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| Self-Treatment of Migraine Pain |
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An estimated 35 million Americans each year experience the pain and discomfort of migraine headaches - a chronic condition that can last for hours and sometimes even days. Usually beginning in childhood and adolescence, these "super-headaches" are often so debilitating that the sufferer wants nothing more than to find a cool, dark place to crawl into until the pain passes. Though sometimes preceded by the familiar warning signs of light flashes, spotty vision, or extremity tingling, it is just as likely that a migraine will appear without warning, leaving the victim with extreme pain, sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and even vomiting.
Because there is no cure for migraine headaches, patients who suffer from them on a regular basis must rely upon medications to reduce the number and strength of the migraines they experience. Without medication or other treatments, typical migraines last from several hours to several days. Most experts agree that the benefits of migraine medication can only be experienced to the fullest degree when accompanied by lifestyle choices and a migraine reaction plan designed to manage the symptoms when they arise.
If you experience regular migraines, you need to be aware of some of the self-help remedies that can help to ease the pain and discomfort. The first step of migraine self-help is to immediately withdraw from your regular routine. While most headaches allow patients to continue their daily activities - albeit painfully - migraines offer no such luxury. At the first sign of migraine symptoms, it is advisable that you find a quiet, dark room within which you can rest peacefully. For most sufferers, the accompanying sensitivity to light and sound is one of the worst aspects of migraine pain, and increases the levels of nausea.
Once sequestered, the application of cold and hot compresses to the affected area can provide relief from the pain, as can warm baths and showers. Cold compresses help to numb the affected area, while hot compresses ease muscle tension. In addition to these compresses, regular massaging of the temple and scalp area will help to relax you and reduce the amount of muscle tension. If you are taking aspirin or medication with acetaminophen, a beverage with caffeine can help to augment the pain-reducing capabilities of the medication.
In addition to these self-help remedies, you should also make an effort to control the lifestyle elements that can contribute to the migraines appearing. Diet, exercise, and sleep, as well as overall attitude, are all important aspects of migraine prevention and control. Eat on a regular basis, at roughly the same time every day - and be cognizant of any relationship between certain foods and migraines. If you find yourself getting migraines after eating a particular type of food, you may want to avoid that food to see if your migraines appear less frequently. Exercising regularly promotes the release of various chemicals that help to block pain, reduce anxiety, and improve mood. Moderate exercise is an important part of your migraine prevention efforts. Finally, be sure that you receive regular sleep, as a lack of sleep can leave you prone to more frequent and more severe migraine attacks.
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