Migraine headaches are worse than your typical headache. Here’s how you can treat your next migraine and maybe even prevent it from happening at all.
If you’ve never had a migraine, you might think that it’s just another headache. But for anyone who has ever had the displeasure of experiencing one, they know that it is much worse. Migraines often mean pounding, excruciating pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound. One migraine sufferer, Elizabeth, described it like this:
“I first start to feel tightness and pain in my neck…Then the pain starts, usually over one eye, and it feels like my head is going to explode.”
It doesn’t sound like fun, and it definitely isn’t. To make things worse, there really isn’t a cure for these terrible headaches. At least, not one that works for everyone. Sufferers will have to figure out for themselves what works for them in order to treat their migraine headaches.
To help you do that, we’ve compiled a few different tips. Here’s what you can try.
Find a Natural Remedy for Migraines that Works for You and Is Safe to Use
Right now, you can search the internet for natural migraine remedies. If you can find any that are backed up by scientific research, you may want to try them for yourself. For instance, this study published in 2010 found that peppermint and menthol, when applied to the forehead and temples, can help to stop a migraine when it has begun forming.
Make sure that you consult with your doctor before trying any remedies to ensure that they are safe.
Turn Off the Lights
Some migraine sufferers report that bright or flickering lights can act as a trigger for a migraine headache. If you are already experiencing a migraine, lights can cause more pain because you are more sensitive to light during an episode.
If you are in the middle of a migraine or feel one coming on, find a dark, quiet place where you can relax.
Avoid Stress
Stress is another trigger that many people say can lead to a migraine. When you are stressed out, your muscles are probably tense, which can turn into a migraine headache if you don’t try to relax.
It’s critical to try to find a way to ease your stress. Some people exercise, others go for walk. Some like to paint or watch movies or meditate. Whatever works for you, go for it!
Keep a Migraine Journal
No two people experience migraines in exactly the same way. The best method for finding out what triggers your migraines and what helps alleviate them is to start keeping a migraine journal. Your migraine journal is a place where you can write about everything about your migraines.
When you begin to feel a migraine forming, get your journal and note what you were doing and where you were when you first noticed symptoms. When your migraine passes, write down how long it lasted, what you did to make it stop, and whether and to what degree your chosen remedy worked.
Keeping this journal will build a record that you can reference to find potential triggers and remedies that you can use for future headaches.
Talk to a Medical Professional about Your Migraine Headaches
Are you tired of losing hours or even days to your migraines? Get in touch with me so that we can discuss your symptoms and possible treatment options.