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relieve migraine headachesThe approximately 36 million migraine sufferers in the US often experience headaches that are so painful and debilitating that they interfere with daily activities. While medication is an important and helpful method of treatment, there are many behavioral and lifestyle changes that can help relieve migraine headaches by lessening the severity and frequency of symptoms. Listed below are seven behavioral and lifestyle recommendations that can improve the treatment of your headaches.

  1. Eat Regular Meals

Fasting can trigger migraines, so try to space out your meals evenly throughout the day.

  1. Light, Healthy Snacking Before Bed

A healthy snack before bed, such as a few nuts or some fruit, can reduce the risk of an acute migraine by up to 40 percent.

  1. Moderate Caffeine

Moderation here is key; up to 10 ounces per day of caffeinated beverages may lessen the pain of an acute migraine episode. However, consuming more than this can precipitate withdrawal headaches.

  1. Avoid Red Wine and Processed Meats

Red wine and the nitrates/nitrites in processed meats like bacon and hot dogs can trigger migraine attacks, so these should be avoided.

  1. Aerobic Exercise

Getting in roughly 40 minutes of light to moderate aerobic exercise three to four days per week can be very helpful for mitigating migraines.

  1. Sleep

Aim for seven or eight hours of sleep, and try to maintain a consistent wake/sleep schedule each day.

  1. Treating Acute Migraines – Timing is Everything

An acute migraine episode should be treated as quickly as possible with your medicine. Waiting may cause the medicine to be less effective at providing relief.

Interested in learning more about Migraine research? The Premiere Research Institute in West Palm Beach regularly conducts clinical research studies in the field of Migraines. To find out more about these studies, call 561-845-0500, click here or sign up for our newsletter to keep informed about the newest treatments, articles, and research that are being conducted in the field of Migraines.

References:

Lee Peterlin. Johns Hopkins Health Review.