Migraine headaches are not as extremely debilitating as some other types of headaches. However, they still influence a person’s life in significant ways, whether it is through pain or nausea during the throbbing headache or the inability to carry on with normal activities and responsibilities after an episode. Experiencing headaches is one of the most common complaints. There are so many different types of headaches, making it difficult to determine the exact cause.
It is significant to know what causes severe headaches and how to avoid the triggers for those. By knowing these things, you can better prevent yourself from experiencing one in the future. Although migraine remedies can help relieve the pain, it is better to prevent than to look for a cure.
What causes this neurological disease?
The cause of these pulsating head pain remains unknown to researchers. However, there are many triggers known to set off an attack. Some of these include-
- Stress
- Staying up late at night
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Weather conditions
- Strong odours or perfumes
- Flashing lights
For those who experience migraines, it is best to keep a journal of things, which can cause or trigger an attack. By keeping track, you can recognize things as they appear and avoid them as needed.
How long do these headaches last?
Migraine is a health condition that creates a severe and throbbing kind of head pain. It can last for 4-72 hours and is often triggered by certain foods or activities. Even so, helpful treatment can aid alleviate the symptoms.
What are the warning signs of this neurological disease?
The most obvious sign that you are suffering from a migraine is an intense, throbbing headache. Other frequent signs may include the following-
- Sensitivity to bright light
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Heightened sensitivity to sounds and smell
You may also feel dizzy or nauseous before the headache starts in earnest. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should rest in a quiet room where you won’t be disturbed. Try to avoid bright, flickering lights as much as possible. They can make your migraine worse.
How can you relieve a severe headache?
If the pain is mild, you may find that it goes away after two or three hour. However, if the pain does not go away, you should get into a darkened room. You can also take an over-the-counter painkiller like paracetamol or aspirin to help ease the throbbing sensation. If your symptoms are severe, you should seek medical advice.
Your doctor may be able to prescribe medication that will stop the headache from getting worse.
What medications can help in migraine treatment?
Sumatriptan is a type of drug known as a triptan that blocks the release of certain chemicals in the brain involved in headaches. This medication can relieve moderate or severe pain caused by a severe headache. It comes supplied with an autoinjector pen, which you can use to give yourself your treatment.
When can Sumatriptan be used?
The doctor may prescribe Sumatriptan if you have had two or more moderate to severe migraine attacks in the last month. However, you should not use it if you have already taken another triptan medicine for your attacks within 24 hours. Sumatriptan should not be used if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure or heart problems.
Sumatriptan
Moreover, you should also avoid taking it if you have liver disease, severe kidney disease, a condition called Prinzmetal’s angina (coronary artery vasospasm), or a condition that causes you to get many unusual headaches.
What are other medications?
There are many other medications available to treat migraines. These include opioid painkillers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), tricyclic antidepressants, corticosteroid injections or tablets, muscle relaxants, and dihydroergotamine.
These medications may not be suitable for everyone. Therefore, discuss the potential side effects with your doctor before using them for easing this condition.
Are there natural treatments?
Some of the natural remedies for pulsating headaches are-
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is an excellent analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antispasmodic remedy, which can reduce your migraine headache naturally. It also contains menthol, which acts as a vasodilator to relax the blood vessels in your head and diminish pressure.
Add 2-3 drops of peppermint oil in 1 tablespoon melted coconut oil or olive oil and rub this mixture gently on your aching head and neck area. Moreover, you can mix it with other essential oils such as lavender, eucalyptus, rosemary, and cypress oil in equal parts to enhance the therapeutic effects.
Lavender Oil
Lavender essential oil is a well-working migraine remedy. It is another excellent analgesic remedy that can relieve headaches naturally without causing any side effects. It possesses both antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties, which can stop the production of pain-causing molecules, suppress inflammatory reactions, and fight oxidative stress to eliminate the root causes of this neurological disease.
In a bowl, add 2-3 drops each of lavender oil and peppermint oil along with 1 tablespoon of almond or olive oil. Mix all ingredients well and apply this mixture on your forehead, temples, back of the neck, and throat for quick relief from throbbing headaches.
Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil is a well-known analgesic remedy for migraine pain. It has a powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic property that helps fight against muscle spasms, reduce fever and congestion to break the vicious cycle of many chronic headaches.
In a bowl, add 2-3 drops each of lavender oil and eucalyptus oil along with 1 tablespoon of olive or coconut oil. Mix all ingredients well and apply this mixture on your forehead, temples, back of the neck, and throat for fast relief.
Peppermint Oil & Ginger
A combination of peppermint oil and ginger is an effective migraine remedy. Peppermint oil contains menthol, which is a natural vasodilator that relaxes the blood vessels in your head to relieve head pain.
Ginger can also help fight against this condition naturally because it reduces inflammation and acts as an antioxidant to prevent oxidative stress that causes head pains.
Add 1 tablespoon each of peppermint oil, coconut or olive oil, and ginger powder in a bowl. Mix all ingredients well and apply this mixture on your forehead, temples, back of the neck, and throat for immediate relaxation.
Onion
Onion is a well-known analgesic remedy that can fight against migraine pain naturally. The anti-inflammatory and vasodilatory properties of onion help reduce inflammation, relax the blood vessels, and widen the arteries to relieve pain from the root cause.
