The Struggle With Migraine Attacks
Migraine headaches are a debilitating and sometimes life-altering experience. Many people’s lives are drastically affected by the severity of migraine attacks, having to miss work, social activities, and more. It can even be difficult to go about daily activities when dealing with a migraine due to the sensitivity of light, sound, and even smell.
Triggers & Symptoms Of A Migraine Attack
Determining what your triggers are can be a great way to reduce the frequency of your migraine attacks. External triggers can include certain foods, environmental causes (such as sudden changes in temperature, humidity, or barometric pressure), stress, lack of sleep, skips in meals, strong smells, bright lights, and even too much caffeine. Internal triggers include hormone levels, especially in women, changes in the weather, and even genetics. Those suffering from a migraine may experience a variety of symptoms, which can vary from person to person. Symptoms may include a throbbing pain in the head, one-sided headache, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound. Other common symptoms can include confusion, speech or language difficulties, vision changes, tingling or numbness in the hands and feet, and dizziness or vertigo.
What We Can Do To Help
Pain Management
Once you know your external and internal triggers, this can help you to manage your pain and reduce the severity and frequency of attacks. Many medications are available to help manage the pain of a migraine, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, triptans, and antiemetics. Other options include lifestyle changes such as yoga, stress management, and avoiding known triggers.
Alternative Remedies
There are also some alternative remedies for managing migraine pain, such as acupuncture, massage, herbs, and aromatherapy. Some studies have shown that these types of therapies can be effective in reducing pain and decreasing the frequency of migraine attacks. Additionally, certain vitamins may also help, such as magnesium, B2, and CoQ10.
Support & Resources
Living with a chronic condition like migraine can be a struggle, but there are resources available to help. Reach out to family and friends for support, or look for support groups in your area. There are also online resources such as Woman Power Magazine which can provide information and resources on topics such as migraine attack prevention (https://wpower.media/page/migraine-attack-what-can-we-do-about-it).
Thoughts From Those Living With Migraines
Living with a chronic condition requires patience, resilience, and determination. Here are some thoughts and perspectives from those living with migraines and how they manage their pain:
- “I try to keep my stress levels low and my sleep patterns regular; it seems to really help reduce the severity of my migraines.”
- “I use a combination of medications, supplements, and lifestyle changes to manage my migraines. I also find that getting plenty of rest and relaxation helps too!”
- “It can be difficult to know what triggers my migraine attacks, so I make sure to keep a log of my activities and food intake to help narrow down the possibilities.”
- “I take advantage of holistic treatments and find that aromatherapy, acupuncture, and massage therapy really help to reduce my pain.”
Living with migraine can be a continuous challenge, but understanding what works for you and trying different approaches can help to reduce the frequency and severity of migraine attacks—allowing you to live a more balanced life.