New option could help migraine sufferers

WSFA/NBC - If you suffer from migraines you already know how painful and disruptive they can be in your everyday life. Now there's a new option out there that could provide relief.

"Migraine is a very specific kind of headache that usually affects younger population, in particular women," said neurologist Dr. Gennady Gekht.

These headaches can cause throbbing, one-sided head pain, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light.

"If you're able to work while having a migraine, it's probably not a migraine.  Most patients who've had a migraine will never forget it." Gekht said.

The most common trigger for migraines is stress.

"In the past, we've really treated patients with medications that were not designed specifically for migraines, but were designed for other things, and seemed to help migraines."

Now there is a new option.

"It's called Aimovig.  It's designed specifically for migraine headaches. It's an injectable type of device that you have to inject once a month." Gekht said.

This medicine is meant for people who get migraines about four times a month.

"It's not going to abort the headache while you already have it but it reduced the severity of the headache and more importantly, the frequency of the headache." Gekht said.

If you're wondering about side effects? Doctors say common side effects with Aimovig include pain or redness at the injection site, constipation, muscle spasms, or cramps.

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