How to Get Rid of a Migraine?

Research on migraines is rapidly evolving, with significant breakthroughs in recent years. It is now understood that all migraines have a genetic basis. A single gene defect causes some types, while others are polygenic, involving multiple genes.

At its core, migraine is a type of sensory processing disorder in which the brain overreacts to various sensory inputs. 

The physiology of migraines is complex and needs to be fully understood. However, when a sensory overload triggers a migraine, the brain becomes overexcited, initiating a ‘storm’ of chemicals that cause the migraine attack. 

During a migraine, three key processes occur: 

1. pain nerves in the head and neck become irritated, 
2. blood vessels in the head spasm, and 
3. inflammation occurs in the affected part of the brain. 

This combination typically results in severe, disabling headaches and other neurological symptoms lasting anywhere between 4 – 72 hours.

This is not the case with a headache, as it can be felt in any part of your head. It is one of the most common symptoms people experience and can occur for various reasons. There are over 200 types of headaches.

The sensation of a headache can vary greatly depending on its cause. It might feel like a throbbing sensation, stabbing pain, or a dull ache lasting for minutes, hours, or even days. Understanding the different types of headache pain can help you identify your headache type and improve your management strategies. 

How to Get Rid of a Migraine?

Managing migraines involves more than just medication. While medicines help treat and prevent migraines, they are only part of the solution. It’s essential to take good care of yourself and learn effective ways to manage migraine pain when it strikes.

Lifestyle choices that promote good health can also reduce migraine frequency and intensity. Learning how to alleviate migraines through behavioral measures and lifestyle adjustments quickly can be highly effective.

Create a Calm Environment

Take a break and step away from your current activities at the first sign of a migraine.

Dim the lights: Bright lights and loud sounds can worsen migraine pain. Find a quiet, dark room to relax in. If possible, try to rest or sleep.

Try caffeine: A small amount can sometimes relieve early migraine symptoms. Be cautious not to consume too much, as it can lead to withdrawal headaches later and interfere with sleep if consumed late in the day.

Ensure Good Sleep

Migraines can disrupt sleep, and poor sleep can trigger migraines. Here are tips for promoting restful sleep:

Stick to a sleep schedule: Go to bed and wake up simultaneously every day, even on weekends. Keep daytime naps short, as longer naps can interfere with nighttime sleep.

Check what you eat and drink before bedtime: Avoid heavy meals, caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol close to bedtime, as they can disrupt sleep patterns.

Minimize distractions: Reserve your bedroom for sleep and intimacy. Avoid bringing work or screens into bed. Use a fan or white noise machine to drown out disturbances.

Eat Well

Diet plays a role in migraine management. Consider these dietary tips:

Maintain regular eating times: Eat meals at consistent times each day.

Don’t skip meals: Skipping meals can increase the risk of migraines.

Keep a food diary: Tracking your diet alongside migraine occurrences can help identify potential triggers.

Avoid known triggers: If certain foods like aged cheese, chocolate, caffeine, or alcohol trigger migraines, consider eliminating them from your diet.

Exercise Regularly

Physical activity releases chemicals that can block pain signals in the brain and improve mood, potentially reducing migraine frequency:

Maintain a healthy weight: Obesity increases the risk of chronic headaches. Regular exercise like walking, swimming, or cycling can help manage migraines.

Start slowly: Gradually introduce exercise to your routine to avoid triggering migraines with overly vigorous activity.

Consult your healthcare provider before starting any new exercise regimen.

Manage Stress

Stress often contributes to migraines. While it’s impossible to eliminate stress entirely, you can manage it to reduce its impact:

Simplify your schedule: Avoid overloading your day with activities. Delegate tasks where possible and break large projects into smaller, manageable steps.

Manage time effectively: Update your to-do lists regularly at home and work. Prioritize tasks and delegate when necessary.

Take breaks: When feeling overwhelmed, take short breaks for stretching or a brisk walk to recharge.

