The 5 Most Effective Home Remedies for Treating Migraine Attacks
Almost everyone has suffered from a migraine at some point or other in life; and if you've ever been saddled with side effects from taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, you might want to consider using home remedies for treating recurrent migraine attacks.
When treating a migraine attack, it is important to obtain relief from the symptoms of the attack, but it is also equally important to look at the underlying causes of your pain in order to prevent future attacks.
Migraines may be exacerbated by a number of factors, such as stress, diet, lack of sleep, and even exposure to extreme climactic conditions such as severe heat or cold. But essentially, migraines are caused by the enlargement of blood vessels that trigger the release of certain chemicals from nerve fibers that coil around the arteries and blood vessels in the brain. Migraine headaches activate the sympathetic nervous system, which controls automatic responses to stress and pain, or the well-known "fight or flight" response. The activation of this response causes many of the symptoms that often accompany a migraine headache, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
These tried-and-tested home remedies for treating migraine effectively address all of these symptoms.
Ice: Place an ice pack at the nape of the neck and/or surround your head with an ice wrap such as the type sold commonly in drug stores. This immediately reduces inflammation of the blood vessels in the brain, relieving the primary cause of pain.
Traction: Lie face-up on a bed with your legs elevated and your head hanging off the edge, allowing blood to circulate to the affected area. Use this in combination with ice therapy to immediately reduce inflammation of the blood vessels.
Peppermint Oil: Place a single drop of pure essential oil of Peppermint on the tongue, and another on the skin, at the area where the diaphragm is located. Peppermint oil is known for its cooling and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as its centuries-old reputation as an effective aid against vomiting, nausea and diarrhea.
Darken the room: Most migraine sufferers agree that bright lights make the headache worse, and lying down in a darkened room provides instant relief.
Vitamin B6: Many migraine sufferers experience a reduction in the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks once they begin taking a complex combination of B Vitamins, particularly Vitamin B6. Health practitioners often prescribe B6 to treat nausea, vomiting and headaches, as well as to control stress levels that contribute to migraine attacks. Take this as both an on-the-spot remedy to treat an actual migraine, and as a form of prevention to decrease the frequency and intensity of future attacks.
Remember to eat a balanced diet and get plenty of exercise and sleep. Approach life with a little bit less stress. By implementing a few healthy changes in your daily habits, and taking advantage of these effective home remedies, you may look forward to a migraine-free life!
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