Migraines & Headaches Resource Center

There are many things that lead to migraines and many of the actual triggers have less to do than foods like chocolate, nuts, caffeine, wine and a ton of other substances, than they have to do with stress.

It is easy to eliminate the triggers that have to do with foods and other substances. Some are easier than others, but in the long run, it is easier not to drink wine or eat chocolate than it is to eliminate stress, especially in these extremely difficult times.

Researchers have suggested various ideas to help deal with stress to eliminate or at least diminish migraine headaches. Some of the suggestions are:

*When you feel stress coming on, get out – take a walk, get out of the room you are in
if possible – get some fresh air by opening a window or going outside

*Take a power nap – 15 to 30 minutes – just enough to relax you

*Visualize – Think about a place that makes you calm and/or happy

*Do something fun to make yourself laugh – even for 15 minutes. If you can spare a
minute to an hour to relax, you could avoid the migraine and go back to work with
a clear and positive mind ready to work

*Call a friend or loved one and try to meet for lunch or coffee and eep the conversation
positive – don’t brood on the problems

* Do something you like for a short time – bowling, bicycling, hiking, walking, chess,
reading, drawing or anything you really enjoy

At any rate, it is too much stress right now causing too many migraines, and though there is no way to eliminate stress or migraines completely, there are some things to do that can help you overcome stress without taking a lot of time. When you feel stress coming on, stop it before it goes too far. A few minutes to reduce stress will make your work more productive when you get back to it.  And you might not ever end up with that particular migraine.

Migraines have been a problem for a long time.  Not many years ago, the best doctors could do for a migraine sufferer, especially a chronic migraine sufferer, was to recommend rest, decrease of stress and aspirin, Tylenol or Advil.  In addition, ice packs were common treatments.  The problem was that most of these treatments didn’t work – and don’t work – against tough, strong, painful, debilitating and chronic migraines.

Because of continuous research in the medical field, such as researchers from the Mayo Clinic, National Institutes of Health and The National Headache Foundation, there have been many new medications developed and many new uses for existing medications, as well.

In addition, research has discovered some ways to help some migraine sufferers avoid a lot of medication and still ease the pain of migraines.  Research has also helped develop various treatments such as biofeedback, which often helps migraine sufferers ease the symptoms without medication or with less medication.  Research has also helped develop a number of specific medications that were created for migraines, such as Cafergot, Topomax, Imitrex, Toridol, Midrin, Maxalt, Relpax, Zomig, Frova, Acular, Axert, Anaprox, Fioricet, Orudis, Amerge, Migranol and many others.  The fact that there are now a large amount of choices of medications, when less than 15 years ago there were only one or two medications available that were specifically for migraines, helps migraine sufferers have choices and have a better chance to interact with doctors and other medical professionals involved in their treatment.  Without continuous research about migraines and what helps ease and relieve them, there could still only be a couple of medications available to migraine sufferers leaving few options and fewer conversation as well as less participation in a person’s own care and treatment of migraines.

Some of the more recent or ongoing studies about migraines have included looking at synapses, neurons, the role of resting MRI’s in diagnosing chronic migraines, the effects of estrogen levels and menstruation on migraines and many other studies and forms of research.

With this amount of research continuing throughout the country at major universities, medical centers and other heath care institutions, there is hope for migraine sufferers.  Today, there is hope in the form of choices of treatment and medications.  Tomorrow there could be answers about and elimination of the causes of migraines and the end of the excessive suffering from this debilitating form of headache.