Though migraines cannot always be completely prevented, there are steps you can take to lessen your risk. For instance, avoid foods and drinks known to trigger migraines, like aged cheese, chocolate and caffeine.
Sleep well: this will help your body fight inflammation and lower the frequency of migraine attacks.
Cold compresses
Cold compresses are an easy and home-made treatment option. Simply fill a plastic bag with ice, or purchase an instant cold pack from any drugstore or retailer.
When purchasing an ice pack, ensure it is made from material suitable for direct skin contact. A fabric-covered pack may cause frostbite if left on too long and should therefore be avoided.
Some individuals report that placing an ice pack on their neck can help ease the pain associated with migraine or headaches, due to its cooling effect on blood vessels that contribute to it. Try placing it either near where your headache or migraine symptoms exist or on the back of the neck near carotid arteries for best results.
Over-the-counter pain relievers
Though migraine is incurable, home remedies may help relieve its symptoms and prevent future attacks. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen may help ease mild to moderate headaches while others may enhance other medication prescribed by healthcare providers.
Studies indicate that dark rooms may help as light and sound are known to trigger migraines. Furthermore, studies indicate that specific green light wavelengths can decrease pain significantly.
Stay hydrated as dehydration can contribute to migraine attacks. Flavored water can encourage regular drinking while making it more appealing. Sipping caffeinated tea or coffee may ease migraine pain; however, too much caffeine could trigger withdrawal symptoms and worsen attacks; speak to your healthcare provider regarding what amount of caffeine would be safe for you.
Talk to your healthcare provider
If migraines are interfering with your daily activities or worsening, seeking professional assistance is wise. A healthcare provider can assist in identifying triggers, suggesting lifestyle modifications, and prescribing medication that will alleviate your symptoms.
Medication used to treat migraine can also cause headaches if taken too frequently or in combination with other medications; this condition is known as medication overuse headache. Speak to your physician about how best to avoid medication overuse headache.
Journaling your symptoms is an effective way to identify potential triggers like food, stress or sleep patterns that could be contributing to them. Discuss any major stresses or recent life events with your healthcare provider as soon as they arise; appointments tend to be brief – therefore be ready with specific questions at hand when meeting with them.
Eat a healthy diet
Though there is no definitive diet to treat migraine, following a healthy, unprocessed diet may help by decreasing chemical triggers that could potentially bring on attacks. Eating regularly throughout the day to keep blood sugar stable and prevent hunger from setting off an attack could also be beneficial in keeping migraine attacks under control.
Avoid eating foods containing additives like monosodium glutamate, sodium caseinate and yeast extract as well as foods containing nitrates used to preserve deli meats, which may trigger headaches.
Some individuals find that eliminating tyramine, an amino acid, from their diets helps alleviate migraine symptoms; similarly following a gluten-free diet for those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten intolerance is also effective in relieving their symptoms. Be sure to speak to your physician regarding which diet will best fit you; elimination diets may not work for everyone.
Get plenty of sleep
Migraines are intense, throbbing headaches that usually affect one side of the head and can make it painful to see bright lights or hear noises as well as cause nausea or vomiting. Migraine symptoms can last for as long as three days.
As much rest is important in order to prevent migraines, so is getting plenty of restful sleep. If you are having difficulty, try creating a soothing bedtime ritual, eliminating screens before sleeping and not snoring or grinding your teeth at night. Furthermore, exercise plays an essential role.
An effective way to prevent migraines is through eating regularly with small, frequent meals that include healthy options. Focus on maintaining a balanced diet while cutting back on foods that could trigger headaches like alcohol and caffeine, for instance. For those who suffer from allergies or sensitivities, keeping a journal about their headaches could help identify triggers more quickly.
