Migraine pain can be debilitating, but simple steps can help prevent it. Avoid foods and medications that can trigger headaches. Use over-the-counter analgesics such as aspirin and acetaminophen (Tylenol). You can also try prescription medicines that stop migraines, including triptans.
Take a Warm Bath or Shower
A warm bath or shower may ease the pain by relaxing tense muscles. It can also reduce the nausea that sometimes accompanies migraines.
Stay hydrated: Migraines can be made worse by dehydration. You can help prevent this by drinking 2 liters of water daily. Try carrying a water bottle with you on errands or at work.
Eliminate possible triggers: If a certain food or activity triggers your headache, make a log to figure out what it is. You can then avoid the triggers.
Be aware of the aura phase: It can begin up to 24 hours before your migraine starts and includes early signs and symptoms like food cravings, mood changes, uncontrollable yawning, vision changes (like flashing lights or zig-zag lines), or muscle weakness.
Ask your general practitioner (GP) about prescription medicines to prevent migraines. These are called prophylactic medicines. If you have frequent migraines and over-the-counter medications don’t help, a migraine treatment Jacksonville FL could help you with more advanced therapies.
Place a Cold Compress on Your Head or Neck
Ice packs have a numbing effect and can relieve pain. A simple store-bought ice pack laid across the front of your neck or up along your forehead may help. You can keep it there for 10 to 15 minutes and move it around or replace it as needed. A cold shower or bath can relax tense muscles. Some people use a special head ice cap that fits over the head. Other studies have used an adjustable neck wrap to hold ice in the area of the carotid arteries in the front of the neck, which is thought to reduce blood flow and relieve migraines. If over-the-counter medicines don’t help, a GP can prescribe stronger pain medicine. These include ergotamine, dihydroergotamine and triptans such as sumatriptan, zolmitriptan, naratriptan and eletriptan. It’s important to take these only under a doctor’s supervision and always follow dosage recommendations. You can also ask for a prescription for an anti-nausea medicine. Keeping a diary can help your GP identify things that trigger your migraines, such as certain foods and drinks, lights (including flashing ones) and smells.
Massage Your Painful Areas
A warning symptom called an aura comes before the headache for many migraine sufferers. It may include visual disturbances, like seeing lines, a kaleidoscope or blurry spots, and sensitivity to light, sound and smells. Stress and sleep problems are known triggers for migraines. Getting enough sleep and relaxing in the right way can help prevent migraines.
Some people have migraines that do not involve head pain, called “silent migraines.” These migraines have the same symptoms as a traditional migraine but without pain. Using pain relievers too often- whether prescribed or over-the-counter- can worsen migraines, a medication overuse headache. It’s important to talk to your doctor before changing any headache medicines. They may prescribe a prescription medicine called triptan to stop your migraine in its early stages.
Get Plenty of Rest
While the pain of a migraine can be intense, sleep can help ease the symptoms. You can go to a dark, quiet place and try to get some rest. Sleep may also make headache medicines like acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen more effective. There are relaxation techniques such as yoga positions and deep breathing or meditation to help you calm down before bed. Some people may also find relief from nonprescription pain relievers. They should be taken as soon as possible during a migraine. These include ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or naproxen. You can also use a headache diary to determine when the migraines happen and what seems to cause them. Migraine triggers are thought to be both genetic and environmental. For example, if one parent has a history of migraines, you have a 50% chance of getting them yourself. Other factors contributing to migraines are a family history of other health conditions such as depression, anxiety, heart disease, hormone changes — particularly during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or hormonal birth control — and medications, including antidepressants and blood pressure medicines.