HomeAnswersVascular SurgerymigraineI experience severe migraines in winter. Kindly help.

What is the treatment for migraine?

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Published At May 3, 2024
Reviewed AtMay 3, 2024

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I have been experiencing migraines that turn out intense during the winter. Can you provide personalized insights into managing migraine pain specifically in the winter, considering any weather-related triggers and potential lifestyle adjustments or treatments based on my individual health and migraine patterns? Kindly suggest.

Thank you.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

Migraines: Simple steps to head off the pain Medicine is a proven way to both treat and prevent migraines. But medicine is only part of the story. It is also important to take good care of yourself and understand how to cope with migraine pain when it strikes. The same lifestyle choices that promote overall good health also can reduce the number of migraines you have and lessen the migraine pain. Combining medicine with behavioral measures and lifestyle can often be the most effective way to handle migraines. I suggest you follow the below mentioned instructions: Find a calm environment. At the first sign of a migraine, take a break and step away from whatever you're doing if possible. Turn off the lights. Light and sound can make migraine pain worse. Relax in a dark, quiet room. Sleep if you can. Try temperature therapy by applying hot or cold compresses to your head or neck. Ice packs have a numbing effect, which may dull the pain. Hot packs and heating pads can relax tense muscles. Warm showers or baths may have a similar effect. Sip a caffeinated drink. In small amounts, caffeine alone can relieve migraine pain in the early stages. Caffeine also may enhance the pain-reducing effects of Acetaminophen. Be careful, however. Drinking too much caffeine too often can lead to withdrawal headaches later on. And having caffeine too late in the day may interfere with sleep, which can affect migraines. Sleep adequately. Migraines may keep you from falling asleep or wake you up at night. Likewise, migraines are often triggered by a poor night's sleep. Here are some tips to encourage sound sleep. Establish regular sleep hours. Wake up and go to bed at the same time every day — even on weekends. If you nap during the day, keep it short. Naps longer than 20 to 30 minutes may interfere with night time sleep. Unwind at the end of the day. Anything that helps you relax can promote better sleep. Listen to soothing music, soak in a warm bath or read a favorite book. But watch what you eat and drink before bedtime.

Intense exercise, heavy meals, caffeine, nicotine and alcohol can interfere with sleep. Lessen distractions. Save your bedroom for sleep and intimacy.

Do not watch television or take work materials to bed. Close your bedroom door. Use a fan to muffle distracting noises. Do not try so hard to sleep. The harder you try to sleep, the more awake you will feel. If you cannot fall asleep, read or do another quiet activity until you become drowsy. Check your medicine. Medicine that contains caffeine or another stimulant may interfere with sleep. Eat wisely. Your eating habits can influence your migraines. Consider the basics: Be consistent. Eat at about the same time every day. Donot skip meals. Fasting increases the risk of migraines. Keep a food journal. Keeping track of the foods you eat and when you have migraines can help you find potential food triggers. Avoid foods that trigger migraines. If you suspect that a certain food is triggering migraines, remove it from your diet to see what happens. These foods may include aged cheese, chocolate, caffeine and alcohol. Exercise regularly. During physical activity, your body releases certain chemicals that block pain signals to your brain. These chemicals also help reduce anxiety and depression — two conditions that can make migraines worse. Obesity also increases the risk of chronic headaches. Maintaining a healthy weight through exercise and diet can provide additional benefits in managing migraines. If your health care provider agrees, choose any exercise you enjoy. Walking, swimming and cycling are often good choices. Just remember to ease into exercise gradually, as very vigorous exercise may trigger migraines. Manage stress. Stress and migraines often go hand in hand. You cannot avoid daily stress, but you can keep it under control to help manage your migraines. Simplify your life. Donot look for ways to squeeze more activities or chores into the day. Instead, find a way to leave some things out. Manage your time wisely. Update your to-do list every day both at work and at home. Delegate what you can, and divide large projects into manageable chunks. Take a break. If you feel overwhelmed, a few slow stretches or a quick walk may renew your energy for the task at hand. Adjust your attitude. Stay positive. If you find yourself thinking, "This can't be done," switch gears. Think instead, "This will be tough. But I can make it work." Enjoy yourself. Find time to do something you enjoy for at least 15 minutes every day. It could be playing a game, having coffee with a friend or pursuing a hobby. Doing something you enjoy is a natural way to combat stress. Relax. Deep breathing from your diaphragm can help you relax. Focus on inhaling and exhaling slowly and deeply for at least 10 minutes every day. It may help to relax your muscles, one group at a time. When you're done, sit quietly for a minute or two. Keep a migraine diary. A diary may help you determine what triggers your migraines. Note when your migraines started, what you were doing at the time, how long they lasted and what, if anything, provided relief. Until recently, avoiding migraine triggers was considered the best advice. But new research suggests this may actually increase sensitivity to potential triggers. A more useful approach may be to gradually expose yourself to triggers, and learn to cope with these headache triggers by using behavioral management techniques. These may include identifying and challenging negative thoughts, relaxation training, and stress reduction. More research is needed to understand if and how this approach is more effective in managing migraines. Strive for balance Living with migraines is a daily challenge. But making healthy lifestyle choices can help. Ask your friends and loved ones for support. If you're feeling anxious or depressed, consider joining a support group or seeking counseling. Believe in your ability to take control of the pain.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Vedprakash Verma
Dr. Vedprakash Verma

General Practitioner

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