If you have ever had a migraine, you know it’s one of the
most painful things to experience ever. You also know, and would most likely
agree, that you would be willing to do whatever it takes to avoid having
another one, right? Well, by reading below you can learn about some everyday
habits that you might be doing right now that could be contributing to the
frequency of your migraines. If you are able to recognize what you’re doing,
you have a better shot at stopping them ahead of time. Get on it by reading
below!
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Now that Life Alert has given you peace of mind regarding
your personal protection, here’s what you can do about your migraines. Check
out Everyday Health[1]
tips below.
1.
Feeling stressed
“Stress is a huge factor and is often
identified as a common migraine trigger,” says Priyanka Chaudhry, MD, a
neurologist. Working long hours or doing something that causes you stress may
either trigger or exacerbate a headache. Hsinlin Cheng, MD, PhD, a neurologist
and the director of the Headache and Neuropathic Pain Unit agrees. “Stress is
the number one trigger I see when treating people who have migraines.” Antidepressants
and talk therapy can sometimes help reduce stress and, therefore, the number of
headaches you get, but learning how to manage stress — and your body’s response
to it — is more practical than trying to get rid of it altogether, says Dr.
Chaudhry. Try stress-relieving activities like mindfulness meditation, yoga,
guided imagery, and progressive relaxation techniques.
2.
Ignoring your diet
Certain foods, such as MSG (monosodium
glutamate, a flavor enhancer commonly found in soups and other processed
foods), caffeine, chocolate, soy, aged cheeses, processed meats, and
nonnutritive sweeteners like aspartame, can trigger migraines. Chaudhry
recommends cutting suspected trigger foods out of your diet to see if it helps.
She warns against cutting too many foods out at once, though; the idea is to
identify a specific trigger. “For most people,” Chaudhry says, “alcohol is also
a migraine trigger, specifically red wine,” but it depends on your own
sensitivity. Some people who get migraines might feel fine after drinking
moderate amounts of alcohol.
3.
Skipping meals and fluids
Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, can occur
when you’re very hungry and cause blood vessels to dilate or spasm, which can
trigger a migraine, says Chaudhry. What’s more, being hungry also adds to your
body’s stress level. Dehydration can cause low blood pressure, which can
trigger migraines, so it’s important to remember to drink water. Staying
hydrated can also help combat fatigue, which is common during or after a
migraine.
4.
Being around bright lights, loud noises, and
strong scents
People who are prone to migraines may be
particularly sensitive when it comes to smell, sound, and light, such as smoke,
chemical fragrances in perfumes and lotions, and bright office lighting. “Some
people,” says Chaudhry, “as soon as they walk into a department store, between
the lights and the perfume counters, need to turn back immediately.” So if
these types of situations trigger your migraine symptoms, it’s best to try to avoid
them.
5.
Getting too much screen time
Light from electronic screens can also
bother people who get migraines. Try lowering the brightness on cell phones and
tablets or buying special blue light–filtering glasses to wear while you use
them. It’s not just the light that’s causing the problem. Oftentimes, says
Chaudhry, the poor posture people have when using these devices causes issues.
You want to ensure you are holding devices or placing them at eye level and not
looking down. “People come to me all the time with neck and shoulder issues
that are actually triggering their headache,” says Dr. Cheng.
6.
Getting irregular sleep
Getting too little or too much sleep can
trigger a migraine, says Chaudhry. “We like people to have a consistent sleep
schedule, even on weekends.” Quality of sleep matters too. Unfortunately, if
migraines are affecting your sleep quality that could in turn put you at risk
for more migraines. One easy fix is to avoid screens before bedtime, Chaudhry
advises, as the light can keep you up.
7.
Grinding your teeth
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders and
grinding your teeth can cause jaw pain and trigger tension or migraine
headaches, says Chaudhry. People sometimes also experience TMJ as a result of
stress. If you suspect you grind your teeth, either while you sleep or during
the day, consult your physician.
8.
Overusing certain medications
Using over-the-counter medications,
particularly nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), too frequently can
cause rebound headaches. That’s because people tend to continuously
self-medicate and end up using higher doses over time, says Cheng. So if you
experience migraines, be sure to seek medical advice to find the right
treatment.
Say good-bye to head pain by eliminating the everyday habits
that could be leading your migraine discomfort on. Migraines can be
debilitating and can even cause dizziness and equilibrium issues. If you are
aging senior who is living solo, a migraine could be the catalyst to a
devastating moment. But, if you have the best emergency medical device, you can
eliminate that worry. Life Alert has been in the safety industry for over 25
years and can offer anyone who wants to maintain their independence, the key to
do so. While wearing their lightweight, waterproof emergency pendant around
your neck or wrist, you can summon an help fast with just one touch of a
button. No matter if you encounter a home invasion, a home fire or even a
serious fall, Life Alert’s dispatch team can send you the proper authorities
fast 24/7. Protect your head and your heart by getting Life Alert today! Call
1-800-513-2934 for a free Life Alert brochure.
Works Cited:
1.
Swartz, Tami. “8 Bad Habits That Can Trigger
Migraines.” Everyday Health.
5 October 2018. <https://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/managing-migraines/bad-habits/ >.
