At Home Remedies for Migraine Relief
Anyone who’s experienced a migraine understands how unpleasant they are. Migraines are pulsating headaches that cause throbbing on one side of the head. These attacks can last for hours and even days at a time. Migraine sufferers also experience nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound.
Usually, there are numerous signs of an oncoming migraine. These symptoms typically start off mild and gradually increase. In some cases, it becomes difficult to speak before a migraine appears.Migraines appear in four stages: prodrome, aura, attack, and post-drome. Everyone that experiences migraines won’t go through every stage. Each stage has a list of characteristics. During the prodrome stage, you’ll experience symptoms including mood swings, constipation, and increased thirst. This stage occurs up to two days prior to your migraine.
The aura stage typically follows with visual impairments and physical numbness and sensations. This can last up to an hour at a time and is followed by the attack stage. The attack stage is the migraine itself and can last up to 72 hours. Migraine frequency depends on the individual. Post-drome, or the final stage, is essentially your body’s recovery period. This usually lasts for about 24 hours.
Migraine Relief Remedies
When you feel a migraine coming on, there are a variety of ways to find relief. One migraine relief method includes cooling down. It’s believed that cold compresses decrease blood flow from the area and relieve pain. If your cold compress doesn’t work, try a warm compress. Warm compresses act as a muscle relaxer. You can also relax in a warm bath for full-body relief.
If you’re at home, try going into a dark, quiet room. Since migraines create sensitivity to light and sound, it’s best to avoid triggers for more relief. If possible, try falling asleep. Every headache isn’t resolved with sleep, however, sleep releases a chemical that helps with pain relief.
If you have an oil diffuser, add some lavender oil. Lavender increases relaxation and eases tension related to migraines. Studies show that inhaling lavender tea or ingesting lavender tea can minimize pain associated with headaches.
If you feel a migraine coming, try drinking a glass of water. Oftentimes, migraines are a sign of dehydration. In some cases, dehydration causes the brain to shrink for a short time. Fluid loss from the brain results in separation from the skull, causing pain. Water keeps the brain properly hydrated and prevents shrinkage. You can also drink caffeinated beverages like coffee. Caffeine helps absorb migraine medication. Be careful using caffeine for migraines to avoid withdrawals. In some cases, migraines are a symptom of caffeine withdrawal.
The best migraine remedy is prevention. It’s wise to identify your triggers and avoid them when possible. Be sure to eat a well-balanced diet, exercise, and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration migraines. Make sure you also get at least 7-8 hours of sleep. If migraines persist, contact your healthcare provider.
