How To Help With Migraines

Remedies To Get Rid Of Headaches Naturally

Headaches are a common condition that many people deal with on a daily basis.

Ranging from uncomfortable to downright unbearable, they can disrupt your day-to-day life.

Several types of headaches exist, with tension headaches being the most common. Cluster headaches are painful and happen in groups or clusters, while migraines are a moderate-to-severe type of headache.

Although many medications are targeted at relieving headache symptoms, a number of effective, natural treatments also exist.

Here are 18 effective home remedies to naturally get rid of headaches.

Find A Quiet Dark Place To Relax

Sensitivity to light and sound is one of the most common migraine symptoms. Get away from these things if you can. This can help you find relief from your pain and can alleviate stress.

Lie down and pay attention to your breathing. Try taking slow, deep breaths from your diaphragm. Feel your stomach rise with the inhale and fall with the exhale. This can help you relax.

Dehydration can cause headaches and even migraine, but new research shows hydration can reduce and possibly even prevent headache pain. In the study, people who drank their recommended daily water intake had headaches that were:

• less frequent
• less severe
• shorter in duration

If you dont regularly drink enough water, increasing your intake may both help reduce your migraine pain and prevent repeat attacks.

Can Using Birth Control Pills Make My Migraines Worse

In some women, birth control pills improve migraine. The pills may help reduce the number of attacks and their attacks may become less severe. But in other women, the pills may worsen their migraines. In still other women, taking birth control pills has no effect on their migraines.

The reason for these different responses is not well understood. For women whose migraines get worse when they take birth control pills, their attacks seem to occur during the last week of the cycle. This is because the last seven pills in most monthly pill packs don’t have hormones they are there to keep you in the habit of taking your birth control daily. Without the hormones, your body’s estrogen levels drop sharply. This may trigger migraine in some women.

Talk with your doctor if you think birth control pills are making your migraines worse. Switching to a pill pack in which all the pills for the entire month contain hormones and using that for three months in a row can improve headaches. Lifestyle changes, such as getting on a regular sleep pattern and eating healthy foods, can help too.

You May Like: Why Headache Won’t Go Away

How To Help Your Child With Migraines

Headaches affect millions of people every day, including kids of all ages. A common type of headache in children and teenagers is migraine headache a more severe headache that can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, sound, smells and motion. Some people experience neurological symptoms such as changes in vision or feelings of numbness and tingling of the body.

As a parent, its hard to watch your child in pain. Try out the techniques below to help care for your childs migraines.

How Is Migraine Treated

Migraine disorder can’t be cured but you can relieve symptoms during an attack and prevent further attacks. Migraine varies between people and so does the treatment. Some things are commonly known to trigger migraine attacks in some people. Avoiding these triggers can reduce how often and how severe your migraine attacks are.

You May Like: Icd 10 For Migraine Headache

How Did I Get Rid Off My Sinus Problem

I had sinus problems for decades since I was a little girl. My mother even had my tonsils removed because the frequent infections I would get back in the day.

After years of suffering migraine and other symptoms I did some research online and decided to try different things until finally found one that worked for me.

I began drinking 1 Tbsp of Apple-cider Vinegar in 6oz of water every morning. It was the first thing I used to drink every morning as soon as I got of the bed. I waited about 30 minutes before taking my breakfast. I did this for 3 months.

I cut every single item containing dairy out of my diet. I stopped drinking milk with every meal. I changed milk for lemonade. I cut a few lemons boil them in water, divided in mason jars and refrigerate.

I Get Migraines Right Before My Period Could They Be Related To My Menstrual Cycle

More than half of migraines in women occur right before, during, or after a woman has her period. This often is called “menstrual migraine.” But, just a small fraction of women who have migraine around their period only have migraine at this time. Most have migraine headaches at other times of the month as well.

How the menstrual cycle and migraine are linked is still unclear. We know that just before the cycle begins, levels of the female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, go down sharply. This drop in hormones may trigger a migraine, because estrogen controls chemicals in the brain that affect a woman’s pain sensation.

Talk with your doctor if you think you have menstrual migraine. You may find that medicines, making lifestyle changes, and home treatment methods can prevent or reduce the pain.

Read Also: Headache And Nausea After Eating

How Are Migraines Diagnosed

To diagnose a migraine, your healthcare provider will get a thorough medical history, not just your history of headaches but your familys, too. Also, they’ll want to establish a history of your migraine-related symptoms, likely asking you to:

• Describe your headache symptoms. How severe are they?
• Remember when you get them. During your period, for example?
• Describe the type and location of your pain. Is the pain pounding? Pulsing? Throbbing?
• Remember if anything makes your headache better or worse.
• Tell how often you get migraine headaches.
• Talk about the activities, foods, stressors or the situations that may have brought on the migraine.
• Discuss what medications you take to relieve the pain and how often you take them.
• Tell how you felt before, during and after the headache.
• Remember if anyone in your family gets migraine headaches.

Your healthcare provider may also order blood tests and imaging tests to make sure there are no other causes for your headache. An electroencephalogram may be ordered to rule out seizures.

