Low blood glucose caused by not eating can also cause a headache that is not part of a migraine attack. Skipped meals or too many hours between them is a common migraine attack trigger. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), "what you think you're buying isn't always what you get," she notes. Kriegler says. In addition, because dietary and herbal supplements aren't regulated by the U.S. "Even natural substances have side effects," Dr. Attacks can also be set off by skipping meals, performing strenuous exercise, travel to a higher altitude, and, for some, alcohol or the food additive monosodium glutamate (MSG).īefore you try supplements or other complementary therapies to treat migraine attacks or headaches, be sure to consult your doctor, says Jennifer Kriegler, MD, a neurologist and headache specialist at Cleveland Clinic's Neurological Institute in Ohio. Migraine attacks, which according to the Migraine Research Foundation affect 12 percent of people in the United States and are about three times more common in women than in men, can be triggered by changes in the weather, fatigue, stress, anxiety, insufficient sleep, dehydration, and hormonal changes (in women), according to the American Migraine Foundation. Tension headaches, which according to the World Health Organization (WHO) affect more than half of all women and more than a third of all men in developed countries and, increasingly, affect more people in developing countries as well, are brought on by tight muscles in the shoulders, neck, scalp, and jaw, which in turn may be caused by stress, depression, anxiety, and fatigue, according to MedlinePlus. Understanding what brings on, or triggers, headache and migraine attacks may help you identify what types of self-care might prevent them. While home remedies and lifestyle changes alone may not prevent or relieve all headaches or migraine attacks, they can have an additive effect when used along with doctor-prescribed therapies. Even if your doctor has prescribed medication or other treatments, are there additional measures you could be taking on your own? Advice is for information only and should not replace medical care.If you get frequent headaches or migraine attacks, you may wonder whether there’s any way to prevent them - or what might help relieve your pain and other symptoms when you get one. This article has been adapted from longer features appearing in Healthy, the Holland & Barrett magazine. If you find it hard to switch off, a relaxation or meditation class might help.įound that useful? Get more tips on migraine relief in our dedicated section. Try to unwind in the evening – have a long bath with calming lavender oil and sip a mug of soothing chamomile tea. Take your lunch break go for a walk, sit down with a magazine and a cup of tea, or try relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation. Remember that migraine can be your body’s way of telling you to slow down, so try to build relaxation into your day. Try these natural approaches, one at a time, to pinpoint what’s effective for you. Other studies have found that the herbs feverfew and butterbur could help cut migraine attacks. Taking vitamin B and folate can also help reduce the severity and frequency of migraines. Research shows people who experience migraines may have low levels of the mineral magnesium, but taking a magnesium supplement with a dose of at least 600mg may help prevent the headaches. Try not to use any gadgets at least two hours before bed, and make sure your room is dark and quiet use eye mask and ear plugs if it isn’t. Try adding lavender oil to a diffuser, and have a warm milky drink. Quality sleep is essential and poor sleep can potentially spell a day – or more – of migraine pain.Įnsure solid sleep by taking half an hour to unwind before bed. Aim to avoid late nights and lie-ins too. Dehydration is also a trigger, so drink plenty of water, juices and herbal teas.Ī regular routine is very important, so try to get up and go to bed at the same time everyday. Most importantly, eat just before bed – because you take in no food for hours, your blood glucose drops very low and you can wake with a migraine. Go for low-GI carbohydrates such as wholewheat pasta, wholegrain bread, rye bread, oat cakes and porridge, along with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.Įat breakfast within half an hour of rising. A drop in blood sugar is connected to migraine, so eat little and often to keep your blood sugar steady.
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