Mental Health

6 Ways to Prevent Migraines

By Cheri Cheng | Update Date: Sep 03, 2014 03:49 PM EDT

Migraines can disrupt people's abilities to carry out every day errands. Since they can be extremely painful, doing any mental work can feel impossible. Fortunately for people who suffer from migraines, there are measures that they can be taken to prevent them.

Here are 6 habits people can do to keep migraines at bay:

1. Eat Smart

Migraines and other forms of headaches can develop when the body is deprived of food or water. When people do not eat for a long period of time, their blood sugar levels can fall, which subsequently can trigger migraines. In order to prevent these types of migraines, people should keep healthy snacks nearby to curb hunger and cravings. Staying hydrated can also prevent unwanted headaches.

2. Use a Supplement

Supplements can also help prevent migraines. Several studies have found that including vitamin B2, magnesium, and coenzyme Q10 into one's diet can help prevent migraines. Other studies have suggested that using the herbs, feverfew and butterbur can also prevent migraines as well. Before including these supplements and herbs into one's daily regimen, remember to consult a medical professional first.

3. Keep up the Cardio

Staying active with moderate cardio, such as light running, can also help prevent migraines. According to the results from a small study conducted in Sweden, researchers found that when people cycled three times a week, they experienced fewer migraines after three months. If people are just starting up a physical activity routine, experts recommend people to start slowly and build up strength. Exercising too fast and/or too hard can trigger headaches.

4. Be Boring...Sometimes

One of the leading causes of migraines is stress. In order to reduce migraine frequency, people have to find ways to lower their stress levels. One way to do so is to do less. If people spend less time running around to participate in every activity they are invited to, they could give their brains a break. This could end up reducing their number of migraines.

5. Reconsider Birth Control

For women on birth control who experience migraines, looking into other options can help reduce the severity or frequency of these migraines. Some of these options, such as the pill and NuvaRing, contain estrogen, which has been linked to causing hormonal fluctuations that can trigger or worsen migraines. By discussing these issues with the doctor, people could find other birth control options that are more ideal for them.

6. Have Sex

One way to relieve stress and tension in the body is to do something fun, like sex. A German study conducted in 2013 found that sex could relieve migraine symptoms. During sex, the body releases endorphins, which are natural opiates created by the body. So if all other options fail, hop in the sack.

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