Ways to Prevent Migraines

Video Transcript

"I'm Alexander Mauskop, director of the New York Headache Center. Ways to prevent migraine; the best way to prevent migraine is to make sure you have a healthy lifestyle. And that is getting enough sleep, sleeping on a regular schedule, getting to bed at the same time, waking up at the same time, regular exercise, that's number one. Twenty thirty minutes is all you need but you need it at least five days a week, every day is even better. Next lifestyle change is regular meals, that is eating on a schedule, not skipping meals, drinking enough water, avoiding caffeine, relaxation training, biofeedback is one of those relaxation techniques or yoga, meditation. We use many supplements. Magnesium is probably the most effective one on the list. But there are other ones such as coenzyme Q 10 and riboflavin and butterbur extract. There are many natural treatments that often work as well as medications without the side effects of medications. But we use acupuncture as well. We use Botox injections, probably the single most preventive treatment for frequent migraines is Botox. And then many medications that can be given both for prevention and acutely. But prevention medicines can be very effective, although we try to avoid medications if possible, and often it is possible."