Migraines are a serious problem and can impair your everyday life. Although most people consider Migraines as just headaches, the truth is, they are far more intense than your average headache. A Migraine is a headache that causes severe throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation on one or both sides of the head. But the symptoms of Migraine are more wide-ranging. These can include but are not limited to nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. On top of variation in the intensity of Migraines, some individuals experience Migraine episodes that last only for hours, while others can experience symptoms for multiple days.
Thanks to modern medicine, many different Migraine treatment options are available today, like Rizatriptan UK. Migraine medications vary in effectiveness, and you may need to go through some trial and error before you can find the most effective treatment plan for yourself. However, the ideal scenario is to avoid a migraine before it even starts, as a kind of Migraine treatment at home. You can take several steps and make some life changes that can help you lower your chances of getting a Migraine.
Migraine Mechanism
To understand how you can avoid Migraines or minimize symptoms before you experience an episode, you need to understand how Migraines work. This can be done by identifying several things. Firstly, we will know what triggers to avoid. Secondly, we will understand what changes to make and where in our life. And lastly, we will understand how our environment plays a role in causing Migraines.
Pre-Migraine Symptoms
Below are common symptoms people have reported experiencing a day or two before they get an actual Migraine episode.
- Constipation
- Mood changes, from depression to euphoria
- Food cravings
- Neck stiffness
- Increased urination
- Fluid retention
- Frequent yawning
Sensory Disturbance
Some people experience visual disturbances right before a Migraine episode. These disturbances are usually a warning sign of an oncoming attack. The good news is that these are only temporary and usually end within an hour. In some cases, people experience non-visual disturbances as well.
- Seeing various shapes, bright spots or flashes of light
- Temporary Loss in Vision
- Prickling sensations in an arm or leg
- Weakness or numbness in the face or one side of the body
- Difficulty speaking
Migraine Episode
Below are some common symptoms of Migraine. These are just some of the few symptoms people commonly report, and it is normal to experience different or more intense symptoms depending on the severity of your Migraines.
- Throbbing or pulsing pain, usually on one or both sides of the head
- Sensitivity to light, sound, and sometimes smell and touch
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Post-Migraine
Migraines can take a large toll on the body and mind. People have reported feeling drained, confused, and washed out for up to a day.
Now that we have understood the symptoms of Migraines, we can move on to what changes you can make in your lifestyle to avoid Migraines entirely.
Diet and Supplementation
The diet goes a long way toward determining health outcomes. It is thus believed that Migraines can be prevented by avoiding certain foods or by eating more of certain types of foods. The science is still unsure, but several studies have shown a strong link between certain nutrients and Migraines.
A ketogenic diet which consists of food with high fat/low carbs, might prevent Migraines. Eating more omega-3 foods and fewer omega-6 ones can help reduce Migraines as these nutrients are known to decrease inflammation in your body. Foods that are heavily processed and foods with many added preservatives can be a trigger for some people as well. It is also good to moderate alcohol and caffeine in your diet to see changes in your symptoms.
Sleep
A lack of sleep plays a key role in causing Migraines. Disrupted sleep or insufficient sleep makes it hard for the body to go through its normal ‘rest and refresh’ process. This can lead to an increase in the frequency of Migraines. Therefore, to avoid Migraines one should practice sleeping at the exact same time every day and aim to get 7 to 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep every day.
Stress
Stress is one of the most reported triggers of Migraine. It may be because it causes a change in chemicals and hormones in the body. Although these hormones are responsible for preparing our body to face danger, often they can be the causes of Migraine. This then turns into an endless cycle where stress causes Migraines, which put more pressure on the body and mind. Hence, it is advised that you find a road to peace, away from stress. This road can be different for different people. For some, it may be exercise or yoga. For others, it may be deep breathing or mindfulness.
Triggers
Understanding your triggers in the pre Migraine and sensory disturbance stage is important. This can allow you to make changes in your environment to minimize triggers. For example, you can start to dim the lights in your room. Maybe lay down with your eyes covered in a cool, dark and quiet place. If your triggers are smell related, you can ensure no strong cleaning chemicals have been used in your environment.
Understanding the symptoms and causes of Migraine can go a long way toward minimizing Migraine episodes and can help you better understand which Migraine treatment works for you. However, if you think you suffer from extreme Migraine, it is best to visit your Doctor. They will guide you on a treatment plan and possibly prescribe you Migraine medication.
IQ Doctor
If you are looking for pharmaceutical options for Migraine medication, IQ Doctor is the place for you. It is a UK pharmacy fully licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to sell medicines online. IQ Doctor offers its customers a wide variety of Migraine treatment medications. You can visit their website and get a free consultation with a medical professional to determine what medicine may be suitable for you. Once you place your order, the medication will be shipped to you right away.