Knowing how to treat migraines naturally is important if you suffer from this chronic condition. If you have ever suffered from a migraine headache you know the nature of the pain that comes along with it. A migraine can be the difference between getting out of bed and going about your day, or being bedridden with the lights off. Migraines make even the slightest movements nearly impossible due to extreme nausea and pain associated. Your body becomes sensitive to light, sounds, and the only option you have to do is lay silently in a dark room. Fortunately, there are options to treat and possibly prevent the onset of migraines. Headaches are among the most common form of chronic pain, and can occur at any time. There are different types of headaches, so let’s explore the differences below.
Treat migraines naturally with stress reducing techniques!
Types of Migraine Headaches
There are two types of migraine headaches – the first and most common is called a migraine without aura. The symptoms of this kind of a migraine are moderate to severe pulsating in the head that can occur without warning. The pain is felt mostly on one side of the head and is also accompanied by nausea, confusion, blurred vision, and fatigue. These type of attacks can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Medication usually exaggerates the affects, and you are left with few options. The other primary type is a migraine with aura. This more complicated headache has symptoms of visual problems, and it is possible to lose vision for the duration of a migraine. A migraine will typically will not last more than an hour, but can strike at any time.
Treat Migraines Naturally for Relief
When looking for relief, ice packs have been proven extremely effective. Always opt for cold instead of heat to treat migraines. Ice is an anti-inflammatory necessary to constrict the blood vessels and take the edge off the pain. Lavender oil is another natural remedy that you can use at home. Lavender oil can either be inhaled or applied topically. Make sure when inhaling lavender oil to mix two drops with 3 cups of boiling water. There are foods shown to increase the frequency and severity of headaches such as avocado, bananas, meats with nitrates, onions, and dairy. Make sure you know what your trigger foods are to avoid them. A simple scalp massage can alleviate the pain involved, and take a rest for a little while. Stress is a definite trigger, so if you can isolate yourself for a few minutes with some breathing techniques, this will help significantly in reducing the severity. It is important to remember to decrease the necessity for narcotic painkillers by trying to treat migraines naturally first before resorting to opioids.
Check out this video from Dr. Jacob Teitelabaum for more natural migraine relief methods!
Natural Migraine Relief
Topical Compounds and Migraines
While all the above methods can be extremely effective in reducing pain, sometimes they are not enough. Fortunately, topical compounds are a safe and non-habit forming option that can be used along with the methods mentioned above. The benefits of topical compounds are the ability to be applied directly to the area of pain throughout the day with no side effects. Opioid treatments for migraines have been shown to exaggerate the pain due to what is called rebound headaches which are another terrible side effect of opioid treatment.