Movement For Migraines

Migraines are a common type of headache that cause a throbbing or pulsating pain, typically noticed more on one side of the head. These attacks can often be accompanied by other discomforts, such as sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, even vomiting. While these episodes can leave one feeling completely vulnerable and unable to function, lying in the shadows and staying inactive are not the best solution to easing pain. There are currently a number of medications and homeopathic remedies to help ease pains associated with migraines, but currently there is no known way of preventing these episodes. Knowing the things that trigger these headaches can always be a help in reducing their frequency, but have you ever considered if exercise could help?

Exercise – Help Or A Trigger?
Many sufferers have long identified aerobic exercise as a trigger for migraines. Individuals diagnosed with migraines tend to lead a less active lifestyle than those without, due to the belief that exercise will induce a painful attack. A fear of fitness will not get any results. Personal health and migraine pain reduction may go hand-in-hand.

Several studies have been performed and show that simple aerobic exercise can actually reduce frequency, intensity and often the duration of migraine episodes. For all individuals, maintaining their diet and physical well-being is important to enjoying a long and healthy life. Cardiovascular health requires a lifestyle that keeps the heart pumping and moving good, clean oxygen throughout the body. Migraine sufferers don’t have to sit idly by and let their bodies deteriorate because they worry getting up and moving will cause them more discomfort by inducing an attack.

Several things to think about when preparing a new workout routine, as a person with migraines you should first consult your physician to ensure a workout regiment is safe for you. Then you should ease into whatever type of exercise you choose. It is imperative to not do any type of activity that is overly strenuous or intensely competitive. Next, find an activity that you will enjoy – swimming, biking, dancing or walking. Be mindful of the level of impact involved with the activity. Specifically, the amount of jostling the body, specifically the head and neck, will result from this exercise. Take time to think about the triggers you are already aware of and build a routine around those things. For example, if bright lights often trigger a migraine, walking or biking outdoors during daylight hours could cause the onset of a migraine. In this scenario, it might be best to complete your activity in the early morning or evening hours. Also, the use of a gym or recreational center’s facilities would also eliminate excess exposure to the bright sun. Whatever activity you select, be sure to stay hydrated before, during and after workout. It is suggested that an adult should consume at least eight, eight ounce glasses of water a day. During times of high activity and high heat, the amount of water to maintain proper hydration should increase. Dehydration during physical activity is often the primary cause of headaches in participants and can lead to muscle fatigue that encourages injuries.

Creating a workout plan with those things in mind is a perfect starting point. In order to not only support physical health, but work to improve migraine symptoms, strive to workout for at least 30 minutes, three times a week. As with any medical diagnosis, be sure to consult your physician with the changes you make to your diet and activity level. To support all of these changes, consider keeping a journal with items such as activity performed, meals and snacks, level of hydration and if you experienced any presence of a headache. This documentation will help to inform not only yourself, but your physician, regarding the type of impact aerobic exercise is having on your migraines. Additionally, it could help to identify other possible triggers that you were not aware of previous, such as types of food, weather or even restrictive clothing.

Complications
Complications, big or small, may accompany this change in lifestyle. Taking simple precautions like eating right, stretching before and after activity, and staying hydrated will help to reduce possibility of additional injury. If you should notice that you only seem to experience a migraine episode during exercise, this could indicate a more severe neurological issue and it is imperative that you share with your medical practitioner right away.

Tags: blurred vision, constipation, migraine attack, migraine headahces, migraine symptoms, migraine treatment, nausea, vomiting