She Strengthens

Migraines: More Than Just Headaches

Migraines are debilitating and can significantly impact your quality of life. They’re not just ordinary headaches; they come with symptoms like sensitivity to scents, noise, and light, pulsing and throbbing, weakness, nausea, and sometimes even vomiting. If you’re among the 12% of Americans who experience these severe headaches, you know how life-altering they can be.

Understanding Migraines

Headache disorders, including migraines, are the third highest global cause of disability. Always consult a doctor if you suspect you’re experiencing migraine headaches. “Headaches can be a serious complaint,” says Dr. James Tinsley, a family physician based in Newport News, Virginia. “They must be diagnosed by a physician.”

Natural Remedies for Migraine Relief

Once your doctor has confirmed your migraines, you can start exploring natural remedies to complement your treatment plan. Here are 13 tips to help ease your pain and improve your quality of life:

Identify Your Triggers

No two migraines are exactly the same, and no two people will experience the exact same headache. Keeping a food and migraine journal can help you identify common denominators and eliminate triggers.

Stay Hydrated

Drinking more water can help alleviate dehydration, a common migraine trigger. Research shows that adding 1.5 liters of water intake per day can improve your quality of life.

Cool Down

Physically keeping your cool may also help. Cold causes vasoconstriction, which can help narrow your blood vessels. Try using a cold pack on your face and neck, taking a cool shower, or stepping outside without a jacket.

Caffeinate Wisely

A small amount of caffeine can help migraines, but daily caffeine consumption may also be a trigger. Be mindful of your caffeine intake and how it affects your headaches.

Essential Oils: Lavender and Peppermint

Lavender essential oil can bring relief faster than a placebo, while peppermint oil can help prevent migraines from developing. Inhale the oils straight up or dilute them with a carrier oil and apply to your temples.

Apply Pressure

Acupressure can help relieve tension and symptoms, including nausea. Learning a few pressure points for headaches can come in handy for times when a migraine catches you off-guard.

Feverfew and Ginger

Feverfew is a flower that has been used for centuries to treat fevers, headaches, and more. Ginger powder can reduce the severity and length of migraines with fewer side effects.

Breathe Through It

Stress is a major migraine trigger, but yoga and meditation techniques can help reduce intensity, frequency, and duration. Use yogic breathing to shift your focus away from pain and relieve tension.

Magnesium and Massage

Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a number of key roles in your body. Taking a magnesium supplement or adding more magnesium-rich foods to your diet may ease symptoms or reduce migraine frequency. Massage therapy can also relieve stress and improve sleep quality, two known migraine triggers.

Shut Out the World

When your migraine comes with sensitivity to light, sound, and smells, sometimes the best approach is to shut out the world. Remove yourself from triggers and get some rest.

Kid-Friendly and Pregnancy-Friendly Remedies

These natural remedies are safe for adults, but what about little ones? Here are some kid-friendly and pregnancy-friendly remedies to try:

• Migraine trigger journal and avoiding triggers
• Proper hydration
• Cold therapy
• Lavender essential oil (diluted)
• Acupressure
• Yoga and breathing techniques
• Magnesium (consult a doctor about appropriate dosing and forms)
• Massage therapy
• Resting in a dark, quiet room

When to See a Doctor

While migraines are common, they can also be serious. Err on the side of caution and talk to your doctor if:

• You’ve never seen a doctor for your headaches.
• You don’t have a diagnosis for your headaches.
• You have nausea, vomiting, visual changes, tingling, numbness, or weakness with your headaches.
• You’re over age 50.
• Your headaches change in frequency or intensity.
• You have a family history of cerebral aneurisms.