Chronic Migraine? Tips To Avoid It Before Onset

Chronic migraines are hugely debilitating, but there are options available that can help manage migraines better.

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Written by Dr Nikhil Prasun

Do you know there are people who suffer from migraine pain due to red wine, caffeine withdrawal, and even for skipping meals? If the answer is yes, then these common triggers must be avoided if suffering from chronic migraine. With this condition, the best thing to do is to learn about triggers and manage them appropriately. Chronic migraines are hugely debilitating, but there are options available that can help manage migraines better, like finding activities that reduce stress and small lifestyle changes that can significantly impact your migraine management.

Here are some common don’ts for chronic migraine sufferers –

• Do not skip meals:  When your blood glucose levels drop, your brain is the first to notice. Hunger is one of the most common causes that trigger headaches. Therefore, it is advised to fuel the body with the balanced nutrition it needs to function all day and eat five or six small, calorie-controlled meals throughout the day to avoid Chronic Migraine triggers. This may help avoid hunger-related headaches and maintain a healthy blood sugar level.

• Do not overindulge in caffeine: Caffeine has a complicated relationship with migraines. Excessive intake of caffeine may cause migraine pain but cut back on caffeine may cause withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety which causes migraine.

• Do not dehydrate yourself: Dehydration is one of the most common migraine triggers, so staying hydrated is key to chronic migraine management. While being sure to drink plenty of water to avoid the agony caused by this condition, you must also avoid consuming caffeine-containing and alcoholic beverages as it causes dehydration in the body.

• Do not stress: Stress and migraine go hand in hand. Anxiety, stress, and tension can be harmful to your health as they can trigger migraine, however, day-to-day stress cannot be avoided. So, finding ways to manage your stress is key. Getting enough sleep, exercising, eating well, keeping a positive attitude, managing your time wisely, meditation. can help in reducing stress.

• Avoid using electronic screens in excess:  Constantly looking at the television, computer, or phone screen might cause eye strain and hence trigger migraine. Take small breaks from your screen. This might help stop a migraine attack before it starts.

• Do not avoid exercising: Physical activity blocks pain signals to your brain by releasing certain chemicals. Additionally, these chemicals aid in reducing anxiety and depression, which are conditions that can exacerbate migraines. You can choose any exercise that you enjoy, such as walking, swimming, or cycling. However, exercise should be incorporated gradually to prevent migraines, since very vigorous exercise may also trigger a chronic migraine attack.

Chronic Migraine can be unbearable and isolating. When it occurs frequently, it can affect professional and personal life. Migraine treatment depends on the frequency, severity and duration of the symptoms. So, you should not delay in consulting a neurologist if you are experiencing headaches for more than fifteen days per month.

Apart from this, maintaining a headache diary with the details of your migraine symptoms and frequency may help in determining your triggers and ultimately in your treatment.

The author is MD, DM (Neurology), Consultant Neurologist, AMRI Hospital, Salt Lake, Kolkata