What Helps with Migraine? How to Alleviate Migraine Pain?

Headaches are a health issue that a large portion of society experiences at various stages of life and often seek expert opinions about. Migraine-type headaches are among the most commonly encountered types of headaches. This pain typically presents unilaterally and can significantly impact a person's daily life. A diagnosis of migraine is made when certain symptoms are observed. The diagnosis made by doctors is treated according to the approach deemed appropriate by them. In addition to the treatment procedures applied by specialists, there are also several methods that individuals can implement to find relief. These methods are fundamentally based on the individual establishing a healthy sleep and nutrition routine and making lifestyle changes. Since migraines can negatively affect a person’s daily life and reduce their quality of life, it is crucial for the process to be monitored by a specialist doctor, and for a suitable treatment plan to be developed based on these follow-ups.

What is Migraine?

Headache is the most common neurological condition worldwide, and nearly the entire population has experienced complaints of headaches at some point in their lives. Headaches are classified into two categories: primary and secondary, with most common headaches being of the primary type. Following tension-type headaches, migraine-type headaches are the most frequently encountered. Migraine is a primary type of headache characterized by neurological, gastrointestinal, and autonomic changes, accompanied by various other symptoms.

Migraine attacks typically last about 4 to 72 hours, are often felt unilaterally, and are characterized by throbbing and squeezing pain, along with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to heat and light. Migraines occur more frequently and severely in women of reproductive age compared to men. This phenomenon is attributed to hormonal changes occurring in women. Research has shown that the average onset age for migraines in women is 22.7 years.

What are the Symptoms of Migraine?

Individuals often experience acute or chronic migraine attacks accompanied by certain symptoms and discomforts. These symptoms can also affect the severity of the attacks and may vary from person to person. Migraine pain does not always present with the same symptoms and signs. Even attack symptoms that occur at different times in the same individual can vary. The symptoms of migraine can be listed as follows:

• Sensitivity to light, sound, and smell
• Tearing in one or both eyes
• Loss of appetite
• Weakness and fatigue
• Increased frequency of urination
• Strenuous chest pains
• Nasal congestion and runny nose
• Tremors in the hands, arms, and legs
• Dizziness
• Visual disturbances such as double vision, vision loss, and blurred vision
• Nausea and vomiting
• Difficulty swallowing
• Constipation and diarrhea
• Tachycardia (palpitations)
• Temporary hearing loss and hearing disorders
• Coordination issues
• Continuous or intermittent belching attacks
• Sleep disturbances
• Weight loss
• Difficulty breathing
• Drowsiness and numbness

How is Migraine Diagnosed?

The diagnosis of migraine is made by a specialist doctor through clinical evaluation when specific symptoms are observed, followed by the determination of the most suitable treatment procedure. The diagnostic criteria defined by the International Headache Society are as follows:

• At least 5 attacks within a 6-month period
• Headaches lasting between 4 to 72 hours
• Headache intensity rated as moderate or severe
• Pain occurring unilaterally
• Worsening of pain with physical activity
• Pulsating (throbbing) type of pain
• Nausea and vomiting, accompanied by sensitivity to noise and light
• No other headache cause found in the patient's history or examination

What Triggers Migraine?

There are certain conditions that can trigger migraine attacks. Therefore, individuals suffering from migraine should protect themselves from these triggering factors to prevent the development of attacks or to manage them as comfortably as possible if they do occur. The effectiveness of these triggers may vary from person to person. Generally, factors associated with a departure from routine or changes in diet can include:

• Menstrual periods in women
• Stress and hunger
• Weather changes
• Exposure to smoke
• Sleep pattern disturbances
• Changes in eating habits
• Loud noises and noisy environments
• Strong odors
• Flickering and flashing lights
• Foods containing monosodium glutamate and histamine
• Foods like sausages containing nitrites and meats with preservatives
• Foods and drinks like wine and cheese containing tyramine
• Foods like chocolate, garlic, and nuts containing phenylethylamine
• Sweeteners, food additives, and colorings
• Citrus fruits
• Pickles and vinegar
• Tea, cola, and coffee
• Aspartame
• Fatty and fried foods

What Helps Migraine?

