9 Things You Should Know If You Have Migraines

In the digital age, individuals are spending more time staring at screens than ever before. Most of these screens are parts of small handheld devices. Users hunch over their technology, creating adverse physical effects.

A common symptom of excessive screen use is headaches. The more extreme and unpleasant version of the symptom appears as a migraine. There are nine ways individuals can prevent and reduce migraines by changing their lifestyles and using pain reduction additives. 

1. Stay Hydrated

Dehydration can cause migraines and increase their severity. When your fluid intake is low, your brain may contract and pull away from the skull. The change in pressure inside your skull causes pain.

Individuals may decrease their risk for migraines and lessen general pain by drinking more water. Medical professionals view water consumption as a low-cost and effective way to treat head pain. It effectively increases one’s electrolyte levels, improving their health and well-being.

2. Apply a Warm Compress to Your Head

If you experience discomfort when sick, professionals may tell you to take a warm shower or bath. The heat increases blood flow in your body, helping you process toxins quickly. Using a hot compress on your forehead when experiencing a migraine works similarly.

The heat increases blood flow in the head and soothes pain. It also opens your sinuses, which may be causing a migraine.

3. Reduce TMJ with Botox

Another form of migraine treatment uses botulinum toxin. Many headaches derive from temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder when individuals clench their jaws or grind their teeth. Professionals inject patients with BOTOX to relieve TMJ tension, reducing one’s risk of clenching and grinding.

4. Use Lavender Essential Oils

Individuals can also reduce migraine pain by using lavender essential oils. Rubbing the oil on your temples and the back of your neck can effectively decrease the severity and frequency of head pain. Inhaling the plant medicine may also improve migraine discomfort.

Researchers found that patients responded positively to using lavender as a pain management remedy. The oil may effectively decrease one’s use of pharmaceuticals.  

5. Rest in a Dark Room

Light worsens migraines because it places strain on the optic nerve. It also turns cells in the retina called melanopsin photoreceptors outward, increasing one’s risk of head pain. The region of the brain reacting to light remains active for extended periods, even in dark places.

Resting for 20 to 30 minutes in a dark room can allow your body to readjust, providing relief to the triggered parts of your brain. Decreasing your exposure to blue light also prevents discomfort and strain on your eyes, reducing migraines.

6. Practice Routine Meditation

Researchers also discovered a link between meditation and migraine relief, making it a suitable treatment option. Individuals experiencing migraines have less gray matter in their brains compared to other people. The brain occurrence causes emotional regulation, memory, problem-solving, and memory issues.

The individuals also have lower levels of serotonin, melatonin, dopamine, norepinephrine and cortisol. Meditation helps the brain build back gray matter, influencing neurotransmitter functions. Routine meditation practices can prevent migraines and lessen their severity over time.

7. Exercise Regularly

Another way to reduce and prevent migraines is by exercising regularly. Researchers found routine aerobic exercise can effectively reduce the number of migraines individuals experience each week. Working out increases hormone stability, reducing stress on the body.

It significantly lowers cortisol and adrenaline levels throughout the day, minimizing one’s risk for headaches. Exercising also increases an individual’s quality of life by elevating their mood and producing endorphins.

8. Massage Your Temples

Individuals can relieve their own migraines without pharmaceuticals or professional intervention using self-massage. Temple massages may reduce pain and tension in your head, lessening migraine discomfort. You can practice the relief technique by placing your thumbs or peace fingers at the top of your cheekbones, by your ears.

Then, you may apply a bit of pressure as you move your fingers clockwise. Additionally, you can repeat the motion on the soft spot of tissue between the corner of your eyes and the tops of your ears. Massaging your scalp and forehead may also reduce pressure in your head, reducing migraines.

9. Limit Screen Time

Medical professionals noticed an increase in patients with migraines during the COVID-19 pandemic. The occurrence partly derived from a rise in screen time. Light sensitivity is a common symptom and cause of migraines.

Watching videos and scrolling specifically cause eye strain, triggering head pain. The contrast between light and dark colors, flashing lights and flickering also cause migraines. Excessive laptop and smartphone use can negatively affect one’s posture, contributing to other types of headaches.

When individuals reduce their screen time, they can protect themselves from eye strain and improve their posture.

Choosing the Best Treatment Method for You

If you or your loved ones are struggling with migraines, it is essential to contact a medical professional before engaging with different forms of treatment. While the nine prevention and reduction methods listed above are relatively safe, identifying the source of head pain is crucial. Many individuals treat the symptoms of their migraines rather than identifying their origin.

Once you discover the cause of your discomfort, you can target the source and effectively prevent future headaches. You may also bring your list of low-impact treatments to your doctor’s appointment, gaining insight on the best relief method for your type of migraine.