There are various medications available to reduce migraine attacks, from tablets, injections and nasal sprays, which are designed to lessen their frequency and intensity. They may also treat other health conditions like high blood pressure and depression.
Other strategies for preventing migraines may include taking certain herbal and dietary supplements like feverfew, butterbur and riboflavin (vitamin B2). Also making lifestyle changes such as eating at regular intervals without skipping meals and getting adequate rest may help.
Avoiding triggers
An active lifestyle can help lower the frequency of migraine attacks. This includes getting enough rest, exercising regularly and avoiding foods known to trigger headaches. Maintaining a migraine diary to record when symptoms arise can also aid in finding potential triggers; make note if your symptoms worsen after consuming certain foods or undergoing changes in routine.
Common triggers of migraine headaches include stress, food and additives, caffeine, alcohol consumption and bright lights or loud noises. Hormonal fluctuations like those experienced during menstruation may also play a part in setting off these symptoms.
Foods or beverages known to trigger migraines should be eliminated from your diet whenever possible, such as caffeine, nitrates (found in hot dogs and pepperoni), MSG or fatty foods. Though this may not always be feasible, speaking with your healthcare provider before cutting these items out entirely may help minimize migraine episodes.
Getting plenty of sleep
Sleep is essential as migraine attacks tend to worsen with fatigue. Regular exercise, proper nutrition and reduced stress levels all play an essential part. Maintaining a headache diary may help identify triggers and develop treatment plans more easily.
Avoid foods containing caffeine and other stimulants, like chocolate, which may trigger migraines. Also it’s wise to drink water regularly as dehydration can aggravate migraine symptoms. In addition, eating at a set time each day and not missing meals increases your risk for migraines.
Supplements such as magnesium, calcium and riboflavin may provide relief, though more research needs to be conducted in this area. Biofeedback may help control subconscious body functions. Before trying any treatments of this nature it’s wise to consult your physician first as they can provide recommendations with minimal risks of side effects as well as behavioral management techniques like relaxation training or biofeedback that could also be effective solutions.
Avoiding certain foods
Many migraine sufferers can identify certain foods as potential triggers for their headaches, such as cheese, chocolate or processed meats. These foods contain chemicals known to trigger headaches like tyramine and beta-phenylethylamine; furthermore they contain nitrates which may set off migraine attacks.
Not only should you avoid certain foods, it’s essential that you get enough sleep and avoid stress and anxiety as they can both trigger migraines. There are various techniques such as biofeedback, meditation and yoga which may help alleviate your stress.
Keep a diary to help identify migraine triggers. For instance, if a migraine attack typically strikes at around the same time each day, record what happened that day – you might discover patterns which help pinpoint potential triggers such as eating certain foods or not getting enough restful sleep.
If you suspect a particular food as being the source of your migraines, try cutting it from your diet for two weeks or so and see if your migraines reduce or disappear altogether.
Keeping a headache diary
Maintaining a headache diary can help identify possible triggers and monitor how well preventive medication is working. You can keep one using either paper, pen, an app, or smartphone notifications with automatic reminders to update.
Notes should include information such as pain type (throbbing or piercing), location on your head and symptoms such as nausea or sensitivity to light, sound, smell or movement (e.g. aura). You should also record what food was consumed when, and any restful sleep that occurred or not.
Write down all of this data regularly so you can evaluate your headache patterns, and assist your physician with diagnosing your condition.
