For some, migraines can be a daily struggle. We don’t have a cure yet, but we can offer tips and tricks to help prevent and provide migraine relief.
Relieving Current Migraines
When you are feeling the onset of a migraine, try some of these tips to prevent it from getting worse.
- Drink more water – Dehydration can cause headaches and migraines. Staying hydrated can reduce the frequency and duration of them.
- Apply a warm or cold compress – Warm packs may help relax tense muscles triggering your migraine, while cold packs can help soothe and reduce the intensity.
- Massage – Getting a massage can be a great way to relieve tension and stress. One study reported most of their participants felt almost immediate relief.
- Relax in a quiet, dark area – Sensitivity to light and sound are well-known symptoms of migraines. Even outside, laying back in a shaded area away from loud noises can help ease migraine pain.
- Meditate – Deep breathing and relaxation exercises reduce tension in the body that help relieve migraines. Meditation has also been shown to reduce mental stress, change sleep habits, and be a healthy way to exercise.
- Drink a cup of coffee – Caffeine causes your blood vessels to narrow and restricts the blood flow, which may alleviate a migraine. However, don’t drink too many and be mindful of how much sugar you add. Caffeine withdrawal and too much sugar can also potentially trigger headaches or migraines.
Preventing Future Migraines
While we can’t predict the future, we can prepare for what is to come. Trying the following steps may aid in reducing the frequency and severity of migraine symptoms.
- Wear sunglasses – If you know you are particularly sensitive to light, protect yourself and reduce your risk with sunglasses.
- Keep a daily schedule – Eating, sleeping, and exercising on a regular schedule can help your body get the fuel and rest it needs.
- Mediate stress – Plan times in your day to decompress. Take a walk, do yoga, or listen to calming music.
- Carry a pair of earplugs – Earplugs are not magically soundproof, but they can lower the intensity of sounds. They will reduce ear strain and help prevent migraines.
- Soothe your stomach – Sometimes, migraines can cause nausea. Drinking some peppermint tea or munching on saltines can help calm your nausea.
- Watch for triggers – Specific foods, smells, or activities can provoke a migraine. It can help to keep a headache journal or use an app to track your migraine symptom. Also, pay attention to what you did a few hours leading up to the migraine and record that information.
More Options
You don’t have to battle migraines alone. People living with chronic migraines can also use medication to relieve symptoms and reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines. Explore new options being evaluated in clinical research studies here at Charlottesville Medical Research. Participating in a migraine study can help you learn more about your condition while helping to advance treatment options for it. To see if you may qualify, call us today at (434) 817-2442 or visit our website.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/migraine/treating-migraines/how-to-get-rid-of-a-migraine
https://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/guide/understanding-migraine-prevention
