Migraine Treatment Guide (Introduction) http://www.mingyihui.net/article_408.html Migraine is a type of recurrent throbbing headache, belonging to one of the most common types among various headaches. Before an episode occurs, there are often precursors such as flashes of light, blurred vision, and limb numbness. Then, after about several minutes to an hour, a pulsating pain appears on one side of the head, gradually intensifying until nausea and vomiting occur, which provides some relief. The headache eases in a quiet, dark environment or after sleep. During the occurrence of a headache, or when it happens, it may be accompanied by neurological and mental dysfunction. Meanwhile, it is a disease that can progressively worsen, with the frequency of episodes typically increasing. Studies have shown that migraine patients are more likely than normal people to experience localized brain damage, leading to strokes. The more frequent the migraines, the larger the damaged area of the brain becomes.
What causes migraines?
Experts from both China and abroad state that the exact cause of migraines remains unclear, but it may be related to the following factors:
(1) Genetic factors: About 60% of patients have a family history, and some families have epilepsy patients. Therefore, experts believe that this disease is related to genetics, but there is no consistent genetic pattern yet.
(2) Endocrine factors: Vascular migraines are more common in women during puberty. Episodes frequently occur during menstruation, stop during pregnancy, reoccur after childbirth, and gradually decrease or disappear after menopause.
(3) Dietary factors: People who regularly consume cheese, chocolate, spicy foods, or smoke and drink alcohol are more prone to vascular migraines.
(4) Other factors: Emotional tension, psychological trauma, anxiety, hunger, insomnia, poor external environment, and climate change can also trigger migraines.
How should migraines be diagnosed?
1. Family history and patient medical history can serve as reference clues for diagnosis.
2. Diagnosis based on the symptoms exhibited by the patient when they experience headaches.
3. Auxiliary examination using relevant instruments.
How should migraines be prevented?
To date, there is no special treatment method that can prevent migraines from recurring! However, practice has proven that besides psychological adjustment and dietary care, the most effective treatment method is to conduct preventive treatment during the intermission period of migraines.
1. Avoid 3C Foods
Cheese, chocolate, citrus fruits, as well as pickled sardines, chicken liver, tomatoes, milk, and lactic acid beverages, all contain high levels of tyramine. Tyramine is the main inducer of blood vessel spasm. So if you have a history of migraines, it's best to stay away from these foods.
2. Be cautious with sausages and hot dogs
Processed meats like sausages, hot dogs, ham, salted meat, and foods containing nitrites, as well as foods rich in monosodium glutamate (MSG), can trigger your migraines. In daily life, it's best to minimize their intake as much as possible.
3. Beware of artificial sweeteners
Research has found that the artificial sweetener "aspartame" excessively stimulates or interferes with nerve endings, increasing muscle tension and causing migraines. Aspartame is found in low-sugar colas, low-sugar sodas, sugar-free gum, ice cream, multivitamins, and many over-the-counter medications. Therefore, for those allergic to aspartame, even a small sip of low-sugar soda can trigger a headache.
"The Focus" tip: Pay attention to the food content labels on product packaging. If you see Amino acids, Aspartic acid, or Phenylalanine listed, it's best to avoid them.
In addition, Dr. Liu Yanping from the Nutrition Department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital suggests: To increase the sweetness of food or drinks, it's best to use honey instead of white sugar or artificial sweeteners.
4. Use painkillers and cold medicine cautiously
Painkillers might seem like an inviting trap. Many people privately take painkillers to try to alleviate the pain, but taking excessive amounts of painkillers not only fails to relieve the pain but also causes "rebound headaches" caused by medication, leading to chronic migraines. If you take painkillers more than two or three times a week to relieve pain, seek medical attention immediately!
5. Get some magnesium!
Magnesium regulates blood flow and relaxes muscles. For some people, even a slight magnesium deficiency can trigger headaches. The National Headache Foundation of the United States suggests supplementing with 500-750 mg of magnesium daily.
"The Focus" tip: Supplementing with magnesium may cause diarrhea as a side effect, so it's best to consult a doctor and follow medical advice. Alternatively, eat more magnesium-rich foods in your daily diet, such as whole grains, nuts and seeds (such as sunflower seeds, almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, etc.), cauliflower, and tofu.
6. Supplement Vitamin B2
Studies have found that taking high doses of oral Vitamin B2 can reduce the frequency and duration of migraine attacks, but the dosage should not exceed 400 mg per day.
7. Coffee - Your Joy and Sorrow
Caffeine stimulates the nervous system and interferes with sleep. Drinking too much can lead to addiction, and quitting coffee can trigger migraines. Therefore, the amount of coffee consumed in a day should be less than 100 mg (about one cup of strong coffee).
8. Drink Less Red Wine
All alcoholic beverages can trigger headaches, especially red wine, which contains more chemicals that induce headaches. If you really want to have a couple of drinks, it's best to choose colorless alcohol like vodka or spirits.
9. Learn to Reduce Stress
If you often suffer from migraines due to work stress, consider soaking in warm baths or trying some muscle relaxation techniques, such as abdominal breathing: inhale slowly, allowing your abdomen to fully expand outward, and exhale while feeling your abdomen gradually contract inward.
10. Regular Exercise
Doctors point out that for people with migraines, exercises focusing on breathing training and regulating breath (such as yoga and qigong) can help stabilize the autonomic nervous system, reduce anxiety, and alleviate muscle tension and other symptoms.
11. Maintain Regular Sleep Patterns, Avoid Reversing Day and Night
Maintaining regular rest schedules, even on holidays, going to bed and waking up at fixed times, is particularly important for people with migraines. Because both insufficient sleep and oversleeping can easily trigger migraines.
12. Make Good Use of Hot Compresses and Ice Packs
When you have a headache, try placing a hot compress on your neck and an ice pack on your forehead. Cold and heat stimulation can effectively relieve muscle tension and reduce pain.
13. Do Shoulder and Neck Exercises Frequently
Experts have found that when certain parts of the neck and shoulder muscles are under pressure, it can exacerbate migraines and even cause people who have never had migraines to develop chronic migraines. Therefore, for office workers, if you need to use a computer for long periods, pay attention to the height of the screen and chair, and maintain good posture. After working for 50 minutes, take a 10-minute break, and frequently rotate your neck and shoulders.
14. Drink More Water During Menstruation
Migraines often occur during a woman's menstrual period, so when your period is approaching or during your period, it's best to drink more water than usual to help detoxify your body and effectively reduce the incidence of migraines.
15. Be Careful with Your Perfume and Various Cleaners
Strong odors, such as cigarettes, cigars, paint, exhaust fumes, cleaners, chemical detergents, and printing ink, can trigger migraines. It's best to keep windows open for ventilation in daily life and try to avoid places with strong irritating odors, such as gas stations.
16. Be Cautious with Birth Control Pills
Some women start experiencing migraines after taking birth control pills for the first time. Some experts believe that women with migraines taking birth control pills may even increase their risk of stroke.
17. Wear Your Sunglasses
Neurologists remind everyone: Strong sunlight and reflective flashes can increase the incidence of migraines by 25-30%. Therefore, people with migraines should wear sunglasses when going out to avoid strong light exposure.
18. Create a Quiet Environment
Strong light and noisy environments can trigger migraines. More than 70% of migraine patients are abnormally sensitive to loud noises. When renovating, it's best to let workers enhance the soundproofing effect of the room, and curtains should preferably be slightly thicker styles.
20. Eat Fish to Prevent Headaches
Eating fish at least three times a week and taking some fish oil supplements can effectively reduce the frequency of migraine attacks.
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