Anyone whose ever had a migraine knows relief couldn’t come fast enough! Pain can surface suddenly and in some cases, can increase to a level that leaves sufferers incapable of getting out of bed. If a migraine attack occurs while the sufferer is at work or otherwise away from home, fear and anxiety about how to handle the situation becomes a huge burden to carry. For emergency situations check out these 15 quick tips for migraine relief:
1. Over-the-Counter Medication
When the first signs of a migraine arise, most people reach for the non-prescription medications they know and trust, like Advil, Aleve, Excedrin or Ibuprofen. These types of over-the-counter medications are easy to come by and many brands now produce fast-acting migraine formulas that work to reduce inflammation associated with migraine pain.
You may also be interested in: 5 Essential Ingredients Every Migraine Relief Emergency Kit Needs
2. Flex Point Massage
Reflexology is a form of massage that targets specific areas called flex points to elicit a reaction in another part of the body. Its effects are based on the idea that the head, hands and feet are connected through nerves to every other part of the body and by stimulating specific points (flex points) you can alleviate pain and treat illness. There are several points that specifically target head pain, neck tension and even nausea. Individuals can perform the simple massage techniques on their own at any time and the treatment only takes a few seconds per flex point.
3. Take Supplements
Studies show that many people suffering from migraines have deficient levels of magnesium in their diets. Try taking a liquid magnesium supplement at the onset of symptoms to stop the progression of pain. Before introducing supplements into your treatment regimen, talk to a doctor, as some supplements do not mix with other medications.
4. Hydrate
Dehydration can be a major trigger for migraine sufferers. If you feel warning signs of an impending attack, start to drink plenty of water to see if proper hydration might stall or curb the onset of symptoms.
5. Eat Protein
Unstable blood sugar levels may also cause migraines. Try incorporating more lean protein into your diet to help regulate blood sugar levels. Stay away from meats packed with nitrates, preservatives and salt (like deli meat or hot dogs) as these foods can actually trigger an attack.
6. Take Caffeine
For some, caffeine is a migraine trigger, so you’ll want to be absolutely sure of its effect on your condition before implementing this quick tip. Caffeine has been shown to stop migraine pain and has even been incorporated in many migraine medications to help subdue symptoms. At the onset of pain, drink a cup of coffee, tea or caffeinated pop to see if it helps.
7. Exercise
Provided pain hasn’t reached an excruciating level, try going for a walk or performing some yoga. The idea is to do something non-strenuous that will get your blood flowing and distract your mind from focusing on pain.
8. Lower Lighting
Many migraine sufferers describe a significant spike in pain when exposed to light. Try lying down in a quiet place where you can close the blinds, draw the curtains and relax without irritating your sensitivity to light or sound. This may help bring relief or can at least prevent the episode from getting worse.
These eight tips can greatly help you find quick migraine relief. Stay tuned for part two of our article that features the remaining seven migraine relief tips coming later this week.
Image Source: Tanya
