As someone who has suffered from migraines for most of my life, I know how absolutely horrible they are. The feeling of something being inside of your head pounding away. Between the pain and your extreme sensitivity to light and sound, all you can do is lie down and pray that it passes.
Migraines can be incredibly serious, so it’s vital that you know how to not only treat them but also recognize the signs of an impending headache. Although a lot of people think migraines are just an intense form of a headache, they are anything but that. Some symptoms that accompany a migraine are:
- Pulsing or throbbing sensation in one area of the head. These are mostly felt on either one side or the other, behind the eye(s), or behind the head.
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- The sensation of tingling in legs or arms
These are no joke, and they are very painful and debilitating.
Triggers
Medication – oral contraceptives can be a huge trigger.
Foods – For myself a trigger is cinnamon. Anything that has cinnamon in it will give me an instant migraine. Weird I know.
Low/Non-Consumption of food – This is also a trigger for myself, as I get low blood sugar so when I fast or haven’t eaten this can be a trigger for migraines to appear.
Hormonal – Most women will experience this as a trigger right before they are to begin their menstruation.
Stress – THIS IS A HUGE TRIGGER!
Sensory Stimuli – Bright lights, sun glare, loud noises, anything that overtaxes the nervous system
FRAGRANCES! – I am so thankful that a lot of places are going scent-free. I don’t know how many times I’ve gone to a place and left with a migraine because someone decided to throw on half a bottle of perfume/cologne.
Preventing Migraines
Avoid those bright lights and loud noises. These are what over-stimulate your nervous system. And will more than likely risk you getting a migraine.
Watching what you eat is also important. After a migraine attack try to think about what you had eaten that may have set it off. If you keep a log of this information you will be able to narrow it down to what food may or may not trigger your migraine.
Develop a habit of your sleeping and eating habits. Fatigue is a huge onset of migraines, so be mindful of how much rest you get, and eating small meals regularly may prevent a migraine attack from forming.
I know this one may seem easier said than done, but try to limit stress in your life. Stress isn’t something we can always avoid, but try to limit stress as much as possible. Your health matters, so if you have to take the necessary steps to make sure you are comfortable then you must take the steps to do so.
Natural Remedies
Lavender Oil
Not only does this smell beautiful, it’s an amazing aromatherapy treatment to help you relax. This is in the back pocket of a migraine sufferer.
Using lavender oil as a treatment for migraine headaches is definitely the way to go to help alleviate your migraine.
Using a diffuser is the best way to administer the lavender oil. Inhaling it will make it act very quickly, which helps for a rapid migraine pain relief. Some people rub it on their temples and wrist. Some like to put it in the bath – taking a warm bath can help to promote blood flow and can reduce your migraine.
Peppermint Oil
This is yet another awesome essential oil that can help combat migraines. Inhaling it just like the lavender oil is your sure fire way to help you feel better fast. Some people have found that putting it on their temples was a fast way to relieve a migraine and it typically worked within 15 minutes.
Sweet Basil Oil
This little oil is packed full of helpful benefits. This is great to help with digestive issues, our immune system and our nervous system which is a huge factor for a migraine sufferer. Burning it in an oil burner or using a reed diffuser can do wonders to reduce the pain of your headache.
Cold Compress
This is my personal favorite, and my freezer is stocked full of these. Putting this little ice pack on the base of your neck which targets the carotid arteries, helped reduce the pain of migraines within 30 minutes.
If you feel a migraine coming on, get that ice pack out of the freezer and apply it to the back of your neck.
Magnesium
Taking 200-600 mg of magnesium a day can reduce the frequency of migraine attacks. Dietary sources of magnesium can be found in beans, whole grains, seeds, nuts, and veggies like broccoli, squash, and leafy greens.
B-Complex Vitamins
Many B vitamins are involved in the formation of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin. Try taking one B-complex vitamin a day, as the benefits go beyond headache relief.
Cayenne Muscle Rub
Cayenne pepper can stimulate your body’s circulation and reduce acidity and it makes for a surprising headache remedy.
Stay Hydrated
Water is your best friend, drink as much H20 as you can. Especially when a migraine is already present. Dehydration is another trigger for those of us who suffer this.
These natural remedies won’t only help you relieve your migraine, it will also help keep you worry-free of any side effects that drug store medications might have. Granted I’m not saying that sometimes all you need is an Advil or a prescription that was filled by your doctor, but trying out these remedies will help you get a better grasp onto what you can do to battle these migraines. You can use all or some, with the conjunction of an over the counter pain reliever or one that was prescribed. Our journey is different but one in the same as well. Try these out and I hope you find some relief in your migraine journey because these are not fun to have.
KHO Health was acquired by was acquire by 9INE POINT in the summer of 2019 and is now referred to as 9INE POINT Health.
