Migraine can be an ongoing condition, but treatment options exist to ease its symptoms. Your healthcare provider can offer advice regarding over-the-counter and prescription medicines that could ease symptoms.
Avoid taking painkillers too frequently as this could cause an overuse headache. Over-the-counter migraine medications include aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen (Tylenol etc).
Cool compresses on the head or neck can relieve pain by constricting blood vessels, while ginger root may help with nausea; fresh ginger can be purchased fresh, in tea form or candy form.
Avoiding triggers
Although no single solution exists for migraines, staying away from things that trigger them can help. A headache diary can be helpful in identifying common triggers like aged cheeses, chocolate and caffeine as well as scents which cause headaches; too much sleep may exacerbate these headaches further. Dimming lights or using light-filtering glasses may reduce migraine sensitivity to sunlight, flickering bulbs and artificial lighting sources.
Exercise — even walking — can help relieve migraine pain, but before beginning any new fitness regimen it’s essential to speak with your physician first. Stimulants found in many over-the-counter pain medications may also trigger migraine attacks for some individuals; changing dosage amounts is one way to manage this risk.
Deep breathing
Paced breathing and relaxation techniques can be powerful weapons against migraine. Studies have demonstrated their efficacy, as these behavioral therapies have been found to decrease both frequency and severity of headaches; however, their outcomes vary depending on individual patients.
Deep breathing involves using your diaphragm to increase oxygen levels in the blood, reduce blood pressure, relax chest and abdominal muscles, as well as relieve stress.
Counting inhales and exhales or practicing “box breathing,” in which one counts to three before inhaling again, may be of assistance during migraine attacks as it helps identify when your sympathetic nervous system has activated. These techniques are easy to practice anywhere and particularly effective during an attack when trying to identify when sympathetic nerve activation has taken place.
Relaxation
Migraines are more than a headache; they’re a neurological disorder. Characterized by throbbing pain on one side of the head and symptoms such as nausea and sensitivity to light and sound, migraine sufferers often report tension in their neck and shoulders as well. Massage and other relaxation techniques may be effective in relieving symptoms; exercise such as low-impact running can also provide some relief; vitamin supplements like Vitamin D or Omega-3 fatty acids may provide additional assistance.
Avoiding triggers of migraine headaches is key to managing their severity, including certain foods, bright lights, loud noises and osmophobia, an allergy or intolerance to strong smells.
Temperature therapy
Migraines often involve a severe, throbbing headache on one side of the head, with additional symptoms including nausea, light and sound sensitivity and other discomforts. They can last from hours or days; or occur more regularly (even multiple times each month).
Over-the-counter NSAID pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen can provide temporary relief from migraine symptoms and attacks. Some individuals find relief through using cold compresses or wraps to constrict blood vessels and reduce inflammation in their forehead or neck area.
Scalp massages may release endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, while increasing blood flow. Acupuncture can also be effective by inserting thin needles into specific points on the body.
Caffeine
Migraine sufferers can reduce the frequency of migraine attacks by taking in small doses of caffeine every day – but should avoid increasing intake on weekends to prevent an uncomfortable withdrawal headache.
Migraine sufferers may take combination analgesics that include caffeine to ease their symptoms. Overuse of such medication, however, may lead to medication overuse headache (MOH) as well as ulcers and bleeding within the digestive tract.
Caffeine has been implicated as a trigger of migraine attacks in certain studies; however, not all have reached this conclusion. Consuming or withdrawing caffeine can produce early warning symptoms of migraine attacks such as yawning and fatigue that precede an attack.
Cold therapy
Cold therapy is an easy, affordable solution to help alleviate a migraine attack. Ice packs or cool cloths can be applied directly onto the forehead or neck area for instantaneous pain relief.
Applying cold packs or ice to an injured area helps reduce inflammation and increase pain tolerance by inducing vasoconstriction, which reduces blood flow to affected tissue. Ice may also numb nerve endings to alleviate discomfort.
Undirect exposure to very cold items on the skin may cause irritation or frostbite, so for your own safety it’s advisable to wrap an ice pack in a towel or scarf and take steps such as taking it off after 15 minutes.