Use Hot Or Cold Remedies

Applying heat or cold can help relieve migraines, according to the Mayo Clinic.

When applied at the onset of a migraine, a frozen neck wrap significantly reduced pain, according to a small 2013 study. Placing a heating pad on your head or neck may also help to relax your muscles, which can relieve tension and the migraine itself.

Don’t Miss: Difference Between Migraine And Headache

Are Migraines Dangerous During Pregnancy

The only danger is when your headache may be a sign of something else. You should ALWAYS call your health care provider when:

• Your headache is accompanied by a fever
• Your headache persists for more than a few hours or returns frequently
• You are experiencing blurred vision

It is ALWAYS important to let your health care provider know when you are experiencing any headaches and the details about them.

How Can I Help My Child Prevent Migraines

To help your child avoid migraine triggers, you can do the following:

• Keep a journal. Keep a migraine journal and write down information about your childs migraine, such as how long it lasts and how much it hurts.
• Write down activities before their migraine starts. What they eat, drink, how much sleep they get, and what activities they do before they have a migraine. Over time, you might see a pattern that reveals a migraine trigger.

Once you know what triggers your childs migraines, you should avoid that trigger as much as possible.

Also Check: Headache With High Blood Pressure

How Are Migraines Prevented Or Managed

There are many ways to manage migraines both to prevent an attack and to treat an attack once it starts . It is important to have a migraine management plan and this will probably involve lifestyle changes and medication.

If you suspect you are getting a migraine, you may get some relief from pain-relief medicines. Some people find they can prevent a migraine by treating it early.

Some people can manage migraine with pain relief available from pharmacies others might need prescription medications to deal with an acute attack. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about options.

During the migraine, rest in a quiet, dark room. Get as much help as possible with responsibilities at work, for family and so on.

If you get migraines fairly often, there is a wide range of preventive medicines that can reduce the number and severity of the attacks.

If you have just started getting migraines, keeping a diary about them can help you understand when they happen, and what triggers them. That may help you prevent them, and may also help you to explain what you are experiencing with your doctor.

In the longer term, non-medicine therapies can also help to prevent migraine. These include:

• relaxation training, such as yoga and meditation

Learn More About The Home Remedies That Can Help Manage Migraine Symptoms Provide Relief And Prepare For Attacks

Treatment and medication prescribed by your doctor can go a long way in keeping your most severe migraine symptoms under control. But did you know there are home remedies you can use to help manage migraine symptoms and lessen the frequency of migraine attacks? While these home remedies do not cure migraine, some evidence suggests they can also help provide relief.

A simple web search can result in an overwhelming amount of information, but use caution with any home remedy you come across on the internet. And remember, you should always talk to your doctor about any migraine treatment. Read on as we review some commonly used home remedies.

Don’t Miss: What Helps With Sinus Headache

What Are Some Ways I Can Prevent Migraine

The best way to prevent migraine is to find out what triggers your attacks and avoid or limit these triggers. Since migraine headaches are more common during times of stress, finding healthy ways to cut down on and cope with stress might help. Talk with your doctor about starting a fitness program or taking a class to learn relaxation skills.

Talk with your doctor if you need to take your pain-relief medicine more than twice a week. Doing so can lead to rebound headaches. If your doctor has prescribed medicine for you to help prevent migraine, take them exactly as prescribed. Ask what you should do if you miss a dose and how long you should take the medicine. Talk with your doctor if the amount of medicine you are prescribed is not helping your headaches.

How Can I Prevent Migraine Attacks

Not all migraine attacks have an obvious trigger, but sudden changes in daily routine can be a trigger. This includes a missed meal, a late night or doing more strenuous exercise than you normally do. To reduce your chance of having a migraine attack you may find it helpful to make the following lifestyle changes:

• Have regular meals.
• Drink enough water/fluid to stay hydrated.
• Do relaxation and exercises for stress .
• Aim for a regular sleep pattern and make sure you have enough sleep .
• Don’t do sudden strenuous exercise.
• Limit caffeine intake to no more than 2 cups of coffee a day.

Addressing other conditions that may be causing your migraine attacks is also important. These include stress, anxiety, depression, hormonal changes and head or neck trauma. If these are problems, talk to your doctor. They may be able to help you work out how to manage these things.Cognitive behavioural therapy , coping strategies and relaxation training are helpful for many people with migraine, especially if attacks are associated with anxiety or stress.

Also Check: Why Do I Get Headaches

Soothe Pain With A Cold Compress

Using a cold compress may help reduce your headache symptoms.

Applying cold or frozen compresses to the neck or head area decreases inflammation, slows nerve conduction and constricts blood vessels, all of which help reduce headache pain .

In one study in 28 women, applying a cold gel pack to the head significantly reduced migraine pain .

To make a cold compress, fill a waterproof bag with ice and wrap it in a soft towel. Apply the compress to the back of the neck, head or temples for headache relief.

Coenzyme Q10 is a substance produced naturally by the body that helps turn food into energy and functions as a powerful antioxidant .

Studies have shown that taking CoQ10 supplements may be an effective and natural way to treat headaches.

