Migraines

Migraine headaches are painful and debilitating, and they can make going about your daily life nearly impossible. When you have a migraine, you may experience intense, throbbing pain on one side of the head, experience nausea, vomiting or sensitivity to light and sound.

Home Relief for Migraines

Often, there are warning signs of an approaching migraine, such as flashing lights or loss of parts of your vision, before the pain starts. If you feel a migraine coming on, try these home remedies:

• Stay quiet and rest.
• Use cold to numb the pain. Wrap ice or a cold can of soda in a cloth. Hold it against the site of pain for 10 minutes. Repeat every 20 minutes.
• Avoid light. Wear dark glasses, turn out lights and close the curtains. When outdoors, wear a brimmed hat.
• Drink lots of fluids. Sip caffeine-free flat soda to help relieve nausea.

Tips for Preventing a Migraine

Migraines can have many causes, with prevention improved by these tips:

• Avoid aged cheeses, nuts, beans, chocolate, red wine or foods that contain caffeine, nitrates and MSG
• Don't work in poor lighting
• Reduce stress as much as possible
• Get plenty of sleep each night
• Exercise regularly under a doctor's guidance