Migraines are caused by the swelling of blood vessels in the brain when serotonin levels increase. Changes in weather or altitude, strong smells, bright lights and missed meals are just a few examples of what can trigger migraines. If you suffer from migraine headaches, you know they are incredibly painful and can be extremely debilitating. Help is available and there are things you can do to deal with migraine headaches when you get them.
Step 1
Learn relaxation techniques. Because serotonin is a chemical that affects your mood, being able to calm yourself down when you feel a migraine coming on prevents serotonin from rising rapidly and fueling a migraine.
Step 2
Take a prescription medication such as Imitrex (sumatriptan) or Treximet (mixture of sumatriptan and naproxen sodium) to relieve symptoms associated with migraines. Be sure to take these medications exactly as prescribed. It may be helpful to lie down or take a nap in a room with minimal light to reduce sensitivity.
Step 3
Neutralize your triggers to reduce your symptoms. If overexposure to light causes your migraines, go to a dark room, sit with your eyes closed and do some deep breathing for 15 minutes. If missing a meal triggers your migraines, be prepared by sticking to a meal schedule or keeping snacks handy if you can't eat a meal right away.
Step 4
Take a preventive drug such as Depakote or Topamax. Originally designed to treat seizures, these drugs are also effective in reducing the frequency of migraines.
Step 5
Work with your doctor to develop a treatment plan taking situational factors into account. For example, exercise is helpful to some people in preventing migraines, but certain exercises can bring on a migraine for others. Additionally, some women experience migraines as a result of increases of estrogen from birth control; talk to your doctor about what form of contraception is best for you.
