Migraines are a type of headache which may come in different ways for many different reasons. So what does a typical migraine feel like? It is said that migraines announce themselves 20 minutes before they fully arrive. Blind spots, dizziness, flashes of light, pain in the ears, drowsiness, depression, and hypersensitivity to light (as well as sound) may occur.
What causes migraines? There is a wide range of things that trigger them. It can be stress, noise, smells, certain foods, genetic inheritance and even changes in barometric pressure. When a migraine happens there is generally a decrease of blood flow to the head. Usually serotonin levels will be low which explains why some people may be very crabby during an episode.How to keep migraines at bay
-Sleeping is the best remedy. If you can try to take nap, even 10 minutes will help. Keeping a regular sleep schedule of 8 hours will keep your head away from tension and blood flow restriction.
-Unwind slowly. When your body goes into weekend relaxation mode your adrenaline drops and makes you more susceptible to migraines. Studies claim that migraine sufferers are more likely to experience attacks during weekends. Ease into it. Start by listening to relaxing music, followed by (at least) 3-5 minute meditations.
-Get some exercise. Migraine frequency increases when the cardiovascular system remains under-stimulated.
-When you feel a migraine coming put an ice pack on your head which helps the blood vessels to come back to normal size.
Be careful with:
-Alcohol, especially red wine.
-Foods with the amino acid tyrosine that dilates the blood flow in the brain therefore migraines get started that way. For 3-4 weeks please avoid: chocolate, aged cheeses, vinegar, ketchup, organ meats, sour cream, salad dressings, yoghurt and cheese extracts
-Also foods with msg (monosodium glutamate)
-Consume less of : citrus fruits, onions, dairy products, pickled herring, cured meats, lima/fava bean, salty foods and seafood.
-Birth control pills may increase the regularity of attacks in women.
-Stay away from artificial sweeteners, especially NutraSweet as fake sugars are ultra-processed and the body’s serotonin level may plummet harder from the sugar rollercoaster.
*As you stay away from the trigger foods, try reintroducing them back into your diet with a few days break in between foods so you can keep a diary and truly discover which foods create the offset in your body.
What to eat
-Peppermint, cayenne pepper, ginger in tea or powder form. Fish oils, kale, and broccoli. Oatmeal, garlic.
-Supplements. - Take a magnesium supplement as well as some ginkgo biloba, which help the oxygen in you brain. Take a B complex for further support and mood enhancing as migraines makes people very moody.
Maria Andrade - “Holistic Diva”
www.realitystatewellness.com
(photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/fabbriciuse)