Feel the excruciating headache that strikes when you least expect it? When you want to destroy every source of light and sound making it a thousand times worse and all you crave is a dark, quiet room where you can go and lie down? Well, the least we can do to ease your trouble is to bring the following 5 tips for instant migraine relief from our experts to help ease your migraines.
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Why do migraines make you nauseous?
Migraine nausea occurs in 90% and vomiting occurs in about 70% of migraine sufferers. Like most migraine symptoms, doctors still aren’t sure exactly what’s going on in the body during a migraine that causes nausea and vomiting. So the short answer is that we’re not exactly sure why migraines give you a hangover. It could be because digestion slows down significantly or even stops during a migraine attack. In addition to a migraine that makes you nauseous, it can lead to constipation. Besides nausea and constipation, this slow or stopped digestion can also make it harder for you to absorb your migraine medication.
Why should you treat migraines early and effectively?
There is no single anti-nausea medication that works perfectly for everyone to relieve nausea caused by migraines. Because some have side effects, it’s important to talk openly with your doctor about trying an anti-nausea medication to find the one that works best for you. Treating migraine nausea early and aggressively is important. The sooner you treat your nausea, the more effective the migraine-nausea treatment you choose will be. Thomas Berk, Medical Director of Neura Health wrote an excellent article on migraine medications. Check it out if you want to learn more.
The recent Migraine Nausea study by Dr. Richard B. Lipton found that persistent nausea is associated with eventual migraine progression. This means that people with persistent nausea are more likely to progress from migraine to chronic migraine. Persistent nausea can also be a sign of a worsening reaction to a migraine treatment you’re using. If you frequently feel nauseous along with your attacks, contact your doctor for guidance. Because when it comes to migraines, one thing is clear. The more effectively we reduce migraine nausea, the more effectively we are able to prevent migraine attacks from getting worse.
5 Tips for instant migraine relief
Try warm foods and warm liquids
Remember how we talked about how digestion slows or stops during a migraine? This means that fluids are usually better tolerated when you are nauseous. Broths and soups can be a good first step to soothing your nausea. They also provide water and electrolytes, which is especially important if you’re vomiting. Warm teas such as chamomile, ginger, cinnamon, and mint can also be an effective treatment strategy for reducing nausea caused by migraines.
In addition to fluids, you’ll want to know what to eat when nauseated from a migraine. You probably won’t feel like eating much, but when you do try warm foods. Warm foods are easier on the stomach, as opposed to cold foods like salads which are more difficult to digest. Bland and perishable foods such as mashed potatoes, rice noodles, scrambled eggs, and dry foods such as crackers and cookies are generally well tolerated.
The BRAT diet (banana, rice, apple sauce, and toast) is a popular way to relieve nausea. This chicken and brown rice soup recipe from Dizzy Cook combines many of these soothing foods and includes a protein that can help normalize stomach activity. Be sure to stay upright for at least 30 minutes after eating to avoid making nausea symptoms worse.
Vitamin B2 supplement
Studies show that patients who take 400mg of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) daily report pain after three months. Increase the amount of riboflavin in your diet or take supplements regularly to reduce the risk of headaches that can turn into migraines.
Mild anti-depressants
Some migraines are caused by an imbalance in serotonin levels in the body. That’s something most antidepressants control. So mild antidepressants can help relieve migraine attacks. Consult your doctor before using any migraine medications because they can seriously affect your health.
Anti-inflammatory drugs
Most women experience migraines just before or during their menstrual cycle when estrogen levels drop. This can be alleviated by taking anti-inflammatory medication a few days before your period begins.
Cool air movement, heat, and slight pressure on the abdomen
It’s not clear why cool, moving air helps relieve migraine nausea, but for many of us, it works. Perhaps because the feeling of nausea often accompanies cold sweats, the movement of air is simply a pleasant sensation. If you live in a cooler climate, open a window or step outside and let the cold air blow over you.
If you live in a warm climate as I do in Florida, lower the thermostat of your air conditioner. Moving air also helps reduce nausea and vomiting. I use a small handheld fan that plugs right into my cell phone for instant nausea anywhere, including when I happen to hang myself in the toilet. Seriously, doesn’t vomiting also make you instantly hot?
Speaking of heat, many people in our community say they have used heating pads on their abdomens to relieve nausea. Adding heat to your abdomen can increase blood flow to this area and aid in muscle movement and digestion, helping to limit the digestive delay that occurs during attacks.
We often automatically hug and press our stomach when we feel nauseous. That’s because the warmth and light pressure is soothing. I also get the same relief from this weighted heating pad that works by generating the same amount of warmth and pressure.
Conclusion
It is important to remember that these nausea management tips for instant migraine relief are used by migraine patients. Although the vomiting can relieve a migraine, never intentionally induce vomiting. Always talk to your doctor before trying any medical treatment strategy, medication, or supplement.
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