Warning Signs of a Migraine
You might start noticing the warning signs of a migraine, which include pre-headache, also referred to as a prodrome. It can start several hours or even days before the migraine fully hits you, but this varies from person to person. You can note down how you feel before the migraine begins so you can be prepared the next time it happens, and see an expert physician like Dr. Scarborough of Conroe, TX. People experience different symptoms but some symptoms happen more commonly than others do. You might start yawning a lot, get depressed and irritable hours or days before the headache, or frequently feel the need to pee. You might also crave certain foods, especially chocolate and sweets, which misleads many people into thinking that it’s the food that caused the headache since the migraine started after they ate the food they were craving.
Other Warning Signs
Other warning signs include a feeling of intense happiness or euphoria days or hours before the headache hits you. You may start feeling unusually tired before a migraine, and sleeping too much may trigger the headache. There’s a connection between sleep and your symptoms, and you need to pay attention to that. Being aware will help you stay away from your triggers and possibly prevent the migraine from hitting. Being suddenly sensitive to bright lights and loud noises can be a sign, and if you’ve already experienced a headache, they can trigger a migraine. Sensitivity to bright lights and loud noises often continue through the migraine and post-migraine stages.
Other issues last for a short time such as changes in vision. As you approach the migraine stage, you may experience blurry vision, as well as blind spots, seeing shapes and flashing lights. These may continue to get worse. For many people, the onset of prodrome also comes with problems in the digestive tract. You may start feeling sick to your stomach and even have diarrhea with constipation. Seeing a doctor will help drive away these symptoms but will do nothing to prevent the migraine from coming.
Relievers
The trick is to get medication as soon as possible, whether they are prescription medication or over-the-counter drugs. Do this immediately you notice the first symptoms. The earlier you get them, the better the results will be. It’s also important to note that taking drugs too often or taking too much of them can cause problems such as stomach ulcers and withdrawal headaches when you stop taking them.
Have a little caffeine, especially if you’re at the early stages of the migraine. Caffeine may also help to boost the effects of pain relievers such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and aspirin. Be careful not to overindulge, as too much caffeine leads to withdrawal headaches when you want to stop. Try to meditate as often as you can. A therapist or teacher can help you get started by doing it for 10 minutes every day. Breathe slowly but deeply as you relax the muscles in your body. After it’s complete, sit quietly for a few minutes and clear your mind. This works anytime but will be especially helpful when you notice the early signs of a migraine. Lastly, avoid food triggers such as cheese, certain nuts, alcohol, and pickled items, which can lead to a migraine. You’ll figure out what to avoid if you keep track of what you eat.