Getting on the Road to Migraine Prevention...

If you have ever experienced the pain and discomfort of a migraine headache, you can understand why migraine prevention is such a high priority for those that suffer from this condition on a regular basis. Migraines can get in the way of vacations, holidays, and even daily life. Since there are no known cures for migraines, many will go back to the old adage about an ounce of prevention. In the case of these painful headaches, an ounce of migraine prevention is not only worth a pound of cure, but a return to a normal way of life as well. The good news is that there are many options and potential paths to avoiding this dreaded condition.

The Big “No-No’s” as a Part of Migraine Prevention

If you are a frequent sufferer of migraines, you may already be familiar with the specific triggers that seem to bring on your headaches. There are also some general migraine triggers that everyone who experiences regular migraines would do well to avoid. These include caffeine, first and foremost. Too much caffeine is a know migraine trigger, but caffeine withdrawal can also cause severe headaches. If you currently consume too much caffeine, cut back slowly to avoid withdrawal symptoms. Another habit to break in migraine prevention is smoking, as well as exposure to second-hand smoke. While there are no studies to claim decisively that aspartame contributes to migraines, many who avoid the artificial sweetener do see a decrease in migraine symptoms. Finally, red wine and processed meats are also good products to cross off of your list.

Managing Stress = Migraine Prevention

Since stress can bring on many types of headaches, including migraines, one effective means of migraine prevention is the establishment of good stress management techniques. This can include regular exercise – at least 30 minutes a day is a good rule of thumb for migraine sufferers. It can also include getting enough sleep. Many doctors recommend that patients who suffer from frequent migraines develop a consistent time to go to bed and get up in the morning, with eight good hours of sleep in between. It is also a good idea to develop some stress management tricks like deep breathing techniques when life dishes out the unexpected, and biofeedback to manage tension and stress.

Migraines are a painful and inconvenient part of life for many migraine sufferers. The good news is that there are many options in migraine prevention that will help these patients live life to the fullest without the constant worry that a migraine is about to strike.