Migraines
A migraine is a condition in which a person experiences severe, throbbing headaches, associated with nausea, and other symptoms such as sensitivity to light or sound. Nobody actually knows what causes migraines, but it’s known to run in families. Prevention is always better than cure, and fortunately, migraines can be prevented. There are a number of steps one can take to prevent it or lessen its impact. If you’re experiencing chronic pain in Santa Monica, California, visit GreenBridge Medical for comprehensive and personalized chronic pain treatment.
Taking Medication
Preventative medications for migraines are only available by prescription. Talk to your doctor about them if your migraines are severe and frequent. The most preventative medications have serious side effects, thus they should be taken under a doctor’s supervision. They include cardiovascular medication, anti-seizure medications, antidepressants and cannabis, which is a traditional remedy for migraines.
Most women who suffer from migraines are most likely to develop the symptoms during menstruation, pregnancy or menopause. Scientists think it may have something to do with fluctuating hormones. Pre-period migraines can be prevented by using oral contraceptives with estrogen in them.
Lifestyle Changes
Adjusting your lifestyle can help prevent migraines. Eat protective foods such as a well-balanced diet of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and quality proteins. These foods contain magnesium, which relaxes blood vessels, ensuring body cells function in a proper way, and Vitamin B which prevents migraines, as well as omega-3 fatty acids.
Tobacco is a known migraine stimulant, and one migraine preventive measure is to quit smoking. If you need help quitting, talk to your physician about strategies you can adopt. Limit your alcohol intake as alcohol contains a trigger ingredient known as tyramine. Lastly, avoid stress through the use of relaxation techniques such as meditation, breathing, and yoga.
Control Common Triggers
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can cause migraines. It’s brought on by eating too many refined carbohydrates or by lack of nutrients in your diet. To counter this, eat small, frequent meals without skipping any meal throughout the day. Instead of eating refined carbohydrates, eat whole grains, and add fresh fruits and vegetables, to keep the blood sugar stable.
Avoid any food that contains tyramine or nitrites as they release chemical substances in your brain, which lead to headaches. Foods that contain these compounds include eggplants, potatoes, bacon, ham, red wine, beer, and aged cheese, among others. In addition to that, stay hydrated and avoid exposure to intense stimuli like flashing lights, or loud noises.
Recognize Signs of a Migraine
Speak to your doctor about your headaches if you’ve never been officially diagnosed with migraines. Severe headaches could be a sign of a more serious issue such as a brain tumor, and the doctor will rule out all possible causes before treating migraines.
Some people are more prone to migraines than others are. They are most common in people between the ages of 10 to 40 and tend to lessen as you approach your fifties. If a parent has migraines, the child has a very high chance of having the problem. Migraines come in phases and the first is called prodrome phase. It can start up to 24 hours before the migraine begins. When you notice prodrome symptoms, take extra precautions like avoiding triggers, to prevent or lessen the impact. These signs include mood changes including irritability, depression and euphoria, increased thirst, and restlessness.