With Migraine Awareness Week taking place this week I thought these useful tips on managing your migraines from Migraine Relief Centre might be helpful to sufferers of migraine.
With the longer days and hotter temperatures comes an increase in migraine attacks for many people. Changes in weather (due to barometric pressure changes) can trigger migraines, and high heat can increase dehydration and exhaustion.
If you want to enjoy your summer to the fullest without being held down by head pain, here are some tips for coping with migraine during the summer season.
- Stay hydrated. You will sweat more when the temperatures are hotter, which means you should be drinking more water to replenish. Eating more fresh fruit and vegetables also helps increase your water intake.
- Exercise with caution. If you prefer to exercise outdoors, try to do so in the early morning or late evening. Otherwise, consider moving your exercising indoors to avoid over-exerting yourself in the heat.
- Protect your eyes. Many people with migraines are triggered by light. Protect your eyes against the bright summer sun with high quality sunglasses.
- Be prepared. If you are traveling or going out for the day, be sure to bring with you a kit with anything you may need in case of migraine attack (including things like medication, sunglasses, earplugs, etc.).
Everyone should be able to enjoy the summertime, including those of us who are dealing with chronic migraines. If your migraines are keeping you from living your everyday life, schedule an evaluationwith our doctors to find out what treatment solution is best for you.
Migraines are a common health condition, which normally begins in early adulthood. Usually, a migraine is felt as a throbbing pain on one side of the head, although sometimes it can affect both sides of your head. Some people may suffer from frequent migraine attacks, up to several times a week in severe cases, whereas others can go years without experiencing an episode. It’s thought that around one in every five women and one in every fifteen men are affected by migraines.
The main symptom of a migraine is a moderate/severe headache on one side of the head. Migraine symptoms usually differ for each individual so it’s not unusual for pain to occur on both sides of your head, your face or even your neck.
Additional symptoms often associated with migraines include:
- feeling nauseous
- being sick
- sensitivity to light or sound (this is why lots of migraine sufferers like to rest in a dark and quiet room)
Migraine sufferers may occasionally experience other symptoms such as:
- poor concentration
- feeling either very hot or very cold
- stomach pain
- diarrhoea
Migraine symptoms can last anywhere between four hours and up to three days in very severe instances. If you have had a particularly bad migraine you might feel very tired afterwards, so it’s important to get plenty of rest.
A couple of links from Migraine Relief Centre may also help if you are struggling with the pain. Which medications can help prevent migraine? and The Five Best Stretches to Help with Migraine.
Source: Migraine Relief Centre, Healthline, Medical News Today and Nurofen.
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