7 Steps To Avoid Your Migraine Triggers
Outsmart your migraines by keeping track of it with a migraine diary. Note down information with each headache including – What were you doing when your headache came on? Were you eating something? How much sleep did you get last night?
A little list of what to expect from your diary as you learn your personal triggers, you might find that these things tend to lead to your migraine :
- Stress
- Menstrual periods
- Changes in your normal sleep pattern
- Extreme fatigue
- Certain foods and drinks
- Too much caffeine or withdrawal from it
- Skipping meals or fasting
- Changes in the weather
- Exercise
- Smoking
- Bright, flickering lights
- Certain smells
Some other steps you can take to help prevent a migraine are :
1. Watch what you eat and drink.
As you write down what foods and drinks you’ve been taking before your triggers, you might find a similar pattern over time. Usually if a food item causes a migraine an hour after consumption, it could be your food trigger. Abstain from those items.
2. Eat regularly.
Avoid skipping meals. Try and eat every 2-3 hours. This helps prevent migraine attacks.
3. Be careful about exercises.
Exercises are vital for a healthy lifestyle, but it can also trigger headaches for some people. It is best to consult a physician, if you get headaches after any physical activity or exercise.
4. Ease the caffeine.
Caffeine can help migraines but too much of anything in your diet is not good for you. Having more than 2 cups of coffee a day can put you at a risk of caffeine withdrawal headaches. Ease of caffeine slowly and steady.
5. Aim to sleep for 7-8 hours.
Try to sleep and wake up at the same time even on weekends. Any change in your cycle may trigger a migraine.
6. Downsize your stress- Regular meditation helps.
Stress is one of the most common causes of a migraine. Practicing mindfulness meditation regularly helps control stress. Counseling and stress management classes are also great to try; music, yoga and exercises are also effective stress busters.
7. Get help.
Migraines can easily be treated with the right medications and lifestyle modification. Get in touch with a headache expert to feel better and improve your quality of life.
Related Articles:
Have a Headache? It Could be a Migraine
Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information.
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