Working in the ER as a paramedic, it is not uncommon to treat patients in extreme distress due to a migraine or chronic headache. These people usually suffer from chronic migraines well beyond headaches.
Avoiding the Emergency Room For a Migraine
If you suffer from these you understand nausea and vomiting first-hand. Additionally, you may be unable to leave a room or resume daily activities from sensitivity to light and sound. OTC pain relievers fail to help and Emergency Room visits can prove to cost thousands of dollars for a single visit. Visiting a specialist or even your Family Practice physician will not provide immediate relief. If you have been in this position, you know the first thing administered to you in the ER is an IV.
IV Hydration for Migraines
“Why” you may ask do they start this IV treatment with plain saline? When is individual presents themself in the ER, it is crucial to introduce medication to patients. Sending medication through the digestive system takes time to process by the body. Time is not something people have in the Emergency Room. IVs provide a direct pathway to the body and its organs. It is important that a trained medical professional or paramedic is in charge of delivering this IV therapy. Medication dosing and other drug interactions can only compound this critical therapy.
IV Medications to treat a Migraine
There are several non-opioid medications that can be administered to one that is suffering from migraines. The IV infusion of medications and vitamins can address overall body hydration, nausea, and vomiting. Adding magnesium, caffeine, Zofran, Toradol, & Benadryl can be a great start to addressing the physical imbalance causing this pain. Let’s cover what actions each of these medications can address.
Magnesium & Its Role in Treating Migraines
This mineral plays a very important role in the central nervous and muscular systems of our body. We require magnesium to perform hundreds of biochemical reactions necessary to keep our bodies in working balance. Magnesium is also a natural calcium channel blocker that helps reduce the workload of the heart. Magnesium deficiency inflicts stress on the muscular system and causes the body to spasm and affects our energy levels. Many people do not consume enough magnesium in their diets which leads to increased imbalance. Low magnesium levels can also lead to depleted calcium levels.
Caffeine & Your Migraine
This compound has vasoconstrictive properties, meaning blood vessels narrow to restrict blood flow. Caffeine is a key active ingredient in many OTC headache medications. Supplying this intravenously can increase the efficacy and dosage can be accurately administered.
Zofran and Migraines
This anti-nausea medication is a go-to for physicians and paramedics. It can rapidly address nausea and vomiting. Vomiting leads to rapid dehydration and without a balance in fluids our body is unable to regulate its chemistry. Remember a goal of IV therapy is proper hydration. Stopping fluid loss is critical.
Toradol and migraine treatment
The medication Toradol is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug or NSAID. It works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.
diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can be a great aid for migraines
This OTC medication can block histamine circulation and help calm overactive nerves.
Medical Professionals Delivering Treatment
Directly introducing these medications in the proper ratio is key to migraine relief. Also, remember to share your medical history and medications with the medical professional treating you with an IV drip. Knowing about allergies, medical conditions, and medications plays a critical role in any infusion therapy. IV therapy is not something to be given by anyone. You need the proper medical education, background experience, and instinctive medical protocols to perform this therapy.
Feel Better Now
If you suffer from headaches, we do not have to cover migraine symptoms. You just need to get fast relief. Do not be scared of getting migraine relief IV Therapy outside of a hospital. Receiving a Migraine IV in your home is an option. Liberty IV provides mobile paramedics in your own home or office. Their treatments are recognized by physicians and the Texas state medical board. They are licensed and insured professionals who are equipped to treat and stabilize. Also, Keep in mind paramedics are also trained to understand a patient's vitals monitor them during treatment, and take instinctive actions based on proven medical protocol.
Michael Lickteig, along with his wife Melissa, built Liberty IV Infusion Therapy to serve the North Texas community. Both Michael and Melissa are Nationally Registered Paramedics licensed in the State of Texas, and both hold National Board Certification as Certified Flight Paramedics. Their careers in emergency medicine span more than a decade working in prehospital emergency 911 and critical care transport, as well as on staff inside some of North Texas’ busiest emergency/trauma units serving both adult and pediatric populations.. Michael holds an MBA from the University of North Texas and Melissa a BS degree from the University of Texas Arlington. The Lickteig family has strong ties to the military and has established partnerships with retired veterans and first responder organizations dedicated to reducing the occurrence of suicide in these vulnerable groups. Their goal is to make care available and affordable to veterans, first responders, or anyone else who is struggling with chronic pain, TBI, or PTSD throughout the North Texas Region.
Melissa Lickteig NRP, LP, FP-C, BS
SOURCES:
Intravenous magnesium sulfate rapidly alleviates headaches of various types
A benefit-risk assessment of caffeine as an analgesic adjuvant
Emergency Department and Inpatient Management of Status Migrainosus and Intractable Headache
The Role of Magnesium in Pathophysiology and Migraine Treatment
Emergency Department and Inpatient Management of Headache in Adults
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