How to Naturally Deal with Chronic Migraines
As a chronic condition that can burden everyday life for some adults and children alike, migraines can be debilitating.
Migraines are part of a neurological ailment often carrying other symptoms, including:
These natural migraine remedies have been used for eons:
Continual dehydration is a common cause of migraines and tension headaches. Inadequate hydration can also provoke irritability and impair concentration. Drinking water can relieve headache symptoms for most dried out individuals between 30 minutes and 3 hours.
Eat water-rich foods (strawberries, cucumbers, watermelon, peaches, celery, and more) and drink enough water during the day to prevent dehydration headaches.
Sleep deprivation causes a host of issues in the body and is detrimental to your health. Studies have shown people who slept less than 6 hours a night or over 10 hours to have more severe and frequent headaches. For best results, 7 to 9 hours of sleep is ideal.
Essential oils are potent liquids containing fragrant compounds from various plants. They’re often used as an antimicrobial or natural remedy.
Lavender and peppermint essential oils are notably beneficial when trying to alleviate a headache. Peppermint oil applied to the temples has been shown to reduce tension headache symptoms. Lavender oil is remarkably effective at minimizing migraine pain when applied to your top lip and inhaled. There are even essential oil applicators that roll on for headache relief!
Stress can spawn a cycle where migraine discomfort worsens the stress, thus bringing about another migraine. Find ways to relieve your stress. Exercising, journaling, painting, yoga, or meditation assist with migraine prevention. Taking a stress management class has also shown to be beneficial to some. Seizing control of your body’s response to life stressors is helpful for migraine avoidance.
Migraine frequency and pain can be reduced by ingesting feverfew and butterbur. Taking a 150 mg daily dose of butterbur for 3 months has been effective in reducing reoccurring migraines. Feverfew contains anti-inflammatory properties, as well as butterbur. Some claim feverfew supplements taken in doses of 50 to 150 mg daily reduces the frequency of migraines. There is insufficient evidence to support this claim.
Consult your physician before trying butterbur or feverfew, as they may clash with any preexisting conditions or medications you’re taking. These herbs can carry risks for some people.
A Traditional Chinese medicine technique, acupuncture involves inserting fine needles in the skin to trigger particular points on the body.
Acupuncture can be as effective as typically available migraine medications. As one of the more natural choices, acupuncture may be a beneficial option for relief. Seek a licensed practitioner if you’re interested in acupuncture treatments.
A class of water-soluble micronutrients, B vitamins play a role in managing neurotransmitters in the brain and assist in turning food into energy.
Some B vitamins help protect against headaches and migraines. Folate, B2, B6, and B12 may also reduce headache symptoms. A B-complex vitamin is a cost-effective way to get all 8 B vitamins at once and naturally treat your painful symptoms.
For some, a hot or cold compress applied directly to their source of pain (in this case, your head or neck) has been beneficial in the reduction of migraine symptoms. Applying a frozen or cold compress will slow nerve conduction, decrease inflammation, and constrict your blood vessels, which all help to lower your migraine pain.
You can make a cold compress yourself at home by filling a leak-proof bag with ice and holding it with a soft cloth. Some people even just grab a bag of frozen veggies they already have in their freezer for their make-shift ice pack. Apply the compress to your temples, head, or neck to ease your headache.
Many people are negatively impacted by migraines, making finding effective and natural treatment solutions a priority. Work with your doctor to find a treatment regimen that’s best for you, regardless if you choose a holistic approach or not.
