Migraine headaches are debilitating for so many and just don’t have to be.
Here are a few things to consider:
1. Know your food triggers and remove them. If you don’t know, consider some of these things: wheat/gluten, dairy, sugar, preservatives including MSG, alcohol, artificial sweeteners especially aspartame, eggs citrus, corn or soy
2. Caffeine: either too much or too little can lead to a migraine depending on whether you regularly consume caffeine or you are particularly sensitive to it.
3. Hunger and Thirst: make sure you aren’t dehydrated (by drinking half or your body weight in ounces of water) or hungry (by not skipping meals and by eating foods that are high in nutrition)
4. Sleep: again, too little or too much can lead to a migraine. Try to get 8 hours every night and be consistent about it.
5. Hormones – whether you are a woman with irregularities in your menstrual cycle or having menopausal symptoms, or a man who’s had stress in your life, it would be worth checking your levels and balancing these out. I’ve seen low estrogen, low progesterone and low testosterone contribute to migraines.
6. Nutrients that are often depleted in people with migraines: try replacing CoQ-10, B-vitamins, Magnesium or Vitamin D.
7. The Power of Scents: everyone reacts differently to different scents, but a few that have been know to help with migraines are lavender, green apple and peppermint. Use the essential oil and even put it into a small spritzer to spritz on your face or your pillow at night.
9. Hot and Cold: thermal treatments can often help with migraines – Try putting your feet in hot water while you have a cold pack on your neck.
