Migraine headaches can be a debilitating illness. The headaches are often severely painful and can last for several days. With this kind of pain, migraine headaches can often affect every day life. Some people lose their jobs because they’re unable to work some days due to the headaches. Since this can be such an issue, it’s important for migraine sufferers to figure out what makes them feel better, what triggers their headaches, and what can be done to prevent them.
What are migraine headaches?
Migraines are a neurological disorder that often manifests itself as a headache. A large number of the population experiences migraine headaches. They can occur as infrequent as once in a lifetime, or as often as once each day. Migraine symptoms differ with nearly every patient, but there are some key similarities and things to look out for.
Symptoms of migraine headaches:
- Intense pain on one or both sides of the head
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Migraine aura (a glowing light surrounding objects)
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Severe headaches lasting from one hour to several days without letting up
Having frequent migraine headaches can greatly affect the quality of life of the sufferer. Once a headache is at its worst, it is often impossible to drive or concentrate. This can prevent sufferers from traveling. Since light can negatively affect a migraine sufferer, operating computers while a headache is forming can cause it to come harder and faster. If the sufferer works with computers all day, this can cause them more headaches, or prevent them from coming in if they start to feel one. Since migraine headaches can cause such pains with everyday life, it’s important to figure out what makes them feel better or go away.
Ways to feel better:
What works for some people in the ways of soothing headaches may not work for others. If you’re a migraine sufferer who gets them often, though, it’s worth it to figure out what makes you feel better. The following is a list of things that have helped others who have migraine headaches. Since migraine headaches can often be sensed ahead of time, it’s wise to start these methods right away when you feel one coming on:
- Showers; taking a long shower that starts off warm and turns to cold
- Bed rest
- Peppermint tea (peppermint is proven to soothe the effects of headaches)
- Cold compacts pressed to forehead
- Darkness; turn down lights and cover windows
I have been a severe migraine sufferer for the majority of my life and have developed ways to make myself feel better. I’d like to pass this last tip on to the world so it can help others. I make what I call The Station. When I have a migraine headache, I fill up a bowl with ice water and set it next to my bed. I dip a washcloth into the ice water and drape it over my forehead and eyes to soothe the headache and help me fall asleep. This is usually what makes the headache go away for me, although it can sometimes take a few hours. Try The Station next time you have a migraine headache.
Migraine Triggers
There are certain things that can trigger migraines for people. They can be things you see, hear, or eat. There are many different things that have been noted to trigger headaches in migraine sufferers. Here is a short list:
- Caffeine
- Stress
- Brightness, glare, or sunlight
- Loud or sudden noises
- Missing meals or general malnutrition
Take note of what you ate or where you were each time you get a headache. Soon, you may see a pattern and learn what triggers your own. Since people experience migraine headaches in different ways, it’s almost impossible to pin down what definitely triggers them. Instead, it’s a journey that the migraine sufferer needs to go on themselves. Once you figure out what triggers the headaches, you’ll be able to control when you have them and how often you do.
Figure out what makes you feel better. Since migraine headaches can be so debilitating and can affect everyday life, it’s important to find ways to cope.
