Migraine Relief Tips

Headache may occur in response to stress or in some cases, as a sign of an underlying pathologic condition. Migraine, which is the most common type of headache, is characterized by severe episodes of headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and photosensitivity. It has proven that 75 percent of the people experiencing this condition are women. The headache associated with migraine usually lasts 1 to 72 hours.

A lot of methods have been claimed to be effective for migraine relief. The treatment and management for migraine involves a series of simple steps directed mainly on relieving the pain and discomforts brought by migraine headache. The most immediate action done by the population when experiencing migraine is to use over-the-counter pain medications like Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen. 

Another method proven to be effective in relieving migraine is through the application of ice wraps which are available at the pharmacy. These ice wraps are placed over the head or around the cervical area in order to facilitate blood flow thereby promoting pain relief. This method is somehow similar with the frozen towel method. The frozen towel method is performed by soaking the towel in a basin full of water then squeezing out the excess water from it. After this, the towel would be placed inside the freezer for approximately 5 minutes and refolded every now and then so that all parts of the towel have the same temperature. Then, with the same concept with ice wrap, the frozen towel will be placed directly over the head or around the neck in order to enhance the circulation of the blood. 

Massage therapy has been effective in eliminating pain during episodes of migraine. The goal of this therapy is to relax the tense muscles and to facilitate tissue perfusion. Through this, the pain is eliminated. It can be best achieved by massaging the area on the head and the neck as well as other pressure points in the body. This should be performed inside a dark and cool environment to promote the relaxation and soothing of the tissues. 

When having migraine attacks, it is also recommended to drink plenty of glasses of water as well as other juices. Taking some salty snacks can also help in relieving pain during moments of headache. In some cases, caffeine has been proven to be also effective in relieving migraine headache. However, it should be noted that people can response differently to some methods most especially to caffeine. Beverages that contain caffeine can either relieve or worsen the pain.

Above all, the most effective treatment and management for migraine relief is a healthy lifestyle. Getting adequate rest and sleep, proper exercise and a balanced diet can help avoid the occurrence of migraine headache. Consumption of unhealthy snacks such as junk foods and other processed foods should be avoided as well as vices including alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking. A healthy body is what all it takes to prevent migraine attacks.