Introduction

Around me, I see a lot of people suffering from migraines. But they do not treat the root cause, rather go for pain killers and injections to get relief.

It is very important to be educated and know the right facts when you are suffering from a medical issue. In this article, besides understanding why migraine happens and what are its symptoms, we will also discuss dietary and lifestyle tips one can adapt to reduce the frequency of occurrence of migraine.

What is Migraine?

A migraine can cause severe throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation, usually on one side of the head. It's often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Migraine attacks can last for hours to days, and the pain can be so severe that it interferes with your daily activities.

For some people, a warning symptom known as an aura occurs before or with a headache. An aura can include visual disturbances, such as flashes of light or blind spots, or other disturbances, such as tingling on one side of the face or in an arm or leg and difficulty in speaking.

Medications can help prevent migraines and make them less painful. The right medicines, combined with self-help remedies and lifestyle changes, might help.

What Can Trigger a Migraine Headache?

  • Stress
  • Lack of sleep or jet lag
  • Hunger or dehydration
  • Certain foods
  • Additives
  • Alcohol
  • Caffeine
  • Medication overuse
  • Certain smells
  • Lights and sounds
  • Weather
  • Female hormones
  • Rigorous physical activity
  • Skipping meals
  • Physical stress
  • Having your periods
  • Changes in vision
  • Sensitivity to sound
  • Sensitivity to smell

Symptoms of Migraine

  • A headache that often begins as a dull ache and grows into throbbing pain
  • Sensitivity to light, noise, and smells
  • Nausea and vomiting, upset stomach, and belly pain
  • Loss of appetite
  • Feeling very warm or cold
  • Pale skin
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue
  • Pale skin
  • Diarrhea
  • Fever
  • Dizziness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea vomiting, upset stomach and belly pain
  • Sensitivity to light noise, and smells

Dietary and Lifestyle Tips to Cure Migraine 

  • Do not skip your meals and do not starve
  • Include cinnamon in your diet in any form – it help in curing the pain from Migraine
  • Learn to manage stress better – overthinking and overstress also leads to Migraine
  • Take a good amount of sleep for about 7 to 9 hours every night. If you feel like Migraine is triggering, put a few drops of peppermint oil or lavender oil on a handkerchief and sniff. Doing this will stop the headache from starting or 
  • Avoid foods that trigger Migraine to you like coffee, alcohol, fried foods, or anything that doesn’t suit you and can trigger a Migraine headache
  • Consume magnesium-rich foods like bananas, avocado, brown rice, almonds, cashew, legumes
  • Make sure you eat a good amount of whole grains. Whole grains have more fiber and vitamins. Replace white bread, white rice, and pasta in your diet with whole grains.
  • Eat a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, daily.
  • Eat healthy fats.
  • Limit “saturated” and “trans fats” when possible.
  • Increase seafood consumption to two to three times per week to get your omega-3 fats. Limit sodium to less than 2300 mg/day. Most salt in our diets comes from processed foods (heat-and-eat frozen meals, canned soups, and ready-to-eat snacks like chips and crackers). 
  • Eat freshly cooked meals as much as possible. Avoid stale or previously cooked food. 

In conclusion, the key to reducing episodes of Migraine lies in leading a healthy life and eating a balanced life with no stress and enough rest.