For example, one study in 80 people demonstrated that taking 100 mg of CoQ10 supplements per day reduced migraine frequency, severity and length .

Another study including 42 people who experienced frequent migraines found that three 100-mg doses of CoQ10 throughout the day helped decrease migraine frequency and migraine-related symptoms like nausea (

Address Teeth Grinding Or Excessive Chewing

People have to eat to survive, and chewing is an important part of eating. However, studies suggest that excessive chewing might be linked to more headaches and even migraine. Researchers focused on gum-chewing for the study and found that tension headaches and migraine were more common in people who chewed gum frequently.

While you cant avoid eating, you may want to rethink chewing gum if you regularly experience migraine. You may also want to consider if you clench or grind your teeth while sleeping, as this could have a similar effect.

You May Like: Symptoms Of Migraines In Eyes

Vitamins And Natural Treatments

Along with medical management and lifestyle changes, some doctors may also recommend you take certain vitamins, minerals, or herbal supplements. These may include:

• Riboflavin

Always check with your doctor before taking any new supplements. They can help you determine if the supplement is safe for you and doesn’t interfere with any of your medications.

Natural Remedies For Pregnancy Migraines:

During the first three months the symptoms of pregnancy can make your migraine worse. Morning sickness can mean that you feel like eating and drinking less which can cause low blood sugar and dehydration. If you are not careful this can make your migraines worse. You should try to eat small frequent meals and drink frequent small amounts of water to prevent this. You will also be helping reduce any pregnancy sickness. Other remedies may include:

• Dark Room Often, a migraine can make you sensitive to bright lights. Find a dark room, and turn off any electronics.
• Nap Lying down to take a short nap can help alleviate migraines. Many people report that an hour nap is often enough to stop the pain.
• Cold Pack While lying down, place a cold pack or damp towel on your head. The cold should constrict blood vessels in your head and help alleviate the pain.
• Relaxation Techniques Talk to your doctor about relaxation exercises that are safe during pregnancy. Relaxing the muscles around your back, neck, and head can release the pressure causing the migraine.
• Take care of yourself Sometimes, migraines can be set off by dehydration, tiredness, not eating well, or lack of sleep. Try to maintain a healthy, balanced lifestyle, which can help mitigate the symptoms of migraines.

You May Like: How To Get Rid Of Migraine During Pregnancy

Prevent Attacks With Exercise

Exercising during a migraine attack can make the pain worse, but exercising between attacks may help to reduce the number of attacks you have.

Contrary to popular belief, exercise wont trigger a migraine in most people, says Dale Bond, PhD, a professor of psychiatry and human behavior at The Miriam Hospital and Brown Alpert Medical School in Providence, Rhode Island.

In terms of aerobic exercise, we would generally tell our patients to start with walking its easy, its safe, its cheap, and its practical and to do that regularly, says Bond.

That may reduce migraine and prevent migraine attacks through physiological mechanisms for example, by reducing inflammation and improving cardiovascular health, he says.

RELATED: 9 Exercise Tips for People With Migraine

What You Can Do

Many healthcare providers, including headache specialists, pain specialists, neurologists, and primary care physicians, have started to incorporate mindfulness-based treatment in their practices, or they have sought mindfulness-based programs or specialists for their patients.

There are also many ways for patients with migraine to practice mindfulness at home. Patients with migraine can integrate some of the following mindfulness-based practices in their daily life, including during a migraine headache:

• Accept yourself, your present moment.
• Lie on your back or in a comfortable position with no distractions, and direct your awareness to your body and breathing. Scan your body and observe your feet, legs, hands, arms, and other parts of your body.
• Try to sit down in a comfortable and quiet place, close your eyes, take a deep breath. Try to do breathing exercises, paying attention to the sensations of your breath while inhaling and exhaling.
• Sitting or walking meditation done outside in nature may be very relaxing. Focus on the experience of walking, being aware of the sensations of standing and the subtle movements that keep your balance.

Recommended Reading: How To Help With Sinus Headache

Do You Want To Talk About Migraine

This one isnt exactly a task, but it can still be a tremendous help. Migraine is so stigmatized that migraineurs often feel embarrassed to admit how much of a hold it has on their lives or are ashamed to be as sick as they are. Sharing the frustrations and grief with another person can be a relief. All you need to do is listen. Trying to fix the problem or making treatment suggestions without being asked to do so usually adds to a persons frustration.

Some suggestions for ironing out the details:

• Unless you plan to pay for whatever it is you pick up, tell the recipient they can write you a check when you drop off the items so theres no confusion over whether or not they need to reimburse you.
• These offers will probably be considered a one-time event. If youre willing to make their grocery shopping a monthly thing or if youre able to be on-call to drive them to an appointment once a month, make that clear.
• If you offer to do an unpleasant task, like cleaning the shower, dont tell them how exhausted you are afterward or how gross it was. They wouldnt have taken you up on the offer if they didnt already know how desperately they needed assistance and they already feel guilty for having you do such a yucky chore.

Thank you for recognizing that migraine is often debilitating and makes doing the normal tasks of life tough. Whatever you wind up doing for the migraineur in your life, you will be providing a tremendous service.