Ways to prevent migraines

Start with the basics

Doubling down on good health habits helps prevent some migraines. Don't skip meals. Drink plenty of water. Be consistent about coffee, and you may not have to give it up. Sleep for 7 to 8 hours every night; you're more likely to have a migraine with less than 6 hours or more than 9. Regular exercise, especially cardio, will boost endorphins. Ease into your workouts with a warmup and end with a cool-down.

 

Nutrients

Having more of these in your diet may help prevent migraines:

Magnesium, a mineral in greens, grains, nuts, and seeds

CoQ10, an antioxidant in fatty fish and whole grains

Riboflavin, a B vitamin in milk and beef  

Melatonin, a brain hormone that regulates sleep, in many plant-based foods like tomatoes, olives, walnuts, barley, and rice

Ask your doctor before you take them as supplements though.

 

Use an app

In one study, 87% of the people that used a diary found that they had their own unique cluster of triggers, about four each. A high-tech diary, such as an app,can both track and analyze what you record. This helps you focus your prevention efforts.

 Monitor and manage stress

Write down your stress level at the end of each day. When it's higher than normal (a sign that a migraine is likely), take your migraine medication, and you may avoid getting one.

Yoga is great for easing stress. If you do it regularly, like 5 times a week, you may also get fewer migraines. Choose a gentle style like hatha or yin, not a challenging one like Iyengar or hot yoga.

 

Migraine prevention medication

If you don’t respond to other treatments and you have 4 or more migraine days a month, your doctor may suggest preventive medicines. You can take these regularly to reduce the severity or frequency of the headaches. These include seizure medicines, blood pressure medicines (like beta blockers and calcium channel blockers), and some antidepressants. CGRP inhibitors are a new class of preventive medicine that your doctor may recommend if other medicines don’t help.

 

Botox

If you have chronic migraine, a series of onabotulinum toxin A injections could give you relief for a few months. You'll get shots under the skin or into the muscles around your head, neck, and shoulders to interrupt the nerve signals for pain so you have fewer attacks. It doesn't work right away, it doesn't work for everyone, and it can be expensive.

 

Be aware of your menstrual cycle

For many women, migraines follow a monthly pattern, often in the stretch before and during each period. Take NSAIDs (like ibuprofen or naproxen) or your preventive medication on each high-risk day. If that doesn't work or your period is irregular, ask your doctor about using birth control pills continuously.

 

Watch the weather

While you can't always avoid it, you can try to become less sensitive to elements that affect you -- like higher temperature, humidity, a drop in barometric pressure -- by facing them regularly and for gradually longer stretches. If you get migraines more often when you also have a stuffy, runny, or itchy nose, ask your doctor if antihistamines or allergy shots could help. Avoid decongestants; they can sometimes cause migraines.

 

Acupuncture

In some studies, this ancient Chinese practice was effective for reducing the number of migraine headaches for many people. Acupuncture seems to be about as effective as some of the standard medical treatments in preventing migraines.

 

On the horizon

New drugs in the prevention pipeline target brain chemicals behind migraines.

Testing is also being done on tints and films for eyeglasses. These might help if your migraines are triggered by light.

 

At-home devices

Hand-held gadgets send magnetic or electrical signals to certain nerves in your brain. Depending on the unit, you simply place it on your head or neck for a few minutes at a time. Over time, you may get fewer migraines and need less migraine medicine. Some of these devices already have FDA approval; others, including a headset style, are still being studied.

 

Review your medicines

Some prescription and over-the-counter products, from heartburn pills to antidepressants, have been linked to migraine. Check with your doctor to see if what you're taking could be a trigger. Adjusting the dose or changing problem drugs may lower the number of migraines you get.

 

Medical marijuana

If it's legal where you live, using a strain high in CBD may help prevent migraines. There is some limited research available that suggests CDB may help prevent migraines, but more research is needed

 

Don't wait for pain

Most migraines start with at least one symptom hours or even a day before a headache sets in. Common ones are yawning, a change in mood or irritability, fatigue, neck ache, and sensitivity to light. Take your migraine medication as soon as you notice any of these signs, and you may be able to prevent a full-blown attack.

