Intense, pulsing, or throbbing pain in one head area is referred to as a migraine. Vomiting, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound are possible additional symptoms. Maybe the day before you’re supposed to host out-of-town visitors, you get a migraine. Perhaps your migraines always begin on the first day of a new project, a holiday weekend, or a family vacation. Migraines can ruin even the best-laid plans because they occur suddenly and without warning.
Knowing your migraine triggers can help you take preventive measures to ensure that you are managing your migraines rather than exacerbating them, even though you cannot change your family history or age. Here are a few options for you:
- Regular exercise
Your body releases certain exercise chemicals that stop your brain from receiving pain signals. These substances also lessen depression and anxiety, two conditions that can exacerbate migraines.
Chronic headaches are also more likely in people who are obese. Keeping a healthy weight through exercise and diet can also help with migraine management. Choose an enjoyable activity if your doctor is on board. Cycling, swimming, and walking are frequently wise decisions. Remember that you should ease into exercise because intense exercise can cause migraines.
- Keep a headache journal
You might be able to identify your migraine triggers by keeping a diary. Keep track of the time your migraines begin, what you were doing when they did, how long they last, and anything that, if anything, relieves them. Up until recently, the best advice was to avoid migraine triggers. However, according to recent research, this might make people more sensitive to potential stimuli.
It might be more beneficial to gradually expose yourself to headache triggers and develop coping mechanisms for them using behavioral management techniques. These might include recognizing and combating negative thoughts, learning to relax, and stress management. More research is required to determine whether and how this method is more efficient at treating migraines.
- Have reliable lifestyle practices
A migraine is an issue with your environment and you. The best migraine sufferers I have are also serious about their lifestyle choices. It also entails going to bed, waking up at the same time each night, and eating meals simultaneously each day—exercise regularly and consistently. Sleep, wake-up, eat, and exercise are the routines that teach the brain how to anticipate events. Change irritates migraines. Your brain feels more secure when you maintain consistency.
- Attempt preventative measures
Consult your doctor about preventive medications if you have migraine triggers that you cannot avoid, such as a sensitivity to the weather or changes in barometric pressure. The newer preventive migraine medications have the power to alter lives. These drugs may lessen migraine pain and frequency, particularly if you get them frequently. It’s crucial to avoid taking medications for acute migraines every day as this can result in rebound headaches.
