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Migraine: 8 everyday tips to help you cope

Over-the-counter remedies, such as Imigran Recovery are helping people claim their lives back from migraine but there are also some more general steps all sufferers can take to help combat the condition

Suffering from migraine can have a devastating impact, both on your social and work life.

As well as being a debilitating and unpleasant condition, sufferers often feel they have let down colleagues if they have to leave work early or disappointed friends when they have to cancel plans at the last minute.

Tips to beat migraine:

Be familiar with your triggers
There are many potential triggers for migraine and they vary from person to person. Food is a common theme but factors such as irregular sleep patterns, emotional stress and even strenuous sexual activity have been mentioned by sufferers.

The sooner you identify the root cause of your migraine, the sooner you can begin to take steps to combat it.

Keep a migraine diary
Noting the date, time of day, weather, type of pain, possible triggers and duration of the migraine will help you and your doctor or pharmacist gain a better understanding of how to deal with your symptoms.

Stay hydrated
Drinking plenty of water throughout the day can help stave off dehydration and is particularly relevant if your migraine causes you to vomit or sweat a lot.

Reach for the ginger
A study published in the 2005 Journal of Medicinal Food suggests ginger extract inhibits several genes which are known to cause inflammation. Ginger is also thought to decrease the tendency of blood platelets to clump together, which may help ease migraine headache pain.

Massage away the pain
A recent study examining the effect of massage on migraine suggested positive results.¹ Specifically, massage therapy subjects showed an increase in serotonin levels - a neurotransmitter found in the brain that is involved in migraine.

Relaxation techniques
Relaxation can be an important part of headache and migraine prevention.¹ Try taking slow, controlled breaths, relaxing your body gradually with each breath. Deep breathing is thought to oxygenate the body more effectively and ultimately help prevent headaches and other ailments.

Stay healthy and active
As with relaxation, strenuous exercise can sometimes trigger migraine but as a general rule, plenty of fresh air, walking instead of using the car where possible and maintaining a healthy lifestyle will leave you better prepared.

Act fast
If you are taking medication or have some alternative techniques you use to help alleviate the pain, put these into practice at the first sign of an attack to increase your chances of swift recovery. (Imigran Recovery should not be taken unless you are sure you have a migraine. Download and complete the questionnaire to discover if you have migraine).

References:

1. www.headacheexpert.co.uk

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