Migraines

Debilitating headaches that interfere with ones’ ability to function in daily life are commonly known as migraines. True migraines are thought to affect 8% of the population, with a large percentage of people also experiencing cluster or tension headaches. In any case, natural cures and home remedies provide immeasurable benefits when it comes to preventing and treating migraine and headache pain at home. If persistent migraines are affecting you, then a doctor should be seen to investigate the problem further and medication can be discussed if desired.

Symptoms of a Migraine:

A migraine is characterized by an intense headache that can last up to 72 hours. Often, it is only present on one side of the head and can be accompanied by the following symptoms:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Flashing lights or spots in the vision
• Irritability
• Poor concentration
• Sweating
• Tingling pain in the arms and legs
• Sensitivity to light and noise
• Stomach pain

Causes of a Migraine:

While the exact cause of a migraine is unknown, there are many triggers that have been proven to begin these terrible headaches. We also know that they are a result of decreased blood circulation to the head. When considering a natural cure for a migraine, also consider avoiding these common triggers:

• Fatigue
• Stress
• Tension
• Certain prescription medications (check with your doctor)
• The combined birth control pill
• Alcohol
• Certain foods (foods with MSG, processed foods)
• Strong smells (perfumes, chemicals)

Natural Cures for Migraine:

Prevention is the best medicine for a migraine, and most sufferers will learn what triggers an attack. However, if you are unfortunate enough to experience one at any given time, here are some home remedies that can help to ease the pain.

• At the first sign of a migraine, put a cold cloth on your forehead and lie in a dark room. Lack of light and sound work as a great home remedy for migraines.
• Take a painkiller before the intense pain starts and keep dosing every 4-6 hrs (or as recommended on the bottle- be careful not to take more than the required adult dose) until the migraine is finished.
• Avoid foods with MSG in it.
• Use a few drops of lavender essential oil on a cloth and inhale the smell for pain relief. Exercise- even though the last thing you may want to do with a migraine is exercise, it really does help to reduce pain and the length of the attack.
• Reflexology- See a reflexologist or have someone give you a deep foot massage. As a migraine sufferer, I have had to rush to see a reflexologist when nothing else was working and within 20 minutes of the treatment being over I was fine! It is a more costly home remedy but well worth the money if nothing else seems to be working.
• Rub peppermint oil on your neck and scalp and massage all over using small, slow circles. This natural cure works even better if you can have someone do the massaging for you.
• Immerse your hands in a sink filled with hot water to pull tension from the head out through the fingertips.
• Acupuncture is a home remedy that can be very useful in pain relief for migraines as well as preventing future attacks. Again, it is one of the more costly natural cures but can have lasting results.
• Invest in an eye pillow. Small pillows filled with things like flaxseed and lavender can be heated or cooled as you wish for pain relief, and also block out the light which can intensify a migraine.