Dealing with recurring painful migraine episodes is always disabling. However, you can overcome this with some strategies that involve home remedies and medications. These strategies not only improve your symptoms but may help you prevent them. Learn about the best strategies to relieve migraine symptoms in this article. Log on to www.doralhw.org for a consultation.
Strategies for Migraine Relief
To relieve migraine, a combination of home remedies and medications are used.
Home remedies
Here are some home remedies you can use to relieve migraine pain and prevent it from getting worse. It includes:
- Cold compress: Cold therapy has been popular in treating migraine for more than 100 years, however, scientific studies don’t know exactly how it works. Some theories suggest that cold therapy can constrict blood vessels or slow the nerve signals that are involved in migraine pain. Experts have found that using ice bands around the neck or ice applied at the onset of migraine can significantly reduce the perception of migraine pain. You need to try what works best for you to use a cold compress. Some people use ice packs to the head for soothing, numbing relief, which is helpful if the sun or heat triggers your migraine.
- Make diet changes: A person should try to make changes in their diet which may help to prevent migraine episodes. For some people, specific foods trigger migraines, which can be prevented. Here are some common foods that can trigger migraine include:
- Processed meats
- Alcohol
- Chocolate
- Caffeine
You can try to identify potential migraine triggers by keeping a symptom journal to find triggers and look for patterns.
- Stay hydrated: According to the American Migraine Foundation, around ⅓ of people with migraine say dehydration can trigger migraine episodes. Research also found proper hydration can lower the risk or prevent headache pain. In a study, people who drank their recommended daily water intake had headaches that were less frequent, severe, and shorter in duration. So, you should drink enough water throughout the day to prevent migraine episodes from occurring. Taking small sips of water may also help you manage some migraine symptoms such as nausea.
- Try caffeine: For some people, coffee may trigger a migraine episode, while for others caffeine can stop their migraine symptoms. Additionally, some people find that drinking a caffeinated beverage may provide mild relief after they experience a migraine attack. However, a 2020 review found that caffeine overdose may lead to more frequent migraine symptoms and sudden caffeine withdrawal may trigger migraine attacks. So, if you are going to use caffeine to prevent migraine episodes, make sure you are aware of the amount of caffeine you consume. Drinking too much can cause withdrawal headaches later. Drink caffeine in moderation by limiting it to 200 milligrams of caffeine daily to get benefits without any problems.
- Massage: A massage is a good way to relax muscles in the neck and shoulders relieve tension and alleviate migraine pain. One study found that 8 out of 10 people had their headache pain cut in half with just one massage treatment, and most of them found immediate relief. Massages also help to reduce stress. So, you should try getting a massage from a professional massage therapist or try some massage-based exercises at home. For example, take a tennis ball and stand against a wall to roll it with some pressure on your shoulders and then on your back.
- Vitamins: B vitamins are found useful in lowering migraine frequency and severity. They play an essential role in regulating neurotransmitters in the brain. A 2021 review found that vitamin B2 at 400 mg daily for 3 months can significantly improve the days, duration, frequency, and pain of migraine episodes.
Vitamin D may also lower the frequency of migraine episodes. A 2018 study found that people with migraine and vitamin D deficiency experience more days with migraine pain than others without the deficiency. B vitamins are water-soluble, so they pass via the urine (if you get extra). For this reason, a person can’t take too many. However, before introducing new vitamin supplements in your routine you should consult with your doctor.
- Eat ginger: Ginger is one of those foods that help you get rid of migraine pain. A new study found that ginger can reduce migraine pain significantly in 2 hours, along with nausea and vomiting that might happen due to migraine. While most studies used ginger powders, all kinds of ginger products may offer relief, including teas and candies.
Medications
Many types of medications can be used to stop migraine attacks. These medications help ease the pain and other symptoms as well. Generally, the doctor’s first-choice medications involve a combination of NSAIDs, triptans, and anti-nausea medications. Here are some medications in detail.
- NSAIDs: This medicine is popular for relieving moderate headache pain and inflammation. Many NSAIDs are inexpensive and can be bought without a prescription, but some require a prescription to buy. All of the NSAIDs work well for migraines and are even better than acetaminophen. However, some NSAIDs may cause gastrointestinal side effects. That’s why it’s given in combination with triptans and anti-nausea medications to manage its side effects and increase its effectiveness.
- Acetaminophen: This is a common OTC pain medication that is used to block pain signals in the brain to relieve pain. Unlike NSAIDs, acetaminophen can’t reduce inflammation and other symptoms. Sometimes, you may need high doses to treat pain symptoms because they are less effective than NSAIDs in treating migraines, but they can lead to liver injury. So, you should be careful with the dosage used.
- Triptans: This medicine is used to stop migraines in progress. It is only recommended if NSAIDs are not useful. It also reduces severe inflammation and pain during a migraine along with other symptoms like nausea and sensitivity to light. It works well with NSAIDs and anti-nausea medications. However, it is not prescribed for people with cardiovascular disease and long-term use. Some people may experience several side effects with medications like jaw tightness or fatigue.
- Antiemetics (anti-nausea medication): These medications are only prescribed when nausea and vomiting occur with your migraine to relieve those symptoms. It will block signals in the brain that manage nausea and vomiting. Anti-nausea medication is often given in combination with NSAIDs and triptans. Usually, they work well before nausea and vomiting become severe.
Managing migraine symptoms can be difficult when you need to deal with severe pain, nausea, and vomiting. However, with the combination of medications and home remedies, you can manage your migraine symptoms and prevent it from getting worse.
If your migraine episodes are frequent and severe, contact your healthcare professional or visit our neurologist in Brooklyn clinic to get professional medical help. Our doctors ensure you get the best treatment and give you lifestyle tips to manage your migraine better. Call at -_______________________ to book your appointment now!!!
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