Migraine headaches usually occur on one side of the head and may last for several hours or days. Patients describe the pain as throbbing, pulsing and debilitating. Nausea, vomiting, an aura or visual disturbances may also be associated with the headache, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Patients who have frequent migraine headaches may be able to prevent future attacks by identifying and eliminating triggers such as certain foods, odors and irritants, stress, bright lights or noises, as well as living a healthy lifestyle and taking preventive medication, if prescribed.
Step 1
Keep a headache journal or diary, advises the National Headache Organization. Record information about the headache, including the date, time, duration, location, nature and severity, and any associated symptoms such as an aura, visual disturbances or nausea and vomiting.
Step 2
Identify possible triggers by documenting your food, alcohol consumption, stress, activity, sleep patterns and exposure to irritants such as smoke, odors or noise. Often, patients find that two conditions must be present before a migraine is triggered, such as fatigue and smoking, so pay attention to correlating symptoms, suggests the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Step 3
Avoid foods, odors, activities, conditions and substances that seem to trigger headaches. Quit smoking, limit alcohol intake, change your diet and wear sunglasses whenever you go outside to eliminate exposure to bright lights. Continue recording headaches as you make these changes.
Step 4
Practice a healthy lifestyle. Eat a balanced diet, exercise and get enough sleep.
Step 5
Reduce stress in your life and learn relaxation techniques. Consider bio-feedback, counseling, meditation, yoga or hypnosis as possible solutions, suggests MayoClinic.com. Exercise can also assist in reducing stress.
Step 6
Take preventive medications as directed by your health care provider. A variety of drugs, including blood pressure medications, serotonin re-uptake inhibitors and selective norepinephrine uptake inhibitors, may be prescribed daily for migraine prevention, reports the National Institutes of Health.
Tips and Warnings
- If a migraine starts, immediately take steps to treat it before it becomes severe. Drink plenty of water, place a cool cloth on your head and lie down in a darkened room, suggests the National Institutes of Health.(Ref. 5) If the headache is mild, try aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen, but you may experience rebound headaches if you take these medications frequently. Medications available to stop migraine headaches include triptans, ergots and isometheptene. Other medications may be prescribed for nausea, vomiting and other associated symptoms. (Ref. 5) Foods that may trigger migraines include chocolate, cheese, dairy, baked goods, certain fruits, nuts, onions, peanut butter and processed or marinated foods. MSG, tyramines and nitrates in food can also lead to a migraine. (Ref. 5)
- Women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant should not take migraine medication containing ergots, according to the National Institutes of Health. (Ref. 5)
Things You'll Need
- Sunglasses
- Journal
- Medication, prescription or over-the-counter, optional
