Migraines For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Today’s jam-packed migraine wheelhouse has treatments and lifestyle tips galore. Luckily, the right options will stop (or limit) your pain and nausea. Simply arm yourself with the latest knowledge on triggers to avoid, the medication that works for you, and a knack for moderating your sleep, exercise, hydration, meals, and stress. Importantly, too, make a mental note of what signals a dangerous headache. And, finally, know the common triggers of migraines because it’s easier to be proactive than reactive. Follow the steps in migraine management listed here, and don’t fall for myths. Then you’re ready to wrangle those super-reactive neurons in your head — and fully capable of being the puppet-master who makes the migraine attack retreat.

Red flags: Know when a headache may be dangerous

• Your headaches are getting worse and more frequent.
• You have headaches caused by exertion.
• You’re older than 50, and your headaches are different from ones in the past.
• The medication you use for headaches no longer gets rid of the pain.
• You have a headache with pain and tenderness in the temples, or jaw pain caused by chewing food.

Ask for an urgent doctor appointment or go to the emergency room (ER) if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms:

• You have a headache as well as a stiff neck, fever, or rash.
• Your head pain strikes like a thunderclap—very suddenly and very painfully.
• You experience a worst-ever headache.
• At 50+, you have your first-ever headache.
• With your headache, you have vision loss, coordination problems, or feel disoriented or dizzy.
• You’ve had a head injury recently, and now you’re having headaches.
• You have a medical condition such as cancer, high blood pressure, or a weakened immune system—along with bad headaches.
• With your headache, you have leg or arm weakness, numbness, slurred speech, and/or vision problems.

Take your children to the ER if they have these any of these symptoms with a headache:

• Worsening pain with headaches that are more frequent.
• High fever, bad headache, vomiting, stiff neck, or confusion.
• Sudden, awful head pain and or weakness and clumsiness.
• Double vision, dizziness, slurred speech, loss of balance or coordination.

Common migraine triggers

Common migraine triggers include the following:

• Environmental: Weather changes, high altitude, bright lights, fluorescent lighting, strong odors
• Dietary: Alcohol, MSG, aged cheese, nitrites, uneven caffeine consumption, skipped meals
• Hormonal: Menstruation, menopause, pregnancy, hormone replacement therapy, birth control pills
• Sleep: Irregular sleep patterns, sleep disorders, binge-watching TV, sleep deprivation, too much sleep
• Miscellaneous: Stress, fatigue, and certain prescription drugs

Steps for managing migraines

Here are the key steps to take to eliminate migraine pain:

1. See your doctor for evaluation if over-the-counter (OTC) headache medications don’t get rid of pain.
2. Find the medications that eliminate your head pain and use them as advised.
3. Exercise regularly but avoid exertion that leads to headaches.
4. Monitor regular timing of sleep, food, and caffeine, and avoid dietary triggers.

Migraine myths

Myths and misconceptions about migraines abound, and they’re not helpful to anyone.

Following are some common ones, accompanied by the real story:

Common Migraine Signs

Think you might have migraines? Check out the common symptoms that follow. Then, when you go to see your doctor for a diagnosis, you will arrive in the office already well versed on signs of migraines that many people experience who have these headaches on a regular basis.

• Moderate to severe throbbing pain usually on one side of your head
• Pain that lasts from several hours to three days
• Lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting
• Visual disturbances (flashing or zigzag lights or partial vision) preceding or accompanying head pain
• Sensitivity to light, noise, or smells
• Lethargy and malaise