Migraines are crippling and can cause a high degree of interference with your everyday routines. They are a neurological condition that can cause intense headaches. In addition, it may also cause the following signs and symptoms:

• Numbness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sensitivity to light and sound
• Speech problems

Migraineurs can choose from several care options available for relief, these include:

• Medications
• Lifestyle changes
• Complementary therapies
• Upper cervical chiropractic

What are Beta-Blockers? 

Beta-blockers can be a preventive medication option for migraines. These are a type of drugs usually prescribed to care for heart conditions. Clinical research has discovered that some beta-blockers can also prevent migraine attacks.

Above all, beta-blockers are popularly known as a medical treatment for cardiovascular conditions, like:

• Stable or unstable angina
• Congestive heart failure
• High blood pressure (hypertension)

They function by stopping the stress hormone adrenaline or epinephrine, from binding to beta receptors. In addition, they can slow down your heart rate and regulate your blood pressure.

Beta-Blockers and Migraines 

Beta-blockers were introduced first in the 1960s as an effective, safe, and inexpensive treatment for heart conditions. Doctors discovered by accident that beta-blockers can be helpful for migraines. This accidental discovery happened when patients were given beta-blockers for their heart conditions found that this drug also gave them relief from their various migraine symptoms.

According to theory, beta-blockers most likely prevent migraine attacks and reduce symptoms in the following ways:

• Beta-blockers are one of the first and leading treatments for migraine prevention. Thus, they are generally quite useful and have relatively mild side effects.
• Also, beta-blockers may assist in reducing migraine frequency by reducing anxiety. As a result, they can decrease overall tension. Be aware that stress is a prevalent migraine trigger.
• They reduce blood flow in the brain. Beta-blockers restrict blood vessel dilation, which may contribute to migraine attacks.
• Fluctuations in serotonin levels can trigger migraines. Beta-blockers can stabilize serotonin levels, thus limiting migraines. 
• Finally, they reduce the electrical activity of the nervous system. Beta-blockers suppress waves of electric currents that are a crucial factor in migraines with aura. As a result, they can influence the nervous system to be less excitable.

Possible Side Effects of Beta-Blockers

Common side effects include the following:

• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Sexual dysfunction
• Poor blood circulation
• Weight gain
• Tingling or cold hands and feet

Also, beta-blockers have less common side effects, such as:

• Shortness of breath
• Insomnia
• Depression

Finally, beta-blockers can interact negatively with other drugs, including:

• Insulin
• Antidepressants
• Cholesterol-lowering drugs

You must tell your doctor if you are taking other medications aside from beta-blockers. Provide a complete list of the drugs you’re already taking. Also, we recommended that you avoid drinking alcohol if you’re taking beta-blockers. Both beta-blockers and alcohol can reduce your blood pressure. If these two are combined, your blood pressure is at a high risk of falling to a dangerously low level.

Are Beta-Blockers Good For You?

The bottom line is that beta-blockers are not for everybody. Your doctor will have to carry out a thorough assessment of your medical history. It must include a list of conditions you currently have and a list of medication you could be taking — to figure out if beta-blockers are the best option for you.

Beta-blockers are usually not recommended for people with:

• Diabetes
• Circulation problems
• Low blood pressure
• Lung conditions such as asthma or (COPD) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 

Also, we cannot recommend beta-blockers to those who are already taking medications for a heart condition or those with an advanced type of congestive heart failure.

If you’re already taking beta-blockers, it’s not safe to stop taking them abruptly, even if you experience side effects. Instead, please contact your doctor for advice on how to decrease your beta-blockers treatment safely.

Final Notes About Beta-Blockers

• Beta-blockers are drugs used to prevent migraines. However, they cannot stop a migraine that has already started.
• These drugs can be an excellent choice for patients who have migraines plus specific common heart diseases. For example, angina (chest pain), high blood pressure, ischemic heart disease, or heart problems that can narrow the arteries.

Your healthcare providers will most likely start you on a low dose and gradually increase it. Please follow your doctor’s instructions on how to take this medication. 

Natural and Long-Lasting Relief for Migraineurs

Migraines don’t have any immediate or magic cures. However, there is a way you can find relief and help from painful and life-disrupting migraines. If the first two (the atlas and axis) bones in your neck shift out of their position, it may result in miscommunication between the brain and body. Eventually, it can cause several health problems, including migraines.

More and more individuals are discovering a more natural and long-lasting method of getting relief for their migraine attacks. Have you heard of upper cervical chiropractic?

Here’s proof that upper cervical care works. Exactly 101 chronic migraineurs participated in a clinical case study that lasted for five years. From a total of 101 cases, 85 of the patients found resolutions in their chronic migraine headaches within the first to eight month of upper cervical care. Moreover, 12 of the patients had significant relief from their migraines with only some residual attacks. Patients under 18 years old reported the elimination of their migraines within two months of upper cervical care. Furthermore, a majority of the adult cases had resolution within four months. However, some patients required six months of care to attain maximum benefits. These patients suffered from their conditions for decades. 

Therefore, if you, a close friend or a family member suffers from migraines, please search for an upper cervical chiropractor near your region. Imagine if you can say goodbye to your migraine attacks for good.

to schedule a consultation today.