Migraines are severe, chronic headaches that may or may not be preceded by warning signs known as "aura." Common types of aura include eye pain, vision changes such as flashing lights or blurred vision, or tingling in the arms and legs. Migraines may be accompanied by other physical symptoms such as nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, sweating, neck pain, fatigue and chills. The migraine may last anywhere from hours to days. While migraine causes are not very well understood, there's a lot you can do to prevent them.
Step 1
Keep a journal to help identify what triggers your migraines. Write down when the migraine started, what you were doing beforehand, and anything unusual that may have contributed to it. Common triggers include food, hormonal changes, stress, sleep changes, weather changes, medications and unusual sensory input such as bright sunlight, loud sounds and strong smells.
Step 2
Identify and avoid the triggers that are within your control. For example, you can't do much to change the weather, but you can avoid foods that trigger migraines. You may not be able to completely eliminate stress at work or home, but you can take steps to reduce it, such as changing your work schedule or talking with loved ones about how to make the home environment less stressful.
Step 3
Discuss any medications you may be taking--especially medications containing estrogen, for women--with your doctor. If the medications are causing or worsening your migraines, changing or eliminating said medications should help prevent migraines.
Step 4
Get regular aerobic exercise such as walking, swimming or cycling. Warm up and cool down slowly, since jumping into sudden, intense physical exertion with no lead-in may actually trigger a migraine.
Step 5
Get plenty of sleep every night. Keep a log of how many hours' sleep you get to help hone in on how much time is best for you; getting too much sleep can trigger a migraine as easily as getting too little sleep, but once you figure out the right amount for you, you can stick to it and reduce your chances of developing a migraine.
Step 6
Practice relaxation techniques such as biofeedback, self-hypnosis, meditation or yoga. Alternatively, make sure to invest time in hobbies that you enjoy, such as gardening, knitting or listening to music.
