Living With And Treating Migraine Headaches
Kathryn Whittaker
Stress leads the list of all psychological triggers for
migraine headaches and may be the most common migraine trigger
of all. Understanding stress and how it effects your life could
help you cope better with migraines.
Think of specific things you can add to or take away from your
daily routine to reduce stress and help avoid migraine headache
pain. Keep a note of the results and discuss them with your
doctor.
Get enough rest. One of the best ways to do this is set regular
bedtime and waking up times each day so that your body clock
regulates itself. It may take 2 to 3 weeks for your body to
adapt to this new routine, so it is important to set times and
stick with them. Gradually, as your body begins to get used to
these times your stress levels should reduce along with the
frequency of migraine headaches.
Find an exercise you enjoy and stick with it. Exercise not only
fortifies your body, but helps with "resting" your mind. You
tend to forget all your worries when exercising. Try mild
aerobic exercise such as brisk walking, for 20 to 30 minutes, 3
to 4 times a week.
Eat sensibly and have regular meals. Eat foods that are
migraine trigger-free for you. Cut down on processed and overly
sugary items. To avoid temptation, don’t have them in the house.
Keep in mind that processed and sugary foods are not good for
your body and can actually increase stress levels.
Headaches can be caused by ordinary foods that most of us eat
every day. But cutting out common food triggers from your diet
does not mean that you have to sacrifice tasty meals.
When it comes to migraines, decaffeinated coffee, fruit juice
and sparkling water are better choices for beverages than
caffeinated or alcoholic drinks. If you choose to have an
alcoholic drink, stick with single measures and alternate an
alcoholic drink with water.
Dairy products can also be common triggers for migraines. Try
reducing or cutting out dairy items from your diet for a month
to see if this makes a difference to your migraines.
Meats such as corned beef, hot dogs and pickled herring are
"cured meats," and contain an ingredient called sodium nitrate,
which can trigger a headache. Instead, consider poultry or
freshly purchased and prepared meats.
Identify areas of stress in your life and begin working to
improve them. Share your problems, concerns, and thoughts with
others. Don’t keep them to yourself. Sharing a problem can
provide almost instant relief and you may find that others have
constructive suggestions for solving issues. Also, have the
courage to say "no" to people who place unwanted demands on
your time.
Learn how to relax. If you sit down to rest, do not immediately
pick up the phone, read a magazine or turn on the TV. Try out
relaxation tapes to help you unwind and relax. You’ll find them
at most music or bookstores. You can also search the Internet
for tapes specifically designed to help prevent migraine
headaches.
If you are suffering with Migraines, you should first consult
your primary care physician before taking other steps.
About The Author: Kathryn Whittaker has an interest in health
related topics. To find out how you can get relief from
headaches and migraines please visit this
http://www.headache-migraine-guide.com site.
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