Migraines are more than just headaches; they’re medical conditions that can severely hinder daily tasks and life in general.
Although migraines do not have a cure, medication and healthy habits can help alleviate their pain and prevent future episodes from occurring. Many over-the-counter and prescription medicines exist that treat migraines.
Avoiding Triggers
Many people who suffer from migraines have migraine triggers – foods, chemicals or other factors which cause headaches – including cheeses, chocolate, alcohol, additives such as nitrates (found in hot dogs and lunchmeat) and monosodium glutamate, as well as processed meats like bacon or salami, fasting or skipping meals altogether, certain medicines, hormonal fluctuations (such as menstruation), stress levels rising suddenly with light exposure or changes to weather patterns or changes to weather patterns causing disturbances or sleep disturbances.
As much as possible can be avoided through eating a balanced diet and never skipping meals – particularly breakfast! Additionally, migraine sufferers have reported keeping a journal of their attacks to identify foods or other triggers which could potentially aggravate them, and to try and avoid combinations like being stressed while skipping dinner! If that fails to help reduce frequency of attacks there are prescription or over-the-counter migraine medications which may reduce that frequency further.
Staying Hydrated
Migraines can be debilitating and drastically diminish the quality of your life, often leading to nausea, visual disturbances and other symptoms which prevent normal functioning. Migraines may also be caused by dehydration; so it’s essential that you take steps to keep yourself well hydrated at all times.
Add electrolyte-rich beverages like fruit juice or herbal tea to your daily regimen in addition to drinking water, such as adding several cups of electrolyte-rich beverages such as fruit juice. These drinks offer an effective solution as alternatives to caffeinated and alcoholic drinks that may lead to dehydration.
Staying hydrated can help to avoid migraines and reduce their symptoms, including nausea and fatigue, when they do occur. A headache diary can also help track fluid intake and identify potential triggers to more effectively manage headaches and enhance quality of life. Melbourne Headache Solutions’ experienced medical team offers effective solutions tailored specifically for each of their individual clients’ needs.
Avoiding Over-the-Counter Painkillers
Over-the-counter pain medicines can trigger migraines for certain individuals and become problematic when used too often or with other medicines like narcotics or aspirin. If you find yourself using OTC painkillers more than two days each week, speak to your physician.
Always attempt to get enough sleep; this can help prevent migraines. But be wary, as too much rest can make your symptoms worse. Additionally, try not to skip meals; failing to do so could trigger migraines.
Keep a migraine diary to monitor symptoms and detect patterns, whether using an app or writing in a notebook. Your migraine diary can help identify triggers so they can be avoided, remember medications taken for headaches and identify when more are required – for instance if painkillers are used during an attack, take them as soon as symptoms emerge to help mitigate its severity.
Taking Prescription Medicines
Migraines do not have a cure, but there are medications available that may help ease symptoms. Speak with your healthcare provider about which might work for you and discuss any triggers such as foods, stressors and exercise that might aggravate them – they may suggest keeping a headache diary to identify any patterns.
Start off by taking over-the-counter pain medicines like acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), ibuprofen or acetaminophen. If this doesn’t help, prescription NSAIDs such as diclofenac potassium or naproxen sodium might provide relief; otherwise consult your physician who might recommend stronger triptans such as sumatriptan (Imitrex and generic versions).
There is evidence of several preventive medicines being beneficial in chronic migraine, including beta blockers without intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (such as atenolol, bisoprolol or metoprolol), topiramate, candesartan and amitriptyline; however regulatory restrictions often prevent their use for patients whose other therapies fail. Furthermore, CGRP monoclonal antibodies erenumab, fremanezumab and galcanezumab have also proven their worth; however they come at considerable expense.
