Migraine is a neurological condition that causes intense pain and can significantly decrease a person’s quality of life. Anyone who suffers from migraine attacks understands that a migraine is much more than just a bad headache. Intense head pain is one symptom, but migraine attacks can also cause sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, lightheadedness, and other symptoms that impair daily functioning. And to make it worse, migraines often seem to come out of nowhere and can persist for a few hours or a few days. Unfortunately, science has yet to discover a cure for migraine. Some people, however, are able to minimize the frequency or intensity of their migraine symptoms through certain medications, treatments, or lifestyle changes.
If you suffer from migraine attacks, talk to a doctor about your treatment options. In the meantime, take a look below at the following tips and strategies for managing migraine.
Talk to your doctor
Although an online search will certainly reveal an abundance of lifestyle tips for managing migraine, directly speaking to your doctor is probably a better way to get started. Your doctor will be able to look at your medical history, ask questions that pertain specifically to your condition, and present you with customized treatment options. Let your doctor know if you want to start with lifestyle changes instead of medications. They’ll be able to help you keep track of what’s working and what’s not. Your doctor can be an important resource and partner in managing your migraines.
Keep a migraine diary
One of the more difficult aspects of migraine attacks is that they seem to come out of nowhere. And sometimes they do, but symptoms can also be triggered by something in your life. This can be certain foods, a lack of sleep, high stress levels, or caffeine and alcohol. Migraine triggers are different for everyone, and they’re not always obvious. The best way to learn what triggers your migraine attacks is to keep a migraine diary. Use it to record any and all information about your symptoms, when they started, where you felt them, and how long they lasted. You’ll also want to include information about what you ate, how much sleep you got, and what you were doing in the hours before the symptoms began. This diary will be helpful for your doctor as well.
Get quality sleep
Migraine sufferers are often sensitive to disruptions in a healthy sleep-wake cycle. One of the most important things anyone can do to help optimize their health is to get sufficient sleep. This doesn’t just mean spending 8 hours in bed. The quality of sleep is just as important as the number of hours spent resting. You can increase the quality of your sleep by:
- Going to bed and getting up at the same time every day
- Spending time outdoors in natural light every day
- Getting sufficient exercise every day
- Creating a dark, quiet, and comfortable sleep environment
- Avoiding caffeine and alcohol
Try recording your sleep patterns in your migraine diary. Or keep a separate sleep diary to help you understand the conditions that result in the best quality sleep for you.
Prioritize a healthy diet and exercise
You don’t have to deprive yourself of foods you love or spending hours at a time in the gym. Even a short daily walk and regular balanced meals can have a positive impact on your overall health. All bodily systems are best served with a healthy diet and exercise routine, and the stronger your systems are, the better equipped you’ll be to manage your migraines.
Practice self-care and relaxation techniques
Stress is often a trigger for migraine symptoms. Self-care and relaxation techniques can help keep your stress levels down and possibly minimize the intensity or frequency of your migraine attacks. Yoga, meditation, long baths, spending time in nature, and other relaxing activities will give you a break from the constant busy-ness that increases stress levels and often triggers migraine attacks.
Pay attention to early symptoms
Many people who suffer from migraine experience a range of milder symptoms that precede a full-fledged attack. These can serve as warning signs and give you an opportunity to use medications or other treatments to prevent the emergence of more intense symptoms. The prodrome or “pre headache” phase of migraine may include symptoms such as food cravings, sensitivity to light and sound, problems concentrating, or difficulty sleeping. If you keep a detailed migraine diary, your prodrome symptoms should become clear. These will be different for everyone, but once you know yours, you may be able to better manage the intensity or duration of your migraine.
Participate in a migraine research study
Researchers are always working to develop effective treatments for migraine. By enrolling a migraine clinical trial, you may be able to gain access to cutting edge treatments before they’re available to the general public. You’ll be closely monitored by medical professionals who are intimately familiar with the condition and who are committed to developing the best ways of treating and preventing migraine. When you participate in a research study, you also get the added benefit of knowing that your participation is leading toward better treatment options for everyone who suffers from migraine.
see also How to Get Rid of Migraine
Migraine research study at Synergy Research Centers
At Synergy Research Centers, we’re currently enrolling participants in migraine clinical trial. Eligible participants may receive compensation for their time and travel expenses. For more information, give us a call at 888-539-0282 or fill out our enrollment form today.