7 easy ways to stop a migraine

Knowing your triggers is the first step to being pain-free in the future

If you’ve ever had a migraine you’ll know how this type of headache can be severe and disrupt your ability to function. The cause isn’t fully understood – it may be related to the blood vessels in the brain; a change in neurochemicals; hormones of the menstrual cycle; or have a genetic reason – it tends to run in families.

Migraines tend to affect one side of the head, can be severe or throbbing and may be associated with nausea or vomiting or sensitivity to light and sound (meaning you want to lie down in a dark, quiet room). Some people may also have a migraine aura, which is a warning sign before the pain starts. Most commonly these are visual symptoms, such as zig-zag lines or shimmering in your vision, but can also be pins and needles or tingling or other neurological symptoms. Fortunately, there are some easy prevention techniques which can help prevent migraines in the long-term. Here’s how to stop them before they start.

1 START A MIGRAINE DIARY

Write down where you are in your menstrual cycle (if you have one) and what you eat/drink and did that day, including activity levels. If you had a migraine, be sure to record your symptoms and their severity and other factors, for example, if you had a stressful issue at work or home. The diary can then be used to see if you have particular triggers for your migraines, which you could then try to avoid.

2 WATCH YOUR DIET

Common dietary triggers include not eating enough, or eating meals irregularly, dehydration, as well as particular food such as red wine, cheese, chocolate (often dark chocolate), citrus and foods containing the additive tyramine.

3 CHECK YOUR MEDICATION

Some medications can trigger migraines, such as certain sleeping pills, or the combined oral contraceptive pill. Speak to your GP if you feel that’s the case for you.

4 BE AWARE OF YOUR HORMONES

Migraines may be related to the menstrual cycle or worsen around the perimenopause.

5 ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

These can include glaring or flickering lights, too much time on screens, loud noises or strong smells. You may also notice that changing sleep patterns, for example shift work, can trigger migraines.

6 PSYCHOLOGICAL TRIGGERS

Stress, fatigue and anxiety are major causes of migraines. Interestingly, relaxing can also trigger a migraine. If you manage a stressful job all week and then get migraines when you relax, it’s known as the ‘weekend migraine’.

7 SPEAK TO YOUR PHARMACIST

If avoiding triggers doesn’t work or isn’t possible, then treatments are available. These include over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol, as well as anti-sickness medication, if needed. Triptans are a group of medications which affect 5HT or serotonin in the brain and can help treat a migraine once it has started.