How to prevent migraine before they happen?
According to the Migraine Research Foundation, more than 39 million people experience migraine headaches. If you are one of these people, you know that sometimes this pain can cause the following symptoms: nausea, dizziness, vomiting, sensitivity to light, sound and smell.
By identifying specific symptoms and triggers and avoiding them, you can reduce your chances of getting a migraine.
- Avoid loud noises and very bright lights
- Loud noises, flashing lights, are common migrain headache triggers. Avoiding these triggers can be difficult, but a little caution can be done.
- Do not drive at night so as not to encounter the headlights of any vehicle
- Do not go to the movie theater
- Avoid crowded places
- Do not face strong sunlight
Pay attention to food choices
Certain foods and drinks can trigger headaches, eg
- Cheese and chocolate
- Processed meat
Sweetening sweeteners
Try to find out which foods and supplements cause headaches for you and learn to avoid them. Also avoid caffeinated drinks.
Keep a migraine diary
By keeping a diary or headache timer, you can easily identify your specific migraine triggers. Here are examples of things you can note.
- What do you eat and drink after the pain starts?
- Your exercise routine and schedule
- Effects of weather
- Specific feelings and emotions
- Your medications and their side effects
- The timing and severity of your headaches
- This can help you learn about migraine triggers and make it easier to avoid them.
Hormonal changes
Hormones play an important role in migraines. Many women experience more migraines during, or before, their period. Women should be especially vigilant about their diet and exercise habits during this time. This will make it easier to stop the pain before symptoms start
Oral contraceptives can make migraines worse. Some women may find relief from another form of birth control, while some women may experience fewer migraines while taking birth control.
Take supplements
While migraines can be treated with or without medication, getting the right nutrients is also important. Taking certain supplements can help prevent migraines. Magnesium deficiency has been shown to play a role in the onset of migraines, so taking a daily supplement may help ease the pain.
Take a break from the TV or computer screen to rest your eyes, and adjust the brightness level on digital screens. Pay close attention to all stimuli, making sure to avoid pain stimuli.
Pay attention to the weather
A change in weather can affect your migraine patterns. High humidity and hot temperatures can also aggravate headaches. If the weather becomes uncomfortable for you, you may need to step indoors and take a break from going indoors. Of course, you can’t always avoid going outside, but you can minimize going out during certain headache-inducing seasons.
Avoid stress
Although we cannot always control stressful situations, we can control how we react to problems. Migraines are a common consequence of stressful events. Relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga, can help reduce stress levels.