In a saucepan, heat 2-3 tablespoons of coconut oil. Add 1 sliced onion. Fry the onions until brown and crisp. Strain the fried onions and store them in a jar for future use. When needed, add 1 or 2 tablespoons of these fried onions to a bowl containing 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil. Mix all ingredients well and apply this mixture on your forehead, temples, back of the neck, and throat.
Ice Pack
An ice pack can be a well-working at-home migraine remedy. It numbs the affected area and reduces inflammation to give you quick relief from the worst headache.
Fill a large zip-lock bag with ice cubes. Add 2 tablespoons of salt to the ice and close the zipper lock properly.
Hold the bag tightly against your forehead or back of your neck for 20 minutes. In addition, you can also keep an ice pack in the freezer to get quick relief from severe head pain when needed.
Mint Leaves
Mint leaves are a potent home remedy for curing headaches. They contain menthol, which can give quick relief from severe headaches. In addition, they also contain antioxidants and essential oils that relax the blood vessels and reduce inflammation to relieve uneasiness.
Boil mint leaves in a cup of water for 10-15 minutes. The tea should be strained and allowed to cool.. Drink this tea 2 times a day until you recover from migraine pain.
Baking Soda
Baking soda has analgesic properties that can give quick relief from headaches by reducing pain and inflammation. It also has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that can curb the symptoms of severe headaches.
Mix one tablespoon of baking soda in a glass of water and mix it well. Baking soda has an unpleasant taste, so you can add a few drops of lemon juice or honey to improve the flavour. Drink this solution and wait for the pain to go away.
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
Apple cider vinegar is a popular at-home migraine remedy. It helps regulate blood sugar levels and reduces stress that often triggers pain. In addition, it also has analgesic properties that provide quick relief from the pain by reducing inflammation.
Put in two tablespoons of ACV to a glass of water. Drink this solution slowly, after every hour.
Black Pepper
Black pepper contains high amounts of antioxidants and nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, which provide relief from migraine headache pain. Moreover, it can also reduce inflammation by acting on the hypothalamus gland.
Consume a teaspoon of black pepper powder along with a glass of warm water early in the morning. Black peppercorns when consumed raw, can cause irritation or burning sensation in the mouth. Therefore, you can add them to your food while cooking to get rid of the irritating symptoms.
Butterbur Extract
Butterbur extract contains the compound petasin, which has anti-inflammatory properties and puts a brake on the release of substances from the cells that cause inflammation at the time of a migraine attack. It also contains anti-anxiety properties that help in regulating serotonin levels and support your healing.
Consume 100mg of butterbur extract twice daily to get rid of headaches. Alternatively, you can add a few drops of butterbur extract in lukewarm water and soak a towel in it. Apply this warm compress on your forehead to get relief from the pain and discomfort associated with pulsating headaches.
Coffee
Coffee is not just a beverage but also a helpful herb. The caffeine present in coffee acts as a vasoconstrictor that narrows down blood vessels, which helps in relieving migraine headache pain and providing relief from the symptoms.
Take a cup of black coffee with an empty stomach. Alternatively, you can prepare a cup of hot chocolate by adding a tablespoon each of raw cocoa powder and ground coffee in 1 cup of boiling water. Add sufficient honey to sweeten it up, and drink this herbal beverage twice daily to get rid of headache pain.
These natural remedies are helpful. However, some kinds of stuff like mint and peppermint may trigger a migraine attack. Therefore, check your triggers before using them as a remedy. You can also reach out to your doctor for other effective ways to make your treatment successful.
How can you prevent migraines?
In most cases, there is no cure for this neurological disease. Therefore, treatment aims at preventing the occurrence of attacks instead of treating it once it has already started.
Here are some ways to prevent this condition-
Quitting smoking
If you smoke, one of the best things that you can do to prevent migraines is to give up on cigarettes. Nicotine and other chemicals present in cigarettes can trigger headaches and make your condition worse. If it’s not possible for you right now to quit smoking, at least try to cut back on how much you smoke and use the money you save to buy yourself some medication that might prevent these headaches.
Keeping a diary
Keeping a diary of your activities and the effect they have on your severe headaches is one way of taking control over your condition. You can use this information to prevent attacks by avoiding those activities that trigger migraines. Identifying the triggers and avoiding them is a crucial part of your treatment.
Maintaining a healthy weight
In some cases, excess weight might trigger throbbing head pains. Therefore, losing those extra pounds can help you prevent them from coming on. If you are overweight or obese, consult your doctor about the best way to lose any excess fat that you have and keep it off for good.
In addition, you should also try to make sure that you eat a healthy and balanced diet to avoid throbbing headaches.
Eating regularly
Skipped meals can trigger migraines. Therefore, you must eat small but regular meals. Skipping meals forces your body into starvation mode, and this will make you feel tired and listless. In turn, a headache can take place.
Avoiding certain foods
You should avoid some things if possible. These include processed meats, aged cheeses, fresh bread, red wine, chocolate, caffeine, MSG-containing foods, alcohol, and cheese.
Getting enough sleep
Most people should sleep for a total of 8 hours each night. However, those who suffer from migraines might have to go to bed earlier or get more rest than this average. If you have trouble sleeping, see if you can set up a routine, so you try your best to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. In some cases, these types of headaches can also be triggered by too much sleep.
Therefore, make sure you do not try to catch up on your missed hours by taking naps during the day. A night of adequate sleep can support your treatment.
Bear in mind that this is not a complete list of all the things you can do to prevent migraines. You should also consult your doctor or your neurologist for advice on what else you could do to help manage your condition.
