What To Do If You Have A Migraine

If you suffer from migraine attacks it can be very debilitating. Whether you have suffered for a while or are new to migraines there are some things you can do to manage the pain. Let's have a look at what you can do if you have a migraine.

What is a migraine?

A migraine is a moderate to severe headache often with throbbing pain. Other symptoms may be a sensitivity to light or a feeling of sickness, disturbed vision, and auras or sensory disturbances. Migraines can be triggered by stress, tiredness, certain food or drink and hormones related to women’s periods. 

Initial treatment

Treatment for migraines vary and the effectiveness is very individual. Initially, certain things are thought to help.

Sitting in a dark room or sleeping helps a large proportion of people. Other people find that eating something can help them too if hunger has brought on the migraine. 

Painkillers should be taken at the initial symptoms. Non-steroid anti-inflammatory painkillers like Ibuprofen or other painkillers like Paracetamol can help. Dissolvable tablets get into your bloodstream quickly and are a better option than normal tablets. For even faster relief, consider getting an IV drip in London home. Migraine infusion cocktails help hydrate the body and deliver vitamins and medicine directly to the bloodstream, ensuring a higher absorption rate for ultimate relief

You may be able to buy medication, especially for migraine relief over the counter and they are often a combination of painkillers and anti-sickness medication. Of course, always follow the instructions on the packet and take only the recommended dose.

GP advice

If you find that over the counter medications are not helping it's best to make an appointment with your GP to discuss alternatives. They may suggest Triptan medication specifically for migraines. These medications were devised in the ’90s for cluster headaches and migraines. These should be taken at the first sign of a migraine. 

They may also prescribe anti-sickness medication if you have nausea when you have your migraines and this will be stronger than over the counter anti-sickness medication. 

Alternative treatment

There are some alternative treatments that anecdotal evidence suggests may work for some.

Acupuncture is one alternative treatment that is thought to help some people. A course of treatment rather than one session is mostly beneficial. As it's an alternative therapy it may not work for everyone.

Paingone Qalm is another alternative therapy for migraine relief. This treatment uses transcutaneous nerve stimulation which is applied directly to the forehead and is designed to alleviate migraine attacks. 

Preventative measures

Rather than treating the migraine when it happens, it's worth keeping a diary if you are having regular migraines to identify any triggers. Chocolate, processed food, alcohol and caffeine are common triggers of migraines and altering your diet so you avoid these triggers could be extremely beneficial. If stress is a trigger, then trying to avoid what is stressing you (easier said than done!) and learning stress-relieving coping mechanisms like meditation and exercise could help.  If tiredness brings on migraines, see if there is any way you can get more rest.  Try to identify what brings on the migraines and learn to avoid the trigger is the best advice. 

In conclusion, migraine attacks can be painful and debilitating but with a combination of pain relief, natural remedies, and preventative measures you can combat the worst of the symptoms.

*Collaborative post