Migraine Relief:
The American Migraine Foundation recommends taking your medication during the prodromal phase of the attack. A prodrome is a warning sign such a good point that a migraine is developing. Treating your symptoms in the early stages is your best chance at avoiding a more severe migraine.
Applying firm, but not painful, circular pressure to the LI-4 point using the opposite hand for 5 minutes may relieve headache pain. In a 2015 review of studies, which is an update of a previous 2004 study, the authors concluded that larger studies are needed to support the use of feverfew for treating migraine. There is some evidence that acupressure’a traditional Chinese medical approach involving applying pressure on a specific part of the body’may help you manage the pain. Many people who get migraines have an aversion to brightness.
Still, you don’t want to put pressure on your abdomen, certain points in your leg, or your lower back. Talk to your healthcare provider about acupressure benefits, risks, and alternatives before any treatment. Your rescue meds won’t start working the second you take them’and you might feel desperate for relief until they do, Dr. Preston says. As SELF has previously reported, cold therapy’like sliding one of those TikTok-famous ice caps over your head’can sometimes help. Some nasal spray triptans, for instance, can start to relieve discomfort in as little as 15 minutes.
Pain can result in huge disability, as evident from the fact that migraine was the second leading cause of disability worldwide, according to the Global Burden of Disease study in 2019. After a cluster period, you’ll immediately experience a pain-free period known as remission, which can last anywhere from weeks to years. A recent study published in The Journal of Headache and Pain is the first to provide an objective marker for muscle involvement. Of course, this is often easier said than done, and you might need to take a few more steps to feel sleepy again. Such foods have a low glycemic load, meaning that a typical portion of the food raises blood glucose levels a small to moderate amount. In contrast, foods such as white rice and highly processed breakfast cereals tend to raise blood glucose levels more and faster.
OTC options include acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen and combination medications like acetaminophen with aspirin and caffeine. For some people with migraines, beer and wine, especially red wine, can be a trigger. And in other cases, consuming too much caffeine can also cause a migraine. Anywhere between 100 milligrams and 150 milligrams of caffeine a day ‘ about a cup of coffee ‘ is typically tolerated. First and foremost, making lifestyle or behavioral changes can help with migraines. That means exercising more, reducing your screen time and getting proper amounts of sleep.
For these individuals, stretching the neck can be helpful, says Dr. Hindiyeh. It may take 2-3 months to know if your preventive medication is working. Taking over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin, acetaminophen and ibuprofen can aggravate how often you have migraines. Migraines can be caused by factors like dehydration, certain foods or even changes to barometric pressure or weather. Stress, anxiety or depression can also increase how often these headaches occur.
Your migraines are sometimes set off by the food you eat or the conditions around you. Some common trouble spots on the menu are red wine, aged cheese, and cured meats. Bright lights, staying at a high altitude, and strong odors can also be issues. Once you identify a trigger, you can take steps to avoid it.
Researchers aren’t sure of the exact cause of migraines, but studies show genetics play a role. Every migraine is different, and you won’t necessarily experience symptoms during all four stages of every migraine. If you need help finding a primary care doctor, then check out our FindCare tool here. Things like extreme stress, a change in sleeping habits, and even strenuous physical activity have been linked to migraine. If you’re feeling anxious or depressed, consider joining a support group or seeking counseling. Until recently, avoiding migraine triggers was considered the best advice.
Migraine can’t be cured, but your doctor can help you manage migraine attacks by giving you the tools to treat symptoms when they occur, which may lead to fewer attacks in general. If they’re not treated or don’t respond to treatment, they can last for as long as 72 hours to a week. In migraine with aura, pain may overlap with an aura or may never occur at all. The diagnosis of migraine is determined based on clinical history, reported symptoms, and by ruling out other causes. The most common categories of migraine headaches (or attacks) are episodic versus chronic, and then those without aura and those with aura.
If your headaches worsen after long periods without food or begin shortly after meals, she suggests switching to carbohydrates that will keep your blood sugar levels more stable. So depending on the person, a serving of dark chocolate might be enough to ease a caffeine withdrawal headache. Getting enough fluids is important for all aspects of health, including migraine, more info says Brown. About one in three people with migraine say dehydration is a trigger, according to the American Migraine Foundation. Looking for a quick and easy snack that could help stave off a migraine attack or an episode of hypoglycemia, which could lead to a headache? Reach for a banana rather than highly processed foods like granola bars or candy, suggests Brown.
A 2021 review of three clinical trials found that ginger powder was safe and effective in treating people with migraine. In comparison to control groups, it significantly reduced pain after 2 hours. If your migraine attacks or episodes don’t respond to home remedies, it’s important to talk with a doctor. Visit a doctor if your symptoms are severe, frequent, or interfere internet with your daily life. A 2020 review of studies published in the journal Phytotherapy Research examined the ability of various herbal treatments, including lavender therapy for migraine. The authors found mixed or limited evidence to support the use of butterbur and feverfew for treating migraine but didn’t note that current research supports the use of lavender.
Alternative migraine therapies can work alongside traditional treatments to reduce migraine attack frequency and lessen the impact of symptoms. Until they’re older teens, children may be more likely to have symptoms on both sides of the head. It’s rare for children to have headache pain in the back of the head. If you experience a migraine attack, your doctor may ask you to keep a headache journal. Writing down what you were doing, what foods you ate, and what medications you took before your migraine attack began can help identify your triggers.
It’s critical to have a support network of understanding people who can not only check in on you but also empathize with your experience. Then consider joining our Move Against Migraine support group on Facebook so you can connect with others who live with migraine. A simple web search can result in an overwhelming amount of information, but use caution with any home remedy you come across on the internet.