Your guide to dealing with migraine the natural way

The worst way to wake up early morning is to wake up with migraine as you know your entire day is wasted, stuck in bed. According to experts, migraine can be defined as throbbing pain, which can be moderate to severe, in either one region of the head or the entire head. The pain can last up to 4 hours and is at times accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light and sound.

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What triggers migraine and how it affects varies from person to person, therefore remedies which may work for one person may not work for another person. However, this doesn’t mean that aren’t certain factors which are more likely to cause migraine headaches to majority of us. So, here is your brief guide on dealing with migraines naturally.

Food

One of the major reasons for these painful headaches is an empty stomach. An empty stomach is more likely to trigger an attack than anything else. Avoiding fasting, have regular small meals throughout the day. Foods which contain amino acids tyramine or phenylethylamine, such as cheese and chocolate are known to cause trigger attacks. Since coffee and tea are neuro- stimulators they can cause migraine to some people not all though. Chinese food containing Ajinomoto is also one of the main triggers of migraine.

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Food which can cause bloating and gas such as black lentils, red kidney beans and obviously junk food should be avoided. A high fatty acid diet along with spicy foods should be avoided. And this goes without saying that alcohol should obviously avoided. People who suffer from migraine should opt for a diet high in anti-oxidants and fiber. Opt for stomach relaxing fruits such as papaya and rather than having milk tea opt for the green tea. Your diet should consist of green vegetables; try to avoid red meat as much as possible. The key to avoiding migraine is a good gut health.

Environment

The weather and the environment you are in is also a factor that determines how frequently you get migraine. Extreme weather conditions can also trigger a migraine attack. Therefore, people are more prone to migraines in summers. However, in monsoon, the sudden change in temperature along with humidity is also a trigger. Sitting in the AC all day and then suddenly going outside in the humidity can trigger a migraine too.

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For some people, the smell of a strong perfume can also trigger a migraine. While for some, flickering lights or lights which are too bright, like the sunlight, can be a trigger also. One needs to figure out what environmental factors can trigger a migraine in order to prevent it.

Lifestyle

A stress free lifestyle is essential to avoid migraine. Stress, anxiety, worry, nervousness can all trigger migraine. Lack of sleep is one of the main reasons why people are more prone to migraines. A disciplined, scheduled and a fit lifestyle is key to ward off migraine.

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People also need a digital detox where they give themselves a break from their phones and laptops. Exercise, yoga and meditation are all a must in order to prevent migraines. In most cases of migraine, people are sensitive to noise also. In such cases people should avoid plugging in headphones and listening to loud music, they should prefer to stay in a quite environment.

Inputs by Dr. Jyoti B Sharma, Senior Consultant, Neurology Fortis Hospital and Dr Puneet Agarwal, Head of Department, Neurology Max Hospital, Saket.

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