How to deal with migraines?

Headaches in general are hard to deal with. They inflict constant pain, are disruptive and lead to mood changes as well. Migraines on the other hand, are headaches amplified by a large factor. So, while migraines too carry all of these symptoms –and then some –however, the magnitude of the symptoms is much higher.

What are migraines?

A type of headache, migraines do not affect the entire head but rather hemispheres of the head. As a pain, the characteristic throbbing pain is located in one part of the head only. The episodes are also followed by other signs such as sensitivity to light and sound, nausea or vomiting, disorientation, pain that extends even to the part of the neck as well. Some people also have vision problems as well.

Depending on the intensity, for some people, migraines can last for a few hours whereas others have days-long episodes. If someone is experiencing these rather debilitating symptoms and have not been diagnosed properly, they should immediately visit a top internal medicine specialist in Lahore. The doctor will give them a proper diagnosis, and in case it's migraine they are experiencing, will also help with the pain medication.

How to deal with migraines?

Even though migraines do not have a permanent cure per se that can help one get rid of them for eternity, they can be managed well. Following are some tips for migraine management:

Watch out for the triggers

This step is a crucial one; it’s only when you know what caused the migraine can you learn how to avoid the trigger(s). Therefore, every time you have an episode, note down what to do prior to it, especially what you ate and the routine of the day , how long it lasted and how you treated it.

Once you know the triggers, you can successfully decrease the frequency of the migraine attacks.

Have a proper sleep cycle

Lack of proper sleep can also cause migraines. At times, migraines are a symptom of a sleeping disorder like sleep apnea. It is thus very vital to focus on your sleep, and if there are any serious medical issues that might be interrupting quality sleep, then seeking medical help is important.

Do not skip meals

Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar level can also trigger migraines. Hence, it is crucial to have fixed mealtimes; skipping meals is not an option for those suffering from migraines.

Do not let it linger on, treat it immediately

Migraine is split into 3 phases. The pre-attack phase is known as the aura, and it has certain characteristic symptoms like muscle pain, vision issues etc. As soon as you start experiencing those, take your pain medication and start the treatment plan. If you wait it out, it will become a full-blown attack. It then might take longer to resolve, and the pain obviously will be greater.

Do not abuse the painkillers

Taking painkillers for longer than 3 days is not suggested. The abuse of more potent ones can also lead to stomach problems like APD. Moreover, over consumption of the pain medication may even lead to rebound headaches as well.

Devise treatment mechanism

Some people benefit from taking the pain medication and retreating into a cool, dark and quiet place to sleep the pain off. Others do not have such severe episodes so do not to immediately leave for their dark quarters, but instead can power through once they have had the medication. Caffeine is also helpful in warding off the pain in some people as well and so drinking caffeinated beverages is their coping mechanism.

Regardless, everyone has a different response to the pain. It is best to devise an effective treatment mechanism with the aid of the top internal medicine specialist in Karachi so that you are prepared whenever migraine attack occurs.

These tips can help better manage the headache and can potentially also help avoid episodes as well.