MIGRAINE TIPS

The biggest problem with the holiday season for migraine sufferers is falling out of a regular routine, said Charles Flippen II, clinical professor of neurology at David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Flippen, a fellow of the American Academy of Neurology, offers some tips for managing migraines:

• Try not to overdo it.

• Keep equilibrium in your life. Stick to regular patterns — eat at the same time and get the same amount of sleep.

• Stay hydrated. Colder weather brings a drier atmosphere, so use a humidifier and increase water intake.

• “Don’t pass up those cups of water” when flying. Also consider limiting caffeine during the flight.

• Drink water when consuming alcohol since alcohol dehydrates.

• Avoid alcohol if you know it triggers migraines.

• Keep medication with you at all times and within easy reach. Act quickly. To be effective, abortive medications should be taken in the first 20 to 25 minutes of a headache starting.

• Try to reduce stress when travelling: confirm plans, get to the airport in plenty of time and have a plan to occupy children if a flight is delayed. If things change, “roll with the punches.”

• If prescriptions aren’t available, try over-the-counter medication such as ibuprofen, drink water and find some isolation to fall asleep. A compress on the forehead can help.