Adopt a positive outlook: Reframe negative thoughts in a more positive light.

Engage in enjoyable activities: Spend at least 15 minutes daily on activities you enjoy, such as hobbies or socializing.

Practice relaxation techniques: Deep breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation can help alleviate stress and reduce migraine intensity.

Tracking your migraines in a diary can also help identify triggers and patterns. Note the onset, duration, activities at the time, and any relief measures attempted.

Previously, avoiding triggers was recommended, but recent research suggests gradual exposure and behavioral techniques might be more effective in managing migraines. 

A migraine is more than a headache that can cause pain for days. However, let’s understand the causes and types of headaches.

What are the Causes of Headaches?

Headaches are categorized into two types: primary and secondary.

Primary headaches occur independently and are not caused by an underlying medical condition. Lifestyle factors, such as changes in sleep or diet, might trigger them. Some examples include:

• Migraine
• Tension-type headache (also known as ‘stress headache’)
• Cluster headache

An underlying medical condition causes secondary headaches. Treating the disease or injury that causes the headache can often alleviate the head pain. Examples include:

• Sinus congestion
• Eye strain
• Dental problems
• Infections (such as colds, flu, or ear infections)
• Blood vessel diseases (such as aneurysms or high blood pressure)
• Head injuries
• Side effects of medication

What are Headache Types?

There are more than 200 types of headaches, and they can feel very different from each other with various symptoms and treatments.

Tension-Type Headache

Tension-type headaches are among the most common forms of headache. The pain typically occurs on both sides of the head, causing tightness. It can last from 30 minutes to 7 days.

Migraine

Migraine is a common condition accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and noise. The pain is usually throbbing and occurs on one side of the head, lasting for hours or even days.

Some individuals experience other symptoms before or during a migraine attack, such as visual aura or vision changes. Visual aura may include flashes of light, blind spots, or seeing “zigzag” patterns. Other symptoms may include difficulty in speech or a tingling sensation (“pins and needles”) in the arms and legs.

Cluster Headache

Cluster headaches are a rare but excruciating type of headache. They typically occur in groups or “clusters” of attacks. The pain is usually centered behind one eye and feels stabbing or burning. Accompanying symptoms may include a runny nose and a red, watery eye. These headaches can last up to 3 hours and may occur several times daily.

Altitude Headache

Altitude headaches, or “mountain sickness,” are intense, throbbing pains that can be generalized across your head or concentrated in your forehead. These headaches can occur with any change in altitude. 

Mountain climbing can cause generalized head pain that worsens with exercise. At the same time, diving can lead to headaches, dizziness, difficulty breathing, or confusion. Flying in a plane can cause pain in one side of your forehead.

Sleep Apnea Headache

Headaches caused by sleep apnoea typically occur upon waking in the morning and are frequent, occurring most days of the week.

Migraine with Aura

Also referred to as “classic migraine,” this type of migraine is characterized by recurring migraine symptoms that are accompanied or preceded by visual and sensory disturbances known as aura.

Aura symptoms typically begin up to an hour before migraine symptoms appear, although sometimes they can occur independently of a migraine. These aura symptoms may include:

• Blind spots
• Zigzag lines in the field of vision
• Shimmering spots or stars
• Changes in vision or temporary vision loss
• Flashes of light
• Numbness spreads gradually, often on one side of the face or in one hand.
• Difficulty with speech or language
• Muscle weakness

If you want to understand how to get rid of a migraine or a headache you need to stay hydrated, get plenty of rest, manage stress, and avoid triggers such as bright lights or certain smells.

Conclusion

Understanding how to get rid of a migraine involves a combination of medication, lifestyle changes, and stress management. To reduce the frequency and severity of migraines, identify triggers, maintain healthy habits, and use relaxation techniques. 

Consult with your healthcare provider to develop so that they can provide a personalized treatment that works best for you. If you are experiencing excruciating pain, get a migraine medical certificate from a licensed doctor immediately to rest.