What Not to Do During a Migraine

Researchers are still attempting to determine why some individuals suffer from migraines while others do not.

How to Handle a Migraine Right Now

You may try to ease migraine episodes, but they will still occasionally occur. Read more to discover what you may do to lessen your discomfort if a migraine occurs.

Researchers do understand that certain triggers may cause migraines in specific individuals.

Avoiding such triggers might reduce your chances of developing a migraine.

Below are some common triggers to avoid.

1. Don't Keep Doing Things that Give You Headaches

Migraine triggers differ from person to person. Once you've recognized yours, avoid them or talk with your doctor about ways to best manage them.

Exercise, stress, drugs, and exhaustion are examples of common triggers.

Women often get migraines because of hormonal changes right before menstruation.

Migraines can be triggered by caffeine, alcohol, and foods like chocolate, cheese, cured meats, artificial sweeteners, and other foods with pungent odors.

2. Do Not Miss Meals

A migraine can be triggered by being so hungry that you feel wobbly. Some researchers think that low blood sugar levels may cause brain alterations that trigger migraines.

3. Take Pain Relievers for No More than Three or Four Days

Aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or a combo of caffeine, aspirin, and acetaminophen may help alleviate migraines.

Take one of these pills as soon as you notice a migraine.

Nevertheless, utilizing them for more than a couple of days in a row might cause "rebound headaches." Your body begins to anticipate the pain meds, and migraines might return if the medication is not in your system.

Consult with your physician if you have headaches more than a few times per month or if they are severe. They may urge you to use prescription meds to help your migraines.

4. Avoid Sleeping too Little or too Much

Both can cause a headache.

It's wise to stick to a sleep schedule. Speak with your doctor if you can't fall or remain asleep or get seven to eight hours of sleep per night but still feel exhausted. You might suffer from sleep problems such as insomnia or sleep apnea.

Insomnia and sleep apnea has the potential to cause headaches, particularly migraines. Getting therapy for them may help relieve your migraines.

5. Don't Try to Push Past the Discomfort

Ignoring migraine symptoms or pain, such as an aura, which may include seeing zigzagging lines or light, feeling unsteady or dizzy, and hearing ringing in your ears can aggravate the headaches.

Lay down in a quiet, dark location until it goes away. You may also apply a cold, moist towel to your brow. Some individuals find that stroking their scalp relieves headache discomfort.

6. Don't: Excessive or Insufficient Exercise

Excessive exercise may sometimes trigger a migraine. However, frequent, moderate movement will improve your general health and help you avoid headaches.

Remember to start cautiously and progressively raise your exercise level.

7. Don't: Allow Yourself to Dry Out

If you get migraines often, even minor dehydration might cause problems. Set a target of eight glasses of water every day to keep the headache at bay. Caffeine-containing and alcoholic drinks should be avoided since they might dehydrate you.

8. Do: Make a Period Plan

Hormones may mess with your head. Migraines are prevalent during your period. Some women get them after they ovulate, and others get them throughout menopause. Make a pain-relief strategy when you know your hormones will be in flux.