Migraine headaches are recurrent headaches that can be accompanied by sensitivity to light and sounds, nausea, vomiting, and such sensory warning signs as flashes of lights. The exact causes of these headaches are still not fully understood, but such neurotransmitters as dopamine and serotonin seem to play an important role in causing them. MedlinePlus, a publication of the National Institutes of Health states that migraines seem to run in families, and occur more frequently in women than men. Regardless of the cause, there are things you can do to ease your migraine headaches and try to prevent them.
Step 1
Make an appointment with a doctor if you suffer from migraine headaches. Although these headaches cannot be cured, the frequency and severity of the pain can be significantly reduced by prescription medicines.
Step 2
Make an appointment with an acupuncturist. According to the MayoClinic.com, acupuncture is quite effective in preventing and reducing migraine headaches.
Step 3
Try to treat your migraine symptoms as soon as they appear, MedlinePlus recommends. This is likely to make the headache less severe and of shorter duration.
Step 4
Turn down the lights and lay down as soon as you feel that you are getting a migraine headache. Many patients report that an ice gel back placed on the forehead seems to relief their symptoms.
Step 5
Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration. This is especially important if you have vomited. If you feel nauseated, you can try such medicines such as prochlorperazine.
Step 6
Try to sleep if you can. Rest relieves migraine headaches.
Tips and Warnings
- Having a healthy lifestyle with balanced nutrition, sufficient sleep and regular exercise program can help prevent migraine headaches. Chiropractic adjustment has been shown to prevent migraine headaches in some patients.
- Learn to recognize and avoid your migraine triggers. One good way to do this is to keep a headache diary. This diary should tell you when you had a migraine, how severe it was, whether you were stressed or tired when it started, and what you had been eating before the migraine started. Soon you will learn to recognize what causes your migraines. Certain foods, such as coffee, chocolate, sharp cheeses, wines, or nuts can trigger migraine headaches. Other common migraine triggers include some medications, stress, rapid changes in sleep patterns, and bright lights.
Things You'll Need
- Migraine medicines
- Ice gel back
- Quiet darkened room
- Water
