Migraine can be excruciatingly painful and severely impact your daily activities, requiring many home remedies to alleviate symptoms. There are various effective solutions you can try for this discomfort.
Have a cold compress ready and lie in a dark and cool room. Massaging your neck and shoulders may also provide temporary relief from tension.
If you suffer from frequent migraines, a physician may suggest alternative treatments such as:
Cold Compresses
Use of an ice pack or cold wrap can provide effective relief from migraine-induced discomfort and inflammation. These simple tools leverage our bodies’ natural response to cold temperature, which causes vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels) and reduced nerve conduction speed, thus inhibiting pain signal transmission.
Gel-filled packs and caps provide convenient relief, fitting tightly around the head for instantaneous comfort. A study published in 2006 by Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine demonstrated this by showing migraine patients who used cold gel caps during two attacks experienced less discomfort.
Individuals can also create their own ice packs by placing a few ice cubes or crushed ice in a plastic bag and sealing it tightly, then covering it with cloth or towel to avoid direct skin contact, which could result in frostbite. They should then apply it to either their head or neck for 15-20 minutes before taking steps to ensure no permanent skin damage occurs.
Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers
Over-the-counter pain medications can be an invaluable first step for patients suffering from migraines. By the time someone reaches out to a headache specialist, they may already have tried an OTC remedy.
OTC migraine medications that contain acetaminophen (Paracetamol, Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) or naproxen (Aleve) are widely available and effective ways of alleviating migraine headache pain. Some products even feature caffeine to enhance effectiveness (Excedrin Migraine). Make sure to follow all dosage instructions closely as taking too much medication can cause liver or kidney damage or stomach ulcers if taken beyond recommended limits.
Antiemetics such as Ondansetron (Zofran) and Prochlorperazine (Compazine) may help manage migraine-associated nausea and vomiting. While the latter medication may cause headaches in some people, both may prove useful.
Trigger Avoidance
Avoiding certain internal and external stimuli known as triggers is one way to help alleviate migraine. A headache diary that records when an attack occurs, what was eaten, activities undertaken and weather changes is helpful in identifying triggers like aged cheeses, red wine, chocolate and foods or beverages containing caffeine or alcohol as potential culprits. Also try and eat on a consistent schedule without missing meals altogether for best results.
However, eliminating all these items from your diet is impractical; therefore, it’s better to control exposure using an exposure management strategy, rather than trying to avoid or avoid triggers altogether. Many patients are new to this and need encouragement and support while making lifestyle changes. Migraine sufferers should also be mindful of the prodrome phase which typically occurs a day or two before an attack begins – this period often features constipation, mood changes, cravings for certain foods, light/sound sensitivity as well as constipation/changes before finally experiencing an attack itself.
Talk to Your Doctor
As soon as migraines affect your daily life, it is crucial that you openly discuss them with your physician in order to develop an appropriate treatment plan. Be ready to present all relevant medical records or documentation regarding treatments you have tried as well as their side effects so your physician has a full picture.
Your symptoms could also include loss of vision or light sensitivity (called photophobia), as well as tingling sensations in your hands and feet or numbness in the head or neck area.
Maintain a dark room, use blackout curtains, wear sunglasses outdoors and follow a regular sleep schedule; or follow another lifestyle change such as avoiding stress, eating healthy diet and getting enough exercise can also help manage symptoms; relaxation techniques like biofeedback and meditation may also prove effective in controlling migraine attacks.
