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What Can I Do If I Am Having a Migraine?

According to the Migraine Awareness Group, at least 32-million individuals in the U.S. suffer from migraines, and women are more prone to migraines than men. Migraines can run in families and may be triggered by eating habits, stress, hormone changes, bright lights and loud noises or other underlying conditions. There are techniques you can use at home to lessen pain and sensitivity if you're having a migraine. But migraine sufferers should consult with a doctor to pinpoint triggers and discuss treatment options.

  1. Avoid Triggers

    • Avoid triggers that may cause a migraine or make it worse. Certain foods, smells, noises and even light patterns can cause a migraine. Keep a diary to pinpoint when migraines occur and evaluate what happens before and during a migraine. When a migraine is triggered by eating certain foods or smelling different odors, speak with a doctor about allergy testing.

    Rest and Relaxation

    • Migraines may be lessened and will improve faster if you rest in a quiet room. Make sure that the room is darkened, as lights may make symptoms worse. A cool compress may help. Sleep if possible; many migraine sufferers find that the pain is lessened after they nap. Avoid oversleeping as this can disrupt your sleep cycle, which may exacerbate migraine symptoms.

    Stress Reduction

    • Incorporate stress reduction techniques into your daily routine. No situation is worth jeopardizing your health, and when certain stressful situations continually precede migraine headaches, it's time to avoid those situations. Additionally, physical activities that reduce stress may help alleviate migraine pain. Yoga and meditation or even just a daily walk help many migraine sufferers.

    Alternative Options

    • Practicing alternative pain relief treatments at home may relieve a migraine. Imagery is a technique that involves imagining or picturing a scene or event and focusing solely on the images in your mind. With practice, the process of imagery effectively takes the focus off the migraine pain for some individuals. Pressure points are another option for migraine relief. Use your fingertips to apply pressure at the place where headache symptoms are the most severe. Hold the pressure for approximately 10 seconds and repeat as needed.

    Medication Options

    • Use over-the-counter pain relief medication for mild migraines. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are both available at drug stores and may lessen migraine pain when taken as directed. A doctor may recommend prescription-strength medication for severe or recurring migraines. Common migraine prescriptions include opiates for pain relief and antidepressants or anti-seizure drugs to help with chemically produced migraines.

    Considerations

    • Drink plenty of water and try to eat something during a migraine attack. Though lack of appetite is common for sufferers, it's important to try to eat a little something and stay hydrated, as dehydration may make a migraine last longer and become more intense. Nausea is a very common symptom during a migraine attack and many individuals find that giving in to the urge to vomit may lessen headache pain.

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