Care for a Migraine
Migraine attacks can last for hours or days. Treatment for severe, chronic headaches begins by finding the cause, if possible. Don't accept unrelenting pain; treatments are available.
Instructions
1. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms so he or she can make a proper diagnosis and rule out the possibility of an underlying disease. Look for signs of migraine such as throbbing pain, often on one side of the head, and nausea. These symptoms may be preceded by visual disturbances such as flickering lights.
2. Ask your doctor which type of prescription migraine medication is right for your type of headache. Many of these can effectively relieve a migraine if taken early on.
3. Lie in a darkened, quiet, odor-free room and apply cold compresses to the temples, eyes and eye sockets. This may curb a full-blown migraine.
4. Compress and release the artery running along the side of your temple with your fingers.
5. Quell the queasiness with a prescription antinausea medication. Consider antinausea suppositories.
6. Avoid any foods that might trigger a migraine. Common foods are hot dogs and preserved meats, shellfish, nuts, aged cheese, yogurt, alcohol (especially red wine), MSG, chocolate, artificial sweeteners and certain fruits. If you eat a food for the first time and get a migraine 2 hours later, it's probably best to stay away from this food.
7. Try drinking coffee. For some people suffering from caffeine withdrawal, caffeine helps relieve symptoms.
8. Ask your doctor if a preventive medication would be appropriate for you.
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