From Out Of Nowhere

The chronic migraine sufferer has a lot to prepare for as migraine headaches can come up out of nowhere. The migraine process is extensive but it is created a single factor called a trigger; these triggers can be environmental or physiological in nature. Some can be avoided while others are not avoidable due the fact that you would have to be a hermit to avoid things like sunlight, perfume smells and other trigger that are a part of everyday life. Now avoiding triggers may be possible but you will also need the use of a migraine treatment on a regular basis. Using any one of these migraine treatments is the only way to make sure that you don’t get a migraine or the symptoms at least are not as dreadful to endure.

How Triggers Affect Differently
Migraine triggers differ from person to person as well as from male to female. For example: A women during her monthly period could experience a decrease in estrogen affecting her normal blood levels resulting in the start of a migraine also referred to as a menstrual migraine. A migraine trigger could be influenced by one’s environment or any physiological upset that can lead to the onset of a headache; those who are prone to headaches are more susceptible. Migraine triggers are difficult to distinguish and very few migraine sufferers are aware that they even exist. One way to help determine which triggers effect you personally are through journaling. It might seem silly to keep a journal but the chances are your medical professional will have you journal before he or she will diagnose you so you might as well get a head start. The following is a list of possible migraine triggers.

• Stress
• Sleep –sleep deprivation, too much sleep or broken up sleep are all connected to headaches.
• Fasting – lack of nutrients to the body can reduce blood sugar levels setting off a series of stress-related hormones.
• Hormones – women during their monthly cycle lose estrogen and the loss of estrogen sets off a chemical imbalance and the result is a migraine.
• Lighting – flashing, bright high intensity and visually stimulating light sources can be a factor in developing painful migraine symptoms.
• Smells – cigarette smoke, perfume and body odor
• Alcohol
• Foods – Aged cheese or Chocolate
• Caffeine – often used to help improve energy levels can have the reverse effect on headache prone people.

Changing Your Lifestyle Could Affect Your Treatment Positively
There is so much information out there about warning signs, risk factors, and triggers that take place before a migraine hits in full force, knowing that information is key to individuals who are searching for migraine treatment and prevention. For those individuals who are unfortunate enough to suffer from the “regular” attacks of migraines a few practical steps in lifestyle change can be taken in order to reduce the number of migraine occurrences they will experience. Some of the most simple lifestyle changes that can be made for migraine treatment and prevention are:

1. To have a scheduled time for going to bed and waking each morning.
2. A daily exercise routine– exercise has proven to help improve quality of life for individuals suffering from migraine attacks. Individuals who are not physically fit are more prone to migraine attacks.
3. Avoid skipping meals and long bouts of fasting.
4. Avoid stress (if possible) – exercise can help release negative endorphins. If stress cannot be avoided then an individual prone to migraines should learn techniques to deal with the stress more appropriately.
5. Do not consume too much caffeine. The general rule among migraine sufferers is not to ingest more than 2 caffeinated beverages per day.
6. Bright and flashing lights are often associated with migraines, so avoidance of these situations is best, if avoidance is not possible then donning protective eyewear when near bright or flashing lights will at least minimize their effects.

Fighting Back With Natural Therapies
When an individual is searching for a more natural and holistic approach to migraine treatment there are few therapies that should be considered. Many alternative treatments exist that are both easily accessible and beneficial in the management and prevention of migraines as well as the painful symptoms that accompany a migraine attack. A few of the most common alternative therapies that are available are Acupuncture, Biofeedback, Chiropractic, as well as Massage.

Tags: blurred vision, dizziness, head pain, lightheadedness, migraine symptoms, nausea, vomiting