migraines are a disease. Migraines are painful, sometimes disabling headaches that are often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, noise, and smell. These throbbing headaches usually occur on only one side of the head, although the pain can shift from one side of the head to the other, or can occur on both sides at the same time and can last from 4 to 72 hours. But even though they make you feel bad, migraines do not cause long-term damage.

What causes Migraine Headaches?
Migraines involve changes in chemicals and blood vessels in the brain, which trigger pain signals leading to headache and other symptoms. Migraines run in families, but it is not clear why some people get migraines and others do not.

What are the symptoms of Migraine Headaches?
The main symptom of a migraine is a throbbing headache on one side of your head. You may also feel sick to your stomach and vomit. Activity, light, noise, or odors may make the migraine worse. The pain may move from one side of your head to the other, or you may feel it on both sides at the same time. Different people have different symptoms. One-third of migraine sufferers have what’s known as an aura before the migraine begins. When you have an aura, you may first see spots, wavy lines, or flashing lights. Your hands, arms, or face may tingle or feel numb. The aura usually starts about 30 minutes before the headache.

What treatment options exist for Migraine Headaches?
While there is no cure for migraines, you can often reduce and possibly prevent some migraines. Drugs are available to prevent or treat migraines. There is some evidence that taking aspirin along with a drug that helps with nausea, such as metoclopramide (for example, Reglan), may help reduce migraine symptoms. You may also reduce the number of migraines you have by identifying and avoiding triggers that lead to migraines, such as drinking red wine or getting too much or too little sleep.

Initial treatment
At first you may use pain relievers that you can buy without a prescription, such as acetaminophen (for example, Tylenol), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen sodium, to reduce migraine symptoms. Some doctors recommend that you first try an NSAID to see whether it reduces pain before trying abortive or preventive drugs, which may have more side effects. Initial treatment depends on how severe your migraine attacks are and how often they occur, but usually includes drugs to stop a headache (abortive) or drugs to prevent a headache (preventive), along with treatments that may reduce stress.

Lifetree Clinical Research® is currently conducting a clinical trial. To find out more about this study click here.

Content on this page requires a newer version of Adobe Flash Player.

Get Adobe Flash player




Step One.

Get more information here on our website about Lifetree Clinical Research and our current studies.

Step Two.

If you feel comfortable and are ready to try something new, click here to fill out our quick online form. A Lifetree representative will contact you soon to continue the screening process to see if our program is right for you.