 

Ways to prevent migraines

Start with the basics Doubling down on good health habits helps prevent some migraines. Dont skip meals. Drink plenty of water. Be consistent about coffee, and you may not have to give it up. Sleep for 7 to 8 hours every night; youre more likely to have a migraine with less than 6 hours or more than 9. Regular exercise, especially cardio, will boost endorphins. Ease into your workouts with a warmup and end with a cool-down. Nutrients Having more of these in your diet may help prevent migraines: Magnesium, a mineral in greens, grains, nuts, and seeds CoQ10, an antioxidant in fatty fish and whole grains Riboflavin, a B vitamin in milk and beef Melatonin, a brain hormone that regulates sleep, in many plant-based foods like tomatoes, olives, walnuts, barley, and rice Ask your doctor before you take them as supplements though. Use an app In one study, 87% of the people that used a diary found that they had their own unique cluster of triggers, about four each. A high-tech diary, such as an app,can both track and analyze what you record. This helps you focus your prevention efforts. Monitor and manage stress Write down your stress level at the end of each day. When its higher than normal (a sign that a migraine is likely), take your migraine medication, and you may avoid getting one. Yoga is great for easing stress. If you do it regularly, like 5 times a week, you may also get fewer migraines. Choose a gentle style like hatha or yin, not a challenging one like Iyengar or hot yoga. Migraine prevention medication If you dont respond to other treatments and you have 4 or more migraine days a month, your doctor may suggest preventive medicines. You can take these regularly to reduce the severity or frequency of the headaches. These include seizure medicines, blood pressure medicines (like beta blockers and calcium channel blockers), and some antidepressants. CGRP inhibitors are a new class of preventive medicine that your doctor may recommend if other medicines dont help. Botox If you have chronic migraine, a series of onabotulinum toxin A injections could give you relief for a few months. Youll get shots under the skin or into the muscles around your head, neck, and shoulders to interrupt the nerve signals for pain so you have fewer attacks. It doesnt work right away, it doesnt work for everyone, and it can be expensive. Be aware of your menstrual cycle For many women, migraines follow a monthly pattern, often in the stretch before and during each period. Take NSAIDs (like ibuprofen or naproxen) or your preventive medication on each high-risk day. If that doesnt work or your period is irregular, ask your doctor about using birth control pills continuously. Watch the weather While you cant always avoid it, you can try to become less sensitive to elements that affect you -- like higher temperature, humidity, a drop in barometric pressure -- by facing them regularly and for gradually longer stretches. If you get migraines more often when you also have a stuffy, runny, or itchy nose, ask your doctor if antihistamines or allergy shots could help. Avoid decongestants; they can sometimes cause migraines. Acupuncture In some studies, this ancient Chinese practice was effective for reducing the number of migraine headaches for many people. Acupuncture seems to be about as effective as some of the standard medical treatments in preventing migraines. On the horizon New drugs in the prevention pipeline target brain chemicals behind migraines. Testing is also being done on tints and films for eyeglasses. These might help if your migraines are triggered by light. At-home devices Hand-held gadgets send magnetic or electrical signals to certain nerves in your brain. Depending on the unit, you simply place it on your head or neck for a few minutes at a time. Over time, you may get fewer migraines and need less migraine medicine. Some of these devices already have FDA approval; others, including a headset style, are still being studied. Review your medicines Some prescription and over-the-counter products, from heartburn pills to antidepressants, have been linked to migraine. Check with your doctor to see if what youre taking could be a trigger. Adjusting the dose or changing problem drugs may lower the number of migraines you get. Medical marijuana If its legal where you live, using a strain high in CBD may help prevent migraines. There is some limited research available that suggests CDB may help prevent migraines, but more research is needed Dont wait for pain Most migraines start with at least one symptom hours or even a day before a headache sets in. Common ones are yawning, a change in mood or irritability, fatigue, neck ache, and sensitivity to light. Take your migraine medication as soon as you notice any of these signs, and you may be able to prevent a full-blown attack.