It’s Migraine and
Headache Awareness Month and in this blog post I want to focus on migraines. If
you are one of the unlucky people who suffer from migraines, you know that
while a migraine is often accompanied by head pain, it’s much more than just a
bad headache. The International Headache Society diagnoses a migraine by its
pain, as well as number and length of attacks, and additional symptoms
including nausea and/or vomiting, or sensitivity to both light and sound.
The National
Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) estimates that 10% of
the population suffers from migraines with three times as many women than men
having migraine attacks. Since migraines aren’t yet fully understood, there is
no magic bullet – no surefire way to prevent or treat migraines. However, since
we do know what triggers migraines, there are a number of different steps you
can take that may prevent or minimize the severity of migraine attacks.
Different migraine triggers include stress, changes in the weather or heat,
hormonal changes or imbalances, bright or flashing lights, dehydration, lack of
food or sleep, and dietary substances.
If you’re
suffering negative side effects or ineffectiveness of prescription or
over-the-counter medication, or want to find natural solutions to your migraine
pain, keep reading. I believe the best migraine is the one that never takes
hold, so here are eight things you can do that can help prevent, or at least
minimize your migraine suffering:
Migrane
1. Identify your
trigger(s) - While migraines are believed to be genetic, it’s usually possible
to identify your trigger, whether it’s hormones, stress or an environmental
factor such as weather or specific foods.
When you know your trigger, you can take steps to avoid it or to prevent
a migraine from taking hold when a trigger can’t be avoided (see tip #2).
2. Take ClearMigraine and/or Clear Headache – When you feel a migraine coming on, take ClearMigraine right away to help stop your migraine in its tracks. Clear headache
can be taken to prevent a headache or migraine when triggers such as weather,
hormone changes or excessive stress can’t be avoided. Clear Headache can safely
be taken continuously for 2-3 months at a time during allergy season, or
anytime you’re exposed to a trigger. Both formulas give you the added benefit
of preventing and minimizing the intensity of future migraines and headaches
while supporting the natural balance of the body.
3. Relax – Stress
has become a way of life for most of us, and is a major trigger for headaches
and migraines. While it’s impossible to remove all the stressors from our life,
there are many steps we can take to create more harmony and balance. Whether
it’s yoga, walking, tai chi or a new and relaxing hobby, you can prevent and
minimize migraine pain by making peace a priority in your life.
4. Optimize your
diet –To prevent migraines (and many other ailments) your first dietary
priority should be to drink plenty of water every day since dehydration
triggers headaches and migraines. Also, avoid migraine triggering foods and
beverages such as red wine, aged cheeses, processed meats and pickled foods.
Basically it’s important to stay away from tyramine, nitrites and nitrates, MSG
and artificial food coloring.
5. Learn about
Migraine preventing supplements, vitamins and herbs – Coenzyme Q10 has been
proven to reduce the number of migraine attacks in many sufferers, while omega
3 fatty acids, riboflavin and magnesium have been shown to also prevent
migraines. Herbs like butterbur and feverfew (which can be found in ClearHeadache and Clear Migraine) are also effective migraine busters.
6. Sleep Tight –
wait no, you want to sleep relaxed… and for at least 7 hours per night on a comfortable,
supportive mattress with a thin pillow. Quality sleep elevates naturally
occurring migraine-preventing chemicals like dopamine and serotonin.
7. Acupuncture -
Acupuncture has not only helped reduce the severity and length of migraines for
many, it has reduced or even stopped the recurrence of their migraines. With
acupuncture, small needles are inserted into specific points of the body to
open blocked energy channels, reduce muscle tension and encourage the release
of painkilling endorphins.
8. Biofeedback –
This safe and natural process teaches you to employ stress reduction skills by
providing feedback on common stress metrics like muscle tension, skin
temperature, brain wave activity and pulse. Since the amount of blood flow in
the brain is different during migraine and non-migraine times, biofeedback can
help train you to influence the flow of blood through your brain in order to
reduce the frequency and duration of migraines. You can visit a biofeedback
clinic or purchase a biofeedback device.
Dr. Stas' Ozog III, Ph.D.(A.M.), L.Ac., Dipl. A & C.H.(NCCAOM), MTOM
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