Do You Suffer from Migraines?

f you do, your goal is to avoid them.  If you get them frequently, there are some things you can do to  prevent them.  Your healthcare provider may have prescribed some medications that help prevent them.  Here are some other things you can do.

There are a couple of supplements you can try.  The first is Butterbur, an herbal supplement.  Make sure you get one that is PA-free as the herb contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids which are toxic.  The dose is up to 75 mg twice daily.  Try it for a month and if it doesn't work, the second one you can try is Vitamin B2 also known as riboflavin.  You can take 25 to 400 mg per day.   Another one is magnesium.  Magnesium deficiency is quite common and can trigger migraines.  Magnesium does have a laxative effect so if you have problems with constipation, it will work for both.

Another thing you can do is look for what triggers your migraines.  You may have already noticed certain things that seem to bring them on.  If you haven’t, it is worthwhile to identify what triggers them so that you can avoid the triggers and reduce the number of migraines you have.   Keep a diary When you are in the throes of a migraine, you may not be thinking of this, but as soon as possible, write down what you ate, what you drank, your physical and emotional state and anything else that might contribute to triggering the migraine.  By keeping a diary of exposures, you can identify any patterns and figure out what your personal triggers are.  To help you with this, look at what the common triggers for migraines are.  
    

• Foods, beverages and food additives with common ones being aged cheeses, alcohol (especially red wine), caffeine, monosodium glutamate (MSG) and aspartame. ·      
• Hunger or dehydration. ·      
• Stress, either physical or psychological can trigger migraines during or after the stressful event.  Intense physical activity can be a physical stress. ·      
• Lack of sleep or jet lag. ·      
• Sensory stimulation such as bright light, flashing lights, loud noises, or smells.  There is also an intolerance to these during a migraine for many people. ·      
• Hormonal changes are a common one in women.  This seems to be due to fluctuations in estrogen during the menstrual cycle and some women only get migraines during menstruation. ·      
• Medications such as oral contraceptives, vasodilators and overuse of pain medication. 
• Changes in weather or barometric pressure.                                                                                                                            Once you have identified things that trigger your migraines, you will be able to take steps to avoid these.  Avoiding processed foods, eating regularly, drinking plenty of non-caffeinated beverages, reducing stress and getting a good night’s sleep are good health habits for all of us and can reduce the risk of migraines.