People who suffer from migraines understand how debilitating the condition can be. What starts out as fuzzy vision and a background throb quickly escalates into a merciless storm of pain. It renders you sightless, helpless and desperate. There’s drugs you can take of course, but sometimes they don’t work and sometimes the disease is preferable to the cure.
However there are some simple, natural ways to treat, or at least reduce the severity of, your migraine. Keep reading to hear our top 5 tips on prevention and relief.
Upping Vitamin D Intake
Whether you bustle around from building to building, or live somewhere that’s eternally overcast, it can sometimes be hard to soak up enough vitamin D throughout the day. Interestingly, research has shown there to be a correlation between living further away from the equator and a higher rate of headaches. The jury is still out on this one, however if you suffer from migraines and don’t get a lot of sun, this may be one to try.
If you’re worried about sun exposure you may want to talk to National Custom Compounding about specially formulated, high quality Vitamin D supplements.
Relaxation Methods
Get those yoga pants on because it’s time to de-stress (I know you have a pair somewhere). It is a known fact that stress causes tension in the body. Varying studies have indicated that stress directly triggers migraines, therefore by setting aside specific and deliberate relaxation time, their frequency can be minimised. Yoga, meditation or aroma therapy are activities that can suit every age and skill level.
Upping Hydration
How many times are we going to hear that we need to drink more water? Sources from the Mayo Clinic state, ‘dehydration alone may cause headache, but oftentimes exacerbates underlying medical conditions such as primary headache disorders or other conditions dependent on fluid balance’ So basically, drink up before the headache has a chance to set in.
Getting Enough Sleep
A simple, yet astoundingly restorative task, sleep will also aid in the prevention of migraines. The National Sleep Foundation recommends at least 7 hours of sleep a night. Anything less, and your body doesn’t have time to repair and rest properly.
Add Magnesium to Your Diet
Having correct levels of magnesium may be the answer you are looking for. Some people may benefit from taking a supplement, otherwise, a range of different foods have a high magnesium content. A selection of these foods include: almonds, bananas, cashews, avocados, brown rice and dark chocolate (85%) (I always knew chocolate had to be good for you!).
Takeaway
Overall, making an effort to go outside more, to rest, relax, or hydrate could be your solution (shocking, right?) Although we all know these habits are good for us, just like a new co-worker’s name, it often easily forgotten.
However, if these natural remedies don’t work, you may want to speak to your doctor about specialised medication.
Some people get severe side effects from migraine medication including nausea, brain fog and weight gain – this can especially happen if you’re taking medication for other conditions. Believe it or not, you can have medication tailor made to you in order to sidestep the additives.
A compounding pharmacist can ensure you are consuming exactly what you need, nothing more, and in your preferred form. Even vitamins (for instance Vitamin D or magnesium) could be compounded into a tablet convenient for you. If you wish to speak to one of our NCC doctors, they are contactable here.
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