3 ways to ease migraine pain
Did you know, over 10 million people living in the U.K are affected by migraines? From an increased sensitivity to light, noises and certain smells, to nausea, vomiting and blurred vision, there are many different migraine symptoms and everyone experiences them differently. No matter what your symptoms are, if you’ve ever experienced a migraine, you’ll know just how debilitating they can be. There’s no rhyme or reason to what can bring on a migraine, but excessive screen time certainly does not help. During the pandemic, the average person spent around 13 hours a day on digital devices! In this digital age of remote working, online shopping and Zoom calls, cutting back on screen time isn’t always practical. Here, I’ve put together 3 top tips to ease migraine pain and keep on track with your daily routine.
Understanding your triggers will help ease migraine pain
The exact cause of migraines is unknown, but there are certain emotional, hormonal, dietary and environmental triggers that can be unique to the individual sufferer. For example, if your migraines often strike after a strenuous gym session, it’s very likely that they are caused by the intense physical exertion.
For some migraine triggers, such as bright lights and flickering screens, it’s tricky to determine whether this is a cause or symptom, as migraines and increased light sensitivity often come hand in hand. Keeping a ‘headache diary’ can help you to establish certain patterns in what you were doing, how you were feeling, and even what you had eaten in the hours before your migraine took hold. Not only will this allow you to recognise your triggers, it will also be useful information for your doctor.
Find out what pain management works for you
If you’ve ever had a migraine, you’ve probably been told to lie down in a darkened room and try your best to go to sleep. But what do you do if you’re on the move? With a severe migraine, traditional painkillers like paracetamol don’t always cut it. Your doctor will be able to recommend the best medication for you, but there’s also plenty of natural remedies that you can try. A tens device like Paingone Qalm can be worn directly on the forehead, delivering drug-free pain relief and preventative treatments.
It’s important to consider long-term migraine management to ease migraine pain. Finding outlets for stress release such as meditation, yoga, or taking a warm bath, can lower your stress hormones and keep your migraines at bay. Many migraine sufferers also recommend drinking plenty of water, reducing screen time where possible, and bringing a trusty pair of sunglasses out and about with you.
Take time to rest and recover
A migraine attack can last between a few hours to a few days, so it’s no surprise that you may feel incredibly drained of energy in the days that follow. It can be tempting to want to jump straight back into your busy day to day life, but be careful to avoid any high-stress situations.
A healthy routine can reduce the frequency of your migraines. Whether it’s set meal times or a regular sleep cycle, your body likes to know what’s coming next. Nourish yourself by staying hydrated and eating lots of fruit and vegetables that are high in vitamins and antioxidants.
Remember, every migraine is different and there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to living with them. Migraine pain management is all about learning what works best for your triggers, and finding out how to effectively manage your symptoms.
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Great advice, I do suffer from migraines at times and could do with following these suggestions and taking time out to rest.
Thanks for the article. Some good ideas.
I get migraines once every couple of months and I hate the feeling of it starting and knowing there is nothing I can do to stop it. The only slight relief I feel is going outside in cold air.
I don’t get migraines but my daughter suffers terribly with them. She has tried most things but just lying down in a darkened room seems to be the only thing that works, she just has to wait for it to pass
very useful article, i have been diagnosed with migraines and i use a lot of the techniques mentioned here.
Brilliant post! My triggers are usually flashing/blinking lights, and strong smells (often spray deodorant, bleach, candles etc), so it’s fairly easy to steer clear of them for the most part.
As a child I had chronic migraines, and rest was always my go-to. I HAD to sleep, otherwise I’d just be suffering terribly. So 100% agree with resting. If you’re like how I was, though, vomiting is part and parcel of migraines. Nibbling at plain toast after a long nap helped me recover.