You’ve heard it said a thousand times, “Prevention is the Best Cure”. In the case of migraine headaches, this is also the case. Migraine headaches can be debilitating to those who suffer from them. These effects of these headaches can last for up to 72 hours and beyond. While you may not be able to “cure” your tendency for a migraine headache, you can help to lessen the frequency and severity of their occurrence.
Identify Triggers to Cure a Migraine
To determine what triggers a migraine headache for you the best way to do this is to keep a diary. Documentation of the events surrounding and occurring during your migraine attack can help you identify possible triggers for them. If you are able to determine specific actions, foods or emotions that trigger an attack you can begin to gain some control over your migraine headaches.
A migraine headache diary should include an entry for each attack which describes the headache, the type of pain, where it was located, the time it began, how long the headache lasted, other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sensitivity to light, sound or smells and whether you had any warning of the headache such as an aura.
You should also include the number of hours of sleep you received the night previous to the attack, any stressful events that occurred in the days prior, what you ate prior to the attack and the activities you were doing in the day prior to and of the attack.
Prevention of Migraine Headaches
If you have done your homework and kept your migraine diary read over it and make note of common factors. Once you have identified factors that appear to bring on a migraine headache for you do what you can to eliminate it. This is a trial and error process, but it is well worth the effort to avoid the debilitating pain of a migraine headache.
If you notice symptoms of an impending migraine take action to stop it in its tracks. Taking some analgesics within the first few hours of an impending attack can help prevent or lessen the intensity of the attack. Many have found that taking 600mg of ibuprofen in the gel-cap form with a caffeinated soda can stop or reduce a migraine headache. Diet soda is not recommended because the artificial sweeteners can actually trigger migraines in many people. The theory of using gel caps with carbonated caffeine soda is that the gel caps dissolve quickly due to the carbonation entering the bloodstream faster than other forms. The caffeine in the beverage is beneficial for treating migraine headaches.
Treatment Options for Migraine Headaches
If you are not able to avoid the migraine headache try to minimize the effects and duration of the headache. You will need to treat the symptoms. You may require medication for pain, nausea or diarrhea. Try to lie down in a cool, quiet and darkened room and relax. Practice deep breathing exercises to improve oxygenation. Apply ice to the area at intervals for about 15 minutes. Some find relief by soaking in a hot bath while applying ice to their neck. Finding a treatment that works for you may take time, just as symptoms vary, effective treatments vary from person to person.
You’ve heard it said a thousand times, “Prevention is the Best Cure”. In the case of migraine headaches, this is also the case. Migraine headaches can be debilitating to those who suffer from them. These effects of these headaches can last for up to 72 hours and beyond. While you may not be able to “cure” your tendency for a migraine headache, you can help to lessen the frequency and severity of their occurrence.
Identify Triggers to Cure a Migraine
To determine what triggers a migraine headache for you the best way to do this is to keep a diary. Documentation of the events surrounding and occurring during your migraine attack can help you identify possible triggers for them. If you are able to determine specific actions, foods or emotions that trigger an attack you can begin to gain some control over your migraine headaches.
A migraine headache diary should include an entry for each attack which describes the headache, the type of pain, where it was located, the time it began, how long the headache lasted, other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sensitivity to light, sound or smells and whether you had any warning of the headache such as an aura.
You should also include the number of hours of sleep you received the night previous to the attack, any stressful events that occurred in the days prior, what you ate prior to the attack and the activities you were doing in the day prior to and of the attack.
Prevention of Migraine Headaches
If you have done your homework and kept your migraine diary read over it and make note of common factors. Once you have identified factors that appear to bring on a migraine headache for you do what you can to eliminate it. This is a trial and error process, but it is well worth the effort to avoid the debilitating pain of a migraine headache.
If you notice symptoms of an impending migraine take action to stop it in its tracks. Taking some analgesics within the first few hours of an impending attack can help prevent or lessen the intensity of the attack. Many have found that taking 600mg of ibuprofen in the gel-cap form with a caffeinated soda can stop or reduce a migraine headache. Diet soda is not recommended because the artificial sweeteners can actually trigger migraines in many people. The theory of using gel caps with carbonated caffeine soda is that the gel caps dissolve quickly due to the carbonation entering the bloodstream faster than other forms. The caffeine in the beverage is beneficial for treating migraine headaches.
Treatment Options for Migraine Headaches
If you are not able to avoid the migraine headache try to minimize the effects and duration of the headache. You will need to treat the symptoms. You may require medication for pain, nausea or diarrhea. Try to lie down in a cool, quiet and darkened room and relax. Practice deep breathing exercises to improve oxygenation. Apply ice to the area at intervals for about 15 minutes. Some find relief by soaking in a hot bath while applying ice to their neck. Finding a treatment that works for you may take time, just as symptoms vary, effective treatments vary from person to person.