It is estimated that 25% of women and 8% of men will get a migraine headache at some point during their lifetime. It therefore stands to reason that migraine headache relief is foremost in many people’s minds.
Migraines are a serious problem not only in the United States, where over 29 million people are affected, but throughout rest of the world as well. Many often wonder if there is any way to alleviate their distress once an attack is underway, but this article will look at some alternatives.
To put it mildly, migraine headaches are very painful and severe. They usually occur on one side of the head and are accompanied by several symptoms including sensitivity to light and noise, nausea and vomiting. These symptoms can last a few hours or for as long as two to three days.
Some over-the-counter medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen have been found to give temporary migraine relief. The good thing about these is that they can be obtained without a prescription, however you will still need to monitor your intake of them in order to prevent becoming over medicated.
Aromatherapy has also been used to obtain migraine relief. It provides the relaxation that the muscles need in order to combat the pain and tension of migraines. Through the use of a combination of essential oils like rosemary, peppermint, jasmine and lavender, tension is released, the muscles relax, and blood flow is increased. These oils are usually either applied to the skin or inhaled.
It has also been suggested that adjusting your sleeping patterns and sleeping position can sometims provide relief from migraines. Many migraine sufferers are found to be sleep deprived, getting less than five hours of sleep. Therefore sleeping for a longer time, between five and seven hours is recommended as it will provide the restoration the body needs to feel refreshed. This will help you in get relief for your headache.
Sleeping in the correct position is also important. Sleeping on a pillow, which allows for a slight elevation of the head eases tension in the head, back and shoulders, and releasing tension will go a long way in easing migraine pain.
Acupuncture, an ancient Chinese therapy, has also been effective in providing migraine headache relief for some. It involves the insertion of thin metallic needles into the skin at certain pressure points. The needles are then gently manipulated. Several studies and reviews have indicated that acupuncture can control the pain that comes with a migraine attack.
Homeopathy, which involves the use of natural medicine, is also recommended for migraine relief. This solution can reduce the frequency of migraines while alleviating stress and other symptoms of tension. However, because each medicine targets particular symptoms, it is always best to know the characteristics of your headache in order to select the most appropriate remedy.
In summary, there are several options to choose from when looking for migraine headache relief. The use of non-prescription drugs and homeopathic treatments are important in helping to reduce the symptoms and frequency of headaches and other natural remedies such as acupuncture are also beneficial.
About the author: Joel Gray wants to help you discover how to get rid of your migraine headaches once and for all. There are proven and effective migraine treatments to get relief for your migraines. Click here to learn more.
Photo courtesy of Mike Johnson.