Migraine management strategies typically include avoiding known triggers, taking prophylactic medication (like ibuprofen or topiramate), as well as non-pharmacological approaches like exercise, diet, headache diaries, biofeedback meditation and cognitive behavioral therapy as non-pharmacological preventive methods. Neuromodulation devices, acupuncture or magnesium may also provide benefits.
Some individuals also find that adhering to a regular sleep schedule and staying hydrated helps decrease migraine episodes.
Avoiding Triggers
Migraine triggers vary, making it essential for each migraine sufferer to identify and avoid their individual triggers. One way of doing this is keeping a diary or using a smartphone app to record when and how often your migraine symptoms arise, what helps or hinders them, what weather patterns or food choices may contribute to flare-ups, any supplements like riboflavin (vitamin B2) magnesium feverfew butterbur or any stress management strategies taken and whether your sleep patterns have changed since experiencing stressors such as headaches.
Lifestyle changes may also help reduce migraine attacks, including avoiding foods known as triggers (such as cheese and processed meats ) or cutting back on caffeine intake.
Keeping a Food Journal
Food journals are an effective way of keeping track of everything you eat and drink, including amounts consumed per item in grams or other measures that are easily remembered and reasonably accurate.
Maintaining a food diary can help your doctor identify and tailor preventive migraine medication strategies accordingly, with proven medications like Valproex, Topiramate and Propranolol having shown to be successful.
Migraines are severe headaches characterized by painful throbbing or pulsating pain that typically affects one side of the head and may include nausea, vomiting, light and sound sensitivity and fatigue. Consulting a headache specialist will allow them to develop a tailored management plan that reduces both frequency and severity of attacks.
Managing Stress
Stress can be one of the primary triggers for migraine attacks, so finding ways to cope when it arises is key. Regular physical exercise programs, communication techniques and limiting caffeine/stimulants consumption all prove helpful in relieving symptoms of migraine.
While some things may be out of our hands – such as weather, everyday stresses and random bad nights of sleep – others can still have an effect. One such way of making changes involves keeping a headache diary, maintaining regular sleep/eating patterns and engaging with other migraine sufferers who share similar issues.
Practice of mantras or other types of self-calming routines may help alleviate stress and make managing migraine episodes simpler, such as diaphragmatic breathing exercises, meditation and yoga.
