Lifestyle Changes To Manage Your Migraine

If you have ever had a migraine headache you know that it is no ordinary headache. Migraine headaches typically affect a half of the head and can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and increased sensitivity to sound and light. They generally last from a few hours to a few days and can even become chronic. Anything from a change in weather, stress, strong odours, lack of sleep, fluctuating oestrogen levels and consuming certain drinks and foods can result in a migraine headache. A combination of both medical treatments and lifestyle changes is often the most effective way to relieve migraines.

The following lifestyle changes can help reduce the number and intensity of migraine headaches, or even eliminate them altogether

 

Eat a Balanced and Regular Diet

Selecting healthy foods such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, healthy fats and lean proteins can help prevent frequent migraines. Adding whole grains and healthy fats into your diet can prevent migraines from occurring frequently. Fasting and skipping meals are both common triggers for migraine headaches. Keeping healthy snacks handy such as almonds, fruits and sliced vegetables can help avoid migraine headaches.

 

Get Exercise Regularly

Although exercising while you have a migraine headache can make symptoms worse, regular exercise while you are migraine-free can reduce migraine symptoms and lower your stress levels. Incorporating cardio, flexibility and strengthening exercises as part of your daily work-out will help your overall health as well as helping to reduce migraine attacks.

 

Reduce Your Stress Levels

High stress levels are often related to migraine headaches. It is recommended to take frequent breaks during stressful situations and relax. Managing your stress levels and calming strong emotions through exercise, relaxation, visualization, yoga, meditation or even just taking up a hobby you enjoy can help to reduce your migraine headaches or live migraine-free.

 

Avoid Dehydration

Make sure you are drinking enough water every day so you are adequately hydrated. People who are dehydrated tend to get migraine headaches more often, so increase your water consumption and reduce your alcohol consumption as alcohol causes dehydration.

 

Avoid Specific Foods

It is very helpful to identify what foods trigger your migraines and avoid them your dietary migraine triggers are and steer clear from them. These commonly include, chocolate, alcohol (particularly the sulphites in wine) and aged cheeses. Avoiding foods that contain many chemicals, artificial sweeteners and MSG can also reduce migraine attacks.

 

Have a Sleep Schedule

Having a schedule in general helps reduce migraines but having a sleep schedule really helps with getting adequate and quality sleep. Establish a fixed sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up at the same time every day. This helps to maintain a strong immune system, fight anxiety and depression, and promotes deep relaxation. Many migraine sufferers find that maintaining scheduling sleep is a key component in managing migraines.

The team at North Star Medical Center have a powerful therapy that can help stop your migraine in seconds if you if feel a migraine episode starting or have a migraine headache. Booking regular sessions can also help chronic sufferers reduce the number and frequency of migraine headaches. The advantages of this treatment are quick down time, minimal discomfort, fast treatment and relief. It is also fully covered by PPO and Medical Insurance. You can learn more about this therapy here.

 

We also provide physical therapy and holistic medicine services like acupuncture, and traditional treatment methods including medications and steroids. We are located in Lisle and service the cities of Naperville, Downers Grove, Glen Ellyn, Wheaton and Bolingbrook, IL, and offer the highest quality patient experience by ensuring safe, effective, and pain-free solutions. North Star Medical Center also offers Holistic

 

Chiropractic care and Physical Therapy, Pain control, Nutritional Response Testing, Holistic Medicine and more. Contact us at 1-630-795-1889 for information or if you are a new patient who would like to book your first appointment. Existing patients can book an appointment online on our website by clicking here:www.northstarmedicalcenter.com.

We look forward to serving you.