A recent article in Scientific American has reported that the cause of migraines is likely to be a physical problem with the brain stem rather than a circulation problem as has been assumed for many years. Regardless of what causes the migraine (and there’s probably more than one cause) there are things to try that have been effective for some of the sufferers. What seems to be true is that migraines feel different for each person and are triggered by different things. What helps one person’s migraines may not help another sufferer.
Triggers
After the migraine sufferer has had the problem for a while, they probably have figured out what triggers their attacks. Here’s a few things that are known to be triggers in some people:
- Food and Drink: Certain foods, especially wheat, dairy, sugar, artificial preservatives or chemical additives. Possibilities are cured or processed meats, alcohol, aspartame, caffeine, and MSG.
- Allergies: Food allergies and food sensitivities, or chemical sensitivities can be very subtle; look closely at your diet and environment.
- Dehydration or Hunger: Are you drinking enough water?
- Changes in sleeping cycle: Both missing sleep and oversleeping can trigger a migraine.
- Stress: Wouldn’t it be nice if we could avoid stress. Learn relaxation techniques.
- Physical exertion: Exercise moderately.
- Hormones: Women can get some help adjusting their hormones during the monthly cycle.
- External stimuli: Bright lights, fluorescent lights, loud noises and strong smells (even pleasant ones) can trigger a migraine.
- Weather changes, Seasonal changes.
Things to Try When a Migraine Arrives
Every migraine sufferer knows the standard coping activities—dark room, quiet, etc. Here’s a few more that you may not have heard of:
- Stimulate your body's natural painkilling ability. Put pressure on a nerve just under your eyebrow; feel around just above the eyeball, you may find an area of intense pain. Holding pressure on this spot can cause your pituitary gland to release painkilling endorphins immediately.
- Take 10 teaspoons of cayenne pepper in a glass of water to release endorphins in your brain when the cayenne hits your stomach lining.
- Use Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). This simple process provides relief 50 percent to 80 percent of the time and, in many cases, the relief is complete and permanent. A therapist can provide some assistance with EFT if needed.
- Green apple scent. One study found that the scent significantly relieved migraine pain. This may also work with other scents that you enjoy so consulting with an aromatherapist may be beneficial.
- Look on the internet for one of the many support groups.
Note - This article is not meant to diagnose or treat any kind of illness. Always speak to your doctor if you have any medical concerns.
