Did you know that the best technique on how to relieve a migraine starts at home? If you have a migraine, you may have a hard time continuing your day-to-day activity. This kind of pain can hinder you from having a productive day. So, in case you have excruciating head pain, you can also try other relaxing treatments like a massage and acupuncture. At this medical centre in Chatswood, acupuncture is becoming more and more popular. Try this technique to witness its benefits to the body and mind.
What Is Migraine?
Migraine is a medical condition that includes extreme, repeating headaches and different manifestations. The migraine pain usually occurs on one side of the head and frequently goes with nausea, vomiting, and light and sound sensitivity.
A migraine episode is different from usual headache pain. An attack typically happens in stages and can keep going for several days. It can influence an individual’s daily life, such as their ability to study or work.
The effects of a migraine can also vary, depending on the person’s condition and present health problems. There is a scope of migraine frequency, triggers, severity, and symptoms. Some individuals have more than one episode every week, while others have only occasional migraine episodes.
Signs and Symptoms
There are different stages of migraine pain. However, not every person who has migraines goes through all phases.
Prodrome
This is a premonitory stage. Before a migraine attack happens, you may see subtle changes that indicate an upcoming migraine, including:
- Food cravings
- Constipation
- Mood changes, from depression to euphoria
- Neck stiffness
- Frequent yawning
- Increased thirst and urination
Aura
Auras are reversible manifestations of the nervous system. For some individuals, the aura may happen previously or during migraines. Each indication usually starts gradually, develops over several minutes, and goes on for 20 to an hour. Symptoms of migraine with aura include:
- Vision loss
- Visual phenomena, like seeing different shapes, bright spots, or flashes of light
- Tingling sensations in the leg or arm
- Trouble speaking
- Numbness or weakness in the face or one side of the body
- Sound sensitivity
- Uncontrollable fast movements or other developments
Attack
Migraine frequency changes from person to person and may happen infrequently or strike a few times each month. The symptoms of a migraine attack include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Throbbing or pulsating pain
- Pain generally on one side of your head, but frequently on both sides
- Sensitivity to light, sound, and at times, touch and smell
Post-drome
After migraines, you may feel weak, confused, and cleaned out for as long as a day. Other individuals report feeling thrilled. Also, abrupt head movement may cause temporary headache pain.
Tips at Home: How to Relieve A Migraine?
Addressing migraines and other headache pain usually begins in your lifestyle at home. Here are some tips and home remedies on how to relieve a migraine.
Rest in A Quiet and Dark Room
Migraines can cause sensitivity to light and sound. Make your room dark and quiet so that you might be able to sleep. Though not all headaches respond to rest, the chemicals delivered in your brain during a nighttime sleep may help facilitate your migraine pain. Additionally, if your migraine brings sound sensitivity, obstructing them out could help.
Use A Cold or Hot Compress
Hot and cold compress is one of the popular home remedies to ease pain. Put the compress across your brow or the rear of your neck. Most people who suffer from migraines prefer a cold compress. This is because ice can have a numbing effect that detracts the brain from the migraine. Also, this method stimulates other nerve endings where you are placing the compress.
Other people may favor a warm compress, which helps loosen up muscles. You may likewise try taking a warm shower or bath.
Smell the Lavender
The fragrance of lavender may help you relax. You can taste some lavender tea or breathe in lavender essential oil, which you can get in health food stores and pharmacies. According to the study published in 2012, inhaling lavender essential oil for 15 minutes can help reduce headache severity.
Try Acupressure
Acupressure is applying pressure with the hands and fingers to some points on the body to reduce pain and side effects. This method is an excellent alternative treatment for individuals who suffer from chronic headache pain and other pain-related conditions. Also, there is a study that stated that acupressure might help relieve migraine-associated nausea.
Massage Your Temples
Although the help of a massage is your personal preference, this method can help your muscles relax. Some individuals who have a migraine might be susceptible to touch, and massage therapy can worsen their symptoms. Others discover that massaging their temples invigorates flow and helps them to relax.
Exercise
Even though it might appear counterintuitive, going for a brisk walk may help relieve your migraine pain. Aerobic exercises help improve your blood circulation and help reduce stress. You can look for low-impact exercise options that you can perform at home.
Other Healthy Tips to Relieve a Migraine
Besides doing some home remedies to relieve migraines, you can do the following tips to improve your health and prevent this kind of head pain.
Eat Wisely
Your dietary patterns can influence your migraines. Consider the basics:
- Avoid skipping meals. Fasting expands the danger of migraines.
- Be consistent. Eat at about a similar time each day.
- Make a food journal. Monitoring the foods you eat and when you encounter migraines can help recognize potential food triggers.
Try not to eat foods that cause migraines. If you presume that specific food, like chocolate, aged cheese, alcohol, or caffeine, is causing your migraines, remove it from your diet to observe what happens.
Stay hydrated
Dehydration is frequently a migraine trigger. Replenishing fluid can reestablish your body’s balance of water and electrolytes. If you have a hard time drinking enough water, try this:
- Add a cut of lemon or lime to make your water taste good
- Limit caffeine, which can be dehydrating in huge amounts
Manage Stress
Stress and headaches often go inseparably. You cannot stay away from daily stress, yet you can keep it under control to help deal with your migraines:
Simplify Your Life: Try not to search for ways to squeeze more activities or tasks into the day. Instead, figure out how to leave certain things out.
Manage Your Time Properly: Keep posted on your daily tasks both at home and at work. Delegate what you can, and split significant activities into reasonable pieces.
Take a Break: If you feel overpowered, a couple of slow stretches or a fast walk may recharge your energy for the main job.
Change your Attitude: Try to stay positive. If you end up reasoning, “This isn’t possible,” shift your thoughts. Instead, think, “this will be hard. However, I can make it work.”
Enjoy Yourself: Create time to accomplish something you appreciate for at least 15 minutes each day. It could be playing an instrument, game, or drinking coffee with a friend. Accomplishing something you enjoy is a natural technique to cope with stress.
Relax: Profound breathing from your stomach can help you relax. Concentrate on inhaling and exhaling gradually and profoundly for at least 10 minutes consistently. It might also help to loosen up your muscles, each group in turn intentionally. Once you are finished, sit quietly for a minute or two.
If you have migraines, you know the side effects can be challenging to adapt to. You may miss work or not be able to partake in events you love. Follow the above healthy tips and try to do the above remedies and discover some relief.