Individuals who suffer from migraines often readily recognize when a headache is no longer a simple headache. More often than not, they will experience sudden, overwhelming sharp pain, nauseousness, blurred vision, and heightened sensitivity to light and sound. These are usually apparent to long-term sufferers with symptoms that can last anywhere between four to an excruciating 72 hours or even longer.
It is not your imagination if you feel as if you experience more migraines during seasonal changes, particularly from winter to spring. Seasonal migraines are quite common; however, learning techniques to manage and prevent these challenges is crucial for relief.
So, how do seasonal changes trigger migraines?
Are you one of the 39 million Americans prone to migraines? You are not alone. Migraines are one of the leading disorders affecting the human nervous system.
A lot of times, seasonal variations are scapegoats for triggering terrible headaches. Barometric pressure, for instance, is a common culprit. When there are fluctuations in weather (like a rainstorm), warm and cold air mixes, causing a drop in the air pressure. Studies have shown that this change in barometric pressure affects sinus activities by pushing fluid into the tissues, which ultimately put pressure on an individual's brain's pain receptors. Consequently, causing that infamous migraine.
However, barometric pressure is not the only trigger for seasonal migraines. For instance, Spring allergies, which many experience, can also negatively affect the sinuses, leading to the onset of a terrible headache.
How To Prevent Seasonal Migraines: 6 Tips For Spring
Seasons can be unpredictable, and managing migraines may seem impossible; However, some things you can do can prevent migraines from happening. Here are six helpful strategies for migraine prevention and care this spring.
1. Control Your Allergies
To avoid significant discomfort, you should manage your springtime allergies. Over-the-counter antihistamine medicines from a nearby pharmacy can reduce sinus inflammation.
It is best to discuss more potent allergy medication with your doctor to relieve extreme allergies, as well as prevent seasonal migraines.
2. Ask For Migraine Medicine
Over-the-counter medication for headaches and pain can help prevent a migraine from escalating. Some painkillers are specific for treating migraine episodes.
Like allergy medicine, your doctor can prescribe something stronger for days when you feel a migraine coming on. This way, you can take the appropriate steps in developing an appropriate treatment plan.
3. Practice Vertigo Exercises
Sometimes, migraine prevention doesn't work, and you may end up experiencing an episode anyway. You can manage some individual symptoms as they arise. For instance, several exercises reduce vertigo.
The gaze stabilization technique helps relieve dizziness. To do this, extend an arm in front of you with a raised index finger and stare at it for 15 seconds. Slowly turn your head from side to side. When you return to the center, keep your eyes on your finger but move your head up and down gradually. You can repeat these steps until you notice a difference.
4. Wear Sunglasses
Early Spring rain can turn into summer sunshine. Light often triggers seasonal migraines. Keeping sunglasses close by can protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays and prevent this trigger.
Additionally, blue-light-blocking glasses can be useful when using devices prone to blue-light emissions. The sun isn't the only source of blue light. Screens emit light that mimics sunlight and can cause migraines. Taking 20-minute breaks or so from the computer can help.
5. Maintain A Healthy Diet
Proper nutrition is critical to preventing seasonal migraines. Obese individuals are 75% more at risk of getting chronic migraines. Overweight individuals are 40% more at risk.
Eliminating trigger foods such as alcohol, caffeine, sugar, chocolate, dairy products, citrus, and aspartame is helpful. Pay attention to whether migraines occur 50% of the time after you eat something to know what foods to avoid in the future.
6. Sleep it Off
Naturally, sleep is the best medicine when you feel a migraine coming on or are in the throes of an episode. Although some migraine sufferers find it difficult to sleep with pain, sleeping can help combat many symptoms, including light sensitivity, vertigo, and nausea.
The position you sleep in also matters. The American Migraine Foundation recommends sleeping on your side to align your spine better. Avoid sleeping on your stomach, which adds pressure to your back. A comfortable pillow can support your head and neck as well.
Enjoy A Migraine-Free Spring
A few changes to your routine and some simple tools can help you fight against migraines this spring successfully. Although you may feel head pressure and have some down days, careful migraine management and treatment can prevent a full-blown episode.
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