Migraines: Natural Support Strategies

Often mistaken for a minor headache, migraines are severe and often accompanied by symptoms like nausea and vomiting. Migraines limit your ability to work and enjoy your leisure time.

If you have ever experienced the throbbing pain of a migraine, you know the value of finding natural remedies to relieve and prevent migraines.

It is the dream of all people to lead a healthy life, free from migraines and pain.

This article has insightful exposure to migraines, their types, signs and symptoms, leading causes, and natural support strategies for migraines.
 

What are Migraines?

A migraine is a neurological disease with pulsating pain that mainly occurs on only one side of the head–some people may experience it on both sides. Migraines can last from four to seventy-two hours and usually come with nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to sound or smell, and visual disturbance.

In Kansas City and other states of the US, migraines are chronic (one can experience 15 or more migraine episodes a month). Worldwide, Migraines affect over 1 billion people.

What are the causes of Migraines?

Some of the major causes of migraines are:
 

Viral Infections

Influenza virus, Rhinovirus, and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) can cause migraines.

Migraines may also occur during or after mononucleosis.

Chronic Stress and Poor SleepChronic stress and poor sleep may put your body into a cycle of fatigue, inflammation, and unwanted physical symptoms like migraines.

Nutritional Deficiencies

Nutritional deficiencies of the following can lead to migraines:

• Vitamin B2

• Folate

• Vitamin B12

• Vitamin D
   

Dehydration

When the body loses essential fluids and electrolytes necessary for optimal functioning, the brain can temporarily contract from fluid loss leading to a migraine.
 

Mold Exposure

Mold under the sink, basement, or other parts of the house is a severe problem in most homes in Kansas City and across the US that can lead to uncomfortable and painful symptoms like migraines and headaches.
 

Types of Migraines

You may experience different forms of migraines, such as:

• Migraines with Aura

An aura is a series of visual and sensory changes you may experience 10 to 30 minutes before a migraine. It includes black dots, zigzags, tingling, or numbness.
 

• Migraine without Aura

You may experience migraine without an aura, although the pulsing or throbbing pain and other symptoms are identical.
 

• Retinal Migraine

You may have a temporary vision loss in one eye and an aura.
 

• Chronic Migraine

Chronic migraines can occur for 15 or more days in a month. Chronic migraines are not always severe every day, so one may confuse them with tension or a sinus headache.
 

Signs and Symptoms of Migraines

Signs and symptoms of migraines vary with the several migraine stages, as shown below:
 

Prodrome

A day or two before the migraine occurs, you may experience the following:

• Constipation

• Food cravings

• Neck stiffness

• Frequent yawning
   

Aura

You may experience the following:

• Vision loss

• Hearing noises

• Jerking movements

• Difficulty speaking
   

Migraine Attack

The experience of a migraine attack includes:

• Throbbing or pulsing pain, usually on one side of the head, but sometimes on both sides

• Sensitivity to light, sounds, and sometimes touch or smell as well

• Nausea or vomiting
   

Post-drome

Sudden head movement after the migraine attack may result in some temporary pain. You may also feel drained, confused, or ecstatic.

Common Food Triggers

Certain foods or sensitivity to a particular food can trigger migraines. Eliminating typical food triggers may help in reducing or eliminating your migraines.

Typical food triggers include:

• Gluten

• Dairy

• Eggs

• Sugar
   

Natural Support Strategies for Migraines

If you experience regular migraines, you might look for solutions to naturally reduce or eliminate your migraine attacks.

Here are some recommendations you can use.
 

Icecap Migraine Cap

Icecap Migraine Cap has a therapy-grade non-toxic gel ice pack that you can heat or cool, depending on your needs. A tension band on the occipital area provides a perfect compression for migraine relief.
 

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Eating an anti-inflammatory diet can help you prevent migraines and improve your overall health.

Avoid refined sugar and oils, processed foods, artificial ingredients, and gluten, among other inflammatory foods.

It is advisable to consume raw greens, seeds, free-range poultry, wild-caught fish, free-range eggs, and grass-fed butter and ghee.
 

Deep Breathing Habits and Stress Management

Deep breathing exercises at least two to three times a day reduce the chances of getting a migraine.

Meditation, journaling, yoga, and spending time with loved ones reduce stress and migraines.
 

Optimize Hydration Levels

Consume eight to ten glasses of water daily and hydrate yourself with fruits and vegetables like celery, cucumber, lemons, and grapefruit.
 

CBD Oil

Cannabidiol (CBD oil) is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis that provides relief for migraines.
 

Natural Herbs

Natural herbs can improve your health, lower inflammation, and prevent migraine attacks.
 

Diffuse Essential Oils

Diffusing essential oils have calming and numbing effects that can relieve migraines.

Lavender oil has a sedative, calming, and mood stabilizer effect that can relieve your migraines.

Stay Healthy

Many natural support strategies can lessen or even eliminate the frequency and severity of your migraines.

If you want to do some research and learn as much as you can about how to control your migraines and which treatments work best for you and your unique condition, then the information in this article and links will give you a good foundation.