Migraines are a pain, literally. According to the American Migraine Foundation, over 30 million people suffer from migraines.
A migraine is a neurological condition that causes symptoms that look a lot like headaches, just more intense and sometimes debilitating. In addition to causing throbbing head pain, migraines can cause nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, sound, and smells.
There is no cure for migraines. But there are ways for you to manage migraine pain and minimize the impact your migraines have on your life. If you are like me, and your migraines are less responsive to prescription medications, or you are simply looking for alternatives to treat your migraines, you came to the right place. These are a few things you can try the next time you have a migraine attack.
Take supplements
Many natural supplements, like ginger, magnesium, omega-3s, Feverfew, and Butterbur, have anti-inflammatory or inflammatory blocking properties that can help with some of your migraine symptoms, like pain and nausea. One thing to be mindful of is that some supplements can counteract other prescription medications. Before adding anything new to your existing regimen, speak with your doctor or qualified health professional.
Use essential oils
Several essential oils can help ease the pain and discomfort of your migraines. Lavender, peppermint, and rosemary oils are perhaps the most popular treating migraines. Using them as aromatherapy can help calm and relax your nervous system and help relieve certain kinds of headaches.
Try acupuncture
Acupuncture is another popular treatment option for migraines. And it has fewer side effects than medication. This treatment would involve placing needs on pressure points to relieve some of your tension. Every acupuncturist may not have experience with treating migraines. So, if you are interested in exploring this form of treatment, look for a qualified practitioner.
Part of managing your migraines and attacks is doing things to proactively prevent them from happening. Preventing migraines is often easier than treating them before they start. And if you’re like me, prevention is crucial for keeping migraine attacks at bay.
Alternate Temperatures
Soaking in a warm bath or cold compresses can help relax your muscles and ease your migraine pain.
Avoid triggers
To prevent migraine attacks, you need to understand what triggers them. The most common triggers are stress, lack of sleep, hunger/dehydration, and certain foods. Once you learn your triggers, try to do your best to avoid them to prevent future migraines.
Reduce your stress
For most people, this may be easier said than done. We all experience stress, though some people have more chronic stress than others. But it is one of the most common triggers of migraines. So, finding ways to reduce stress, like yoga, meditation, or exercise, can help you prevent migraine attacks.
Drink and eat regularly
Most people, doctors included, have no idea what causes migraines. We know what triggers them. But, the mechanics behind it is unknown. Migraines are associated with abnormal brain activity affecting our nerves, brain chemicals, and blood vessels. And our eating habits can affect our brain and nervous system. Fasting, even though it tends to have positive effects on the brain, can also trigger migraines in some people. And our bodies need water to function. Being dehydrated affects our nervous system.
Keep a diary
Lastly, tracking your migraines can help you better understand them. You can determine how frequently they happen and find any patterns. The great news is that once you know your migraines, you can learn how to prevent them. The Huddy App is an innovative and modern way to log your migraines.
If, after trying these things, you still need help to manage your migraines, consult with your doctor. Your doctor can help develop a treatment plan that can work for you.