I created this post as part of a campaign by Teva Pharmaceuticals. I received an American Express gift card for participating.
I know we’ve talked about migraine headaches before because I suffer from them on a fairly regular basis. I’ve learned a lot about how to help manage them better so they’re usually not as frequent or severe as they were even a year ago, but I still get them and they still interrupt my life and steal precious time away from me. The tough part is that sometimes the headache that comes with migraine is only part of the problem. In addition to the horrible head pain, migraine can include nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound, which are enough to put a migraine sufferer out of commission for hours or sometimes days. I’ve battled all of these symptoms and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.
What We Know About Migraines
Nearly 36 million Americans suffer from migraine so no, you absolutely are not alone. If you are fortunate enough not to suffer from migraines, chances are good that a friend, family member, or someone you know does. There are several known triggers of migraine, such as changes in weather, lack of sleep, bright lights and stress that migraineurs should be aware of. My particular migraines are triggered by tension and pain due to arthritis in my neck so there’s no one thing that causes a migraine – every person is different.
Tips for Migraine Sufferers
While you may not be able to stop them entirely, there are things you can do to help reduce the frequency and severity of migraines. A good start is to keep a migraine diary to record your daily activities and identify patterns in what preceded a migraine. Once you have an idea about when and why they occur, you’re better equipped to take steps to try and tackle the problem and have some important discussions with your doctor because they may have some ideas that can also help.
In addition to your doctor-prescribed treatment you can also create a migraine “kit” to prepare for a sudden attack because as much as I wish you could know ahead of time, these bad boys are never planned. For example, sunglasses can help with light sensitivity, and as gross as it sounds, it’s best to be prepared for the worst case scenario, and a plastic bag or basin may be necessary if any nausea or vomiting occurs. Resting in a dark, cool, quiet area can also help as well if there is a place available to sneak off too and sleep, sleep never a bad option if possible.
For even more information about migraines, symptom, causes, or to sign up to receive migraine tips be sure to visit MoreToMigraine.com.
