One of the best ways to do this is to identify and avoid things that can trigger your migraine. You may need to experiment to decide what feels best for you. alcohol and rage what you need to know Some people find that an ice pack applied to the head offers soothing, numbing relief. This is particularly helpful if sun or heat brought on your migraine.
- However, these methods vary in terms of the headache types they can treat.
- Interestingly, magnesium has also been shown to be a safe, effective remedy for headaches.
- The American Migraine Foundation recommends taking your medication during the prodromal phase of the attack.
- A doctor can help rule out potential underlying causes of your headaches and give you the right care.
- A cold compress may be a simple headache solution that many people have on hand.
- In fact, one popular headache remedy (Excedrin) combines Tylenol, aspirin and caffeine—something to keep in mind if it’s close to bedtime.
This is thought to boost blood flow and endorphins (chemicals your body makes to lessen pain). A therapist, such as a psychologist, usually leads the 7 solution-focused therapy techniques and worksheets training. It often involves techniques like deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation (a method in which you tense, then relax, your muscles).
Rethink your sleep schedule.
If you’re interested in taking a ginger supplement, Pure Encapsulations Ginger Extract is a high quality supplement that provides 500 mg of ginger root extract per capsule. If you think you may be sensitive to smells, avoiding perfumes, cigarette smoke, and strongly scented foods may help decrease your chance of getting a migraine. Strong odors like those from perfumes and cleaning products can cause certain individuals to develop headaches.
Are there any home remedies for headaches that you should avoid?
People with a family health history of headaches are more prone to headache disorders too (6, 7, 8). You should also develop a support system to lean on when a migraine strikes. You may be limited in what you’re able to do while dealing with migraine pain, and support from others is a powerful coping tool. Intense pain isn’t usually considered an emergency, but if that pain is interfering with your ability to complete your daily tasks, it’s definitely a situation that requires more care. If you can’t get an appointment with your doctor, you may want to consider emergency or urgent care services.
What to expect from your doctor
A study of 400 people who experienced either migraine or tension headaches found that strong odors, especially perfumes, often triggered headaches (51). If you’ve had a migraine for a long time, you may be able to easily spot your prodromal symptoms. This will help you be proactive instead of reactive when it comes to treating your pain. If you have migraines frequently or without much notice, you may want to keep your migraine medications with you at all times so you can take them as soon as an attack begins. While deep breathing and relaxation exercises alone may not cure a migraine completely, these techniques have been shown to lower stress levels and may shorten the duration and severity of migraine pain.
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Sensitivity to light and sound is one of the most common migraine symptoms. This can help you find relief from your pain and can alleviate stress. You’ll probably first see a primary care provider, who might then refer you to a provider trained in evaluating and treating headaches, called a neurologist. Taking a ginger supplement may help reduce migraine symptoms. Many people who get migraines have an aversion to brightness.
