How to Handle Migraines at Home?

Image by jcomp on Freepik If someone has frequently been getting moderate to intense headaches that are not similar to other headaches, they might be migraines. Migraines are intense pulsing headaches that occur with unbearable pain in the top of the head, forehead, around the eyes and neck. They often are accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. It is the body’s way of saying that something is not right. Taking care of migraines without medicines is difficult, especially while experiencing pain. Fortunately, there are a few home remedies that can help reduce the intensity of pain and the frequency of occurrence.

Move to a Darker and Quieter Place

Extreme noise and light can trigger migraines. Moreover, if someone is already experiencing a migraine attack, sitting in a well-lit space with outside noise can worsen it. So, try to move to a calm and dark place to reduce the pain.

Identify Triggers and Stay Away From Them

When the body is not comfortable with certain food items, environments or habits, it tells you through a migraine attack. So, try an elimination diet to determine which food item triggers an attack. Alternatively, if certain kinds of environment, such as pubs, traffic, high altitude, or a ruckus, cause migraines, one should stay away from them.

Use Essential Oils

Essential oils provide calming effects. When inhaled or applied on the site of pain, they calm the mind and reduce the pain. One can look into lavender oil and peppermint oil for better effects. Lighting candles infused with essential oils and showering in essential oil-infused water can help prevent migraine attacks and reduce the intensity of the pain.

Consume Enough Vitamin B2

Vitamin B2, or riboflavin, found in milk, cheese, and chicken, is known to prevent migraine attacks. People can either consume food rich in it or consume Vitamin B2 supplements.

Consume Enough Magnesium

Magnesium is a micronutrient known to have calming effects on the brain. It also prevents the synthesis of prostaglandins which are pain-causing biochemicals. So, one must get enough magnesium through diet or supplements. Magnesium also induces the synthesis of melatonin, which is responsible for sleep.

Get Adequate Sleep Every Night

Getting 7 to 8 hours of proper sleep every night is essential for the organs and the system to repair and function effectively. Our hormones are rejuvenated when we are asleep. So, providing ample and quality time for them to replenish prevents migraines and reduces the pain.

Practice Yoga/meditation

Practicing mindful yoga regularly keeps one focused and helps eliminate outside noise. It helps people stay in the present and not give in to things happening around them. Yoga or meditation for at least 10 minutes a day can positively affect migraine. Try practising yoga for three weeks and notice the difference.

Work Out Regularly

Working out regularly increases the endorphins in the brain. Endorphins make one feel good and reduce the impact of stress on the body. They also help sleep better. But, people must avoid working out while experiencing a migraine attack.

Ice Packs Go a Long Way

Pain produces heat in the body. Placing ice packs on the spots where one experiences pain provides great relief.

Drink Ginger Tea

Ginger is the go-to spice to provide relief from headaches and digestive issues. It provides anti-inflammatory effects, reduces the production of prostaglandins and helps reduce pain. So, try to sip on hot ginger tea whenever possible.

Acupuncture

It is an age-old practice of stimulating the nerves of a particular target organ. It can help prevent the occurrence of migraine attacks and also reduce the intensity of pain.

Drink Caffeinated Coffee or Tea

Caffeine is often believed to be bad for overall health. But, with migraines, caffeine can work wonders. People can sip a cup of coffee or tea to relax their minds, especially when experiencing pain. It improves mood and helps with pain symptoms.

Stay Hydrated

Water has miraculous effects on every part of the body. Drinking an adequate amount of water daily ensures that the organs get enough nutrients and blood supply. Moreover, dehydration can cause irritability and give way to a migraine attack.

Stay Low on Alcohol

Along with other ill effects of alcohol on the body, it is also said to worsen migraine. So, one must limit alcohol consumption as much as possible.

Avoid Food Items That Contain Histamine

Histamine is a protein that stimulates an immune response. So, if people consume foods that contain histamine, their bodies will respond through a migraine attack. Avoid fermented foods, old cheese, beer, wine, and smoked fish.

When to see a doctor?

If the home remedies do not work or one gets frequent migraine attacks and finds it difficult to identify triggers, they can always speak to a migraine specialist. People must try to reach out to them if they experience other symptoms, along with migraines, before it gets too late.

Takeaway

Migraines can be very uncomfortable but try the above techniques, and they can become manageable.