Migraine attacks are a condition characterized by severe pain that may require bed rest and can lead to significant losses in work productivity. Consequently, the frequency of seeking medical help is extremely high. Migraine patients often seek solutions to alleviate, control, or reduce these severe pains. Some methods that may help with migraines include:

Migraine patients generally need to adopt certain lifestyle routines. This is because migraines are sensitive to deviations from routine. It is recommended to maintain regular eating and sleeping patterns and to seek support if necessary. Migraine attacks may occur at the end of stressful periods. In this case, keeping a diary and identifying triggers can be beneficial. Genetic deficiencies in magnesium absorption, magnesium loss from the kidneys, stress, and poor nutrition can lead to magnesium deficiency in migraine patients. Therefore, it is known that magnesium supplements, when consulted with a specialist, can be beneficial for migraine attacks. Personalized elimination diets have been shown to reduce the frequency and severity of migraine attacks. Thus, a diet that avoids suspected triggering food items may be beneficial for individuals. The use of products or supplements containing riboflavin, coenzyme Q10, butterbur, and feverfew can reduce the frequency and severity of migraine attacks. Avoiding stressful situations and practicing relaxation techniques like breathing exercises can also be considered helpful practices for migraines.

What Helps Migraine During Pregnancy?

Migraine can also occur due to hormonal changes and is considered risky during pregnancy. The primary recommendation for relieving migraines that arise during pregnancy is to maintain adequate, balanced, and regular nutrition and to follow a diet that supports food variety.

Taking medication during pregnancy can pose risks to both mother and baby. Therefore, it is essential to consult a specialist before using any medication and to avoid irrational drug use. Research has identified various groups of medications that pregnant women with migraines can use, but their use should also be guided by a doctor’s advice.

Due to potential side effects of medications, an alternative method during pregnancy is the use of phytotherapeutic applications. Various herbs have been used historically for migraine treatment. However, contrary to popular belief, the treatment methods using these herbs are not entirely reliable and can cause many complications in maternal and fetal health. Therefore, the use of herbal medical products during pregnancy is not recommended without the advice of healthcare personnel.

Due to the complications that medications and herbal applications may cause, treatment procedures outside these methods are typically applied during pregnancy. For example, simple physical exercises, relaxation techniques like meditation and yoga, biofeedback, acupuncture, and some vitamin and dietary supplements can be considered alternative treatments for migraines. However, due to the extreme sensitivity of the pregnancy process, every application should be developed under the knowledge and permission of a doctor. Additionally, breastfeeding is known to relieve the frequency and severity of migraine attacks.

Natural Home Remedies for Migraines

Migraine attacks can sometimes reach levels that affect a person’s work performance, education, and social life. In such cases, individuals may look for solutions they can implement at home.

• Resting
• Getting adequate sleep
• Managing stress
• Utilizing relaxation techniques such as meditation and yoga
• Drinking sufficient amounts of water
• Consuming soothing herbal teas
• Using relaxing phytotherapeutics like lavender and peppermint oil
• Eating dark chocolates rich in magnesium
• Applying hot and cold compresses
• Staying away from environments with intense light and sound
• Consuming foods rich in antioxidants to relieve sinus pressure are some of the natural remedies that can be applied at home.

How is Migraine Treated?

The fundamental principle in migraine treatment is for the individual to learn to live with migraines and cope with attacks. Patients should be informed that, despite experiencing severe pain, migraine is not a risky condition, and they should be calmed to relieve the stress caused by the disease. Migraine treatments can be classified as abortive and preventive.

Keeping a diary to note how often attacks occur, how long they last, and possible triggering factors can be beneficial for effective treatment. Various groups of medications are used to treat migraine attacks. These medication groups include anti-inflammatories, antiemetics, analgesics, triptans, and ergot derivatives, which are used preventively against migraine attacks.

Preventive treatment methods may also be applied depending on the frequency and duration of migraine attacks. Patients who experience attacks more than twice a week require prophylactic treatment. Calcium channel blockers, anticonvulsants, beta-blockers, antidepressants, serotonin antagonists, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are among the medication groups used for this purpose.

Migraine is a health issue that can significantly negatively affect a person’s life. If you are experiencing migraine symptoms or have already been diagnosed with migraines, you can consult a specialist doctor for more detailed information about treatment procedures.