How to Avoid Getting Migraines

The cause of migraine headaches is not completely understood. Migraines result from of an alteration in the blood flow to the brain. Lifestyle changes and drug therapy can help reduce the severity and frequency of migraines.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Sunglasses
• Alarm Clocks
• Notebooks

1. Exercise aerobically at least four times a week, 20 to 30 minutes each time. Women, especially hormonally active women, are more at risk for developing migraines. Regular brisk exercise keeps hormone levels in better balance.
2. Analyze your personality. There is some evidence that hard-driving perfectionist types are more prone to get migraines. Relax.
3. Breathe deeply. High doses of oxygen have proven effective in treating cluster headaches and migraines. Deep breathing also helps you relax.
4. Avoid allergens. For some people, concentrated sweets (especially chocolate), milk, aged cheese, processed foods or red wine can set off migraines.
5. Avoid sudden, bright flashes of light, which triggers migraines in some.
6. Wake up at the same time each day. Disrupting your natural sleep patterns encourages migraines. Avoid fatigue and get plenty of rest.
7. See your doctor. If the steps outlined above do not keep you from getting migraines, ask your doctor for a migraine medication such as methysergide.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep an accurate record of what you're doing each time you get a migraine. The more information you have about your environmental variables, the more effectively you can identify and avoid the factors that tend to cause your migraines.
• Women: Try switching from birth control pills to another form of birth control. Oral contraceptives have been known to increase the frequency and severity of migraines.
• Migraines can be a symptom of an underlying disease. If you suffer from migraines, you should be under the care of a physician.