What is a migraine and how can your FSA treat it?

A headache is a major annoyance that can weigh you down over the course of a day, but any migraine sufferer will tell you that their headaches can actually put them out of commission for hours and days on end.

While the exact causes of migraines vary from person to person, they seem to be related to specific environmental triggers and genetic factors that can contribute to their frequency and severity. Migraines may also be caused by changes in the brainstem and its interactions with the trigeminal nerve, a major pain pathway, as well as an imbalance in brain chemicals like serotonin, which markedly decreases during migraine attacks. Even sudden drops in barometric pressure have been known to cause migraines, so there’s truly no singular cause.

Flexible Spending Account & Migraine Relief

Whatever the cause of your migraines, there are various prescription medications that could provide relief, but they are even more effective when they are paired with over-the-counter (OTC) medications and other pain relief products that are covered by your Flexible Spending Account (FSA).

Your FSA can cover a huge range of treatments to help you respond confidently when your worst headache strikes! Visit FSAstore.com to explore our huge selection of FSA eligible pain relief products to stop migraines in their tracks.

Here are a few ways you can respond quickly when your next migraine strikes:

Hot and Cold Therapy

Hot and cold packs are FSA eligible, and both of these can provide a calming effect. Cold packs placed on the head or neck can provide a numbing effect that can reduce the pain of migraines, while hot packs and heating pads can relax tense muscles and help the migraine pain to pass more quickly.

Check out: Thermal-Aid Large Sectional

Turn off the Lights

Migraines cause an increased sensitivity to light, which is why you may find yourself shying away from bright computer and TV screens and staying in dark rooms. Ideally, in these instances it’s best to sleep off your migraine, as you can ride out the worst of your headache and in most cases can wake up without feeling any lingering effects. Make sure that you can relax and relieve pain by utilizing a hot/cold therapy sleep mask.

Check out: TheraPearl Hot or Cold Therapy Eye Mask

Over-the-counter (OTC) Medication

At the first sign of a migraine, most neurologists will recommend taking an OTC pain reliever that can begin to tackle the searing pain associated with migraines. While aspirin, acetaminophen, and other pain relievers can be a step in the right direction, researchers have found caffeine actually has a tangible effect on migraines. As a result, many of the OTC pain relievers that are marketed to treat migraines utilize small amounts of caffeine to enhance their effects. Please note: all medicines require a prescription for FSA reimbursement.

Check out: Excedrin Migraine Pain Reliever Aid

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