Lots of things can trigger amigraine, from hormonal changes to stress to certain foods.
Treating a migraine at the first sign is the quickest way to get relief.
This article provides strategies for what to do when you feel a migraine coming on.
Illustration by Laura Porter for Verywell Health
Try using a cold pack product or a bag of frozen veggies.
Turn the Lights Down
Many people who get migraines have an aversion to brightness.
It’s believed that certain cells may carry light signals to brain cells responsible for transmitting pain.
Ginger
Taking a ginger supplement may help reduce migraine symptoms.
Identify Triggers
The most simple way to prevent a migraine is to avoid what triggers them.
However, that means identifying the trigger, which can be challenging.
Try keeping a headache diary and noting the frequency, intensity, and duration of attacks.
Log what you discover is triggering the condition, and avoid triggers as much as possible.
Medication
Medications are at the front line of relieving migraine attacks.
Hydrate
Dehydration can be amigraine triggeror can make a migraine last longer.
Both too much of this substance or withdrawal from it can bring on migraines.
If withdrawal is causing your migraine, having caffeine may help.
But this will only continue the addiction cycle.
Try weaning yourself off of caffeine over time.
Evidence suggests that applying pressure on several points can help reduce nausea.
Take a Nap
Research suggests that going to sleep can stop a migraine.
No set amount of sleep time is known to be necessary, and every case varies.
One study found that napping during a migraine didn’t disrupt nightly sleep patterns.
What Causes Migraines?
Migraines can be set off by different stimuli, foods, and conditions for different people.
Fasting:Not eating for 16 hours or more can lead to afasting headache.
It also can trigger migraine headaches in people who have them.
Certain foods or products in them, like aspartame, also may cause headaches.
Hormonal changes:The fluctuation of estrogen levels triggered by menstrual periods or menopause is another common trigger.
Rapid hormonal shifts also occur when you take certain kinds ofbirth control pillsor undergohormone replacement therapy.
Atmospheric changes:Changing weather conditions, like humidity, can raise the risk of a migraine.
Some can be limited by lifestyle changes.
Keep in mind that migraines can be because of medication, including drugs to treat headache.
In some cases, chronic migraine and medication overuse headache (MOH) are now co-diagnosed together.
Who’s More Prone to Migraines?
Certain people are more prone to developing migraines.
Along with medications and medical treatments, lifestyle changes and other at-home strategies can play a crucial role.
Several types of preventative migraine medications may be prescribed.
When the condition is associated with the menstrual cycle, hormone replacement therapy may be attempted.
A comprehensive migraine management plan will also involve lifestyle changes and strategies to avoid triggers.
These may include:
Always check with your doctor before taking any new supplements.
Summary
There are many ways to attempt to ease a migraine.
Strategies include applying a cold pack, turning down the lights, taking medication, and drinking water.
Steps like making a plan and identifying triggers can help you prevent migraines from occurring.
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