How to Get Rid of Migraines Fast (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Jason Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-19 22:11

If not treated immediately, migraines can last from four hours to three days. Stop migraine suffering immediately by placing yourself in a migraine-relieving environment and trying various treatments or natural remedies that are believed to help deal with this throbbing headache.

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Part 1 of 3: Natural Medicine

Step 1. Take the right supplements

Research-recommended supplements that can help get rid of migraines are vitamin B2, bay leaf, melatonin, butterbur plant, coenzyme Q10, and magnesium.

Supplements containing butterbur are among the most beneficial and can prevent migraines and reduce the severity of migraines. This supplement also reduces inflammation and stabilizes blood flow while acting as a beta blocker. Thus, it can prevent spasms in blood vessels. Take this supplement at a dose of 50 mg and make sure it is labeled "PA (pyrrolizidine alkaloids) free."
Vitamin B2 or commonly called riboflavin, has also been known to reduce the frequency and severity of migraines. Taking 400 mg of vitamin B2 daily can reduce the frequency of migraine symptoms by as much as 50 percent and taking it when a migraine strikes can also reduce pain.
Sedar leaf, melatonin, and coenzyme Q10 may or may not help reduce the severity of migraines when they strike. But the good news is, standard doses of these supplements can help reduce the frequency of migraine attacks.
Magnesium has uncertain effects. A 500 mg magnesium supplement may help reduce the severity of migraines if the migraines are related to the menstrual cycle; other than that, its benefits are debatable.

Step 2. Make a tea with lavender or other beneficial herbs

Herbal teas can calm the body and reduce the tension that causes some or all of the migraine attacks. As a result, you will notice the migraine subsides quickly. Lavender, ginger, peppermint, and cayenne pepper can all help.

Lavender reduces inflammation of the blood vessels and is usually the most effective herbal remedy for anxiety, stress, and stress-induced migraines. In addition to drinking lavender herbal tea, you can also place a hot bag or packet of dry lavender over your eyes to relieve migraines when they start.
Ginger, peppermint, and cayenne pepper have natural pain-relieving properties. Ginger and peppermint are good for reducing nausea associated with migraines. Note that ginger can thin the blood, so it should be avoided if you are taking blood-thinning medications.
Make a migraine-repelling herbal tea by steeping a pinch of cayenne pepper, 2.5 cm of fresh ginger, and 1 tsp of dried peppermint in 500 ml of boiling water for 15 minutes.

Step 3. Consider reducing your consumption of caffeinated beverages

Caffeine is a paradox when it comes to migraines. Too much can trigger a migraine, but drinking small amounts of caffeinated drinks when a migraine strikes can help relieve the pain.

Consume small amounts of caffeinated drinks: a can of soda, a cup of coffee, a cup of tea, or a bar of chocolate will suffice. Avoid energy drinks that contain large amounts of caffeine.
It should be noted that this method usually works if the migraine was not initially triggered by caffeine.

Step 4. Massage the temples and neck

Migraine is closely related to tension. Sometimes a short, simple massage can relax muscles and blood vessels to relieve migraine symptoms.

Use the index and middle fingers of both hands to gently massage the temples, sides of the neck, and the nape of the neck. Use firm but gentle pressure in a circular motion.
To increase the effectiveness of this technique, dip your fingers in cold water before starting the massage. Cold water can constrict blood vessels, thereby slowing blood flow to the head.

Step 5. Treat mild migraines with light aerobic exercise

As long as the pain is unbearable, light aerobic exercise can improve blood circulation to other parts of the body and relieve migraines.

Aerobic exercise is worth trying when you have a migraine, which includes brisk walking, running, cycling, or swimming.
When the heart pumps, blood circulation will increase and become stable so that blood does not flow too quickly to the head.
Plus, exercise is a great way to relax and get rid of stress that may have triggered a migraine.

Part 2 of 3: Taking Drugs

Step 1. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics reduce migraine pain by reducing inflammation of the blood vessels.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs include naproxen and ibuprofen. Analgesics include aspirin and acetaminophen.
For this treatment to be effective, you must take the medication within 30 minutes of the first migraine symptoms appearing. This medicine may still work even if you wait longer than that time, but migraine attacks may last a little longer.
Do not take this medicine more than twice a week. This action can cause you to have migraines that come back after the drug wears off.

Step 2. Try an over-the-counter caffeinated pain reliever

Some nonprescription drugs contain the usual analgesics with low doses of caffeine. Caffeine narrows blood vessels and makes this drug more effective.

These drugs usually combine acetaminophen or aspirin with caffeine.
Research shows that this drug can work up to 20 minutes faster than drugs that do not contain caffeine.
As with other over-the-counter pain relievers, you should take this medication within 30 minutes of the first symptoms appearing and avoid taking this medication more than twice a week.

Step 3. Ask for a prescription for a triptan

This drug works by constricting blood vessels, thereby restricting blood flow to the head. Research and trials have shown that many migraine sufferers feel very relieved within an hour of taking the drug and the pain goes away completely in less than two hours.

Avoid taking triptans more than 17 times a month. This can cause migraines to come back because the body is used to the drug.
Note that you should not take triptans if you have a history of heart attack or stroke.
Triptans are clinically proven to be the number one most effective migraine drug.

Step 4. Ask your doctor for dihydroergotamine or ergotamine medications

These prescription drugs also constrict blood vessels in the brain. In addition to relieving pain, these medications are also known to reduce nausea and light sensitivity associated with migraines.

This medication is usually given as a nasal spray or injection.
Injections may be given as a one-time procedure, but if you have frequent migraines, your doctor may prescribe medication in the form of a nasal spray.

Part 3 of 3: Healing Through the Environment

Step 1. Turn off the light

Most migraines are triggered by sensory stimuli, such as bright lights or flashes. Calm your senses by turning off the lights and closing the curtains or moving to a dark room.

Stay in the dark room until the migraine goes away or as long as possible.
Wear sun glasses if needed. If you have to leave the house and can't get to a location that isn't very bright or there is no light, wear polarizing sun glasses to protect your eyes from the brightest part of the light spectrum. This may not be effective enough when spending a few minutes in a dark room, but it will usually help.

Step 2. Eliminate as much noise as possible

Like light, sound is another sensory stimulus known to trigger migraines. Turn off all the sounds around you, such as the radio and television, or move to a quiet, quiet place.

If you can't go into a separate room, wear noise-canceling headphones to block out outside noise.
Some people find silence to be stressful or even uncomfortable. If this is the case, turn on the white noise machine or air purifier to create a soothing sound. You can also try relaxing music, but avoid loud or upbeat songs.

Step 3. Lie down and rest

Stress and lack of sleep are other common triggers for migraine headaches. Take a few minutes to lie on your back and close your eyes when a migraine strikes.

Rest about 5 to 30 minutes to relieve migraines.
But note, some migraines can also be caused by too much sleep. If this is one of the triggers for your migraines, you should not lie down for too long.

Step 4. Take a deep breath

Deep breathing exercises can relax the body, thereby releasing tension that might trigger migraines.

Lie on your back with a pillow under your head and another pillow under your knees. The legs should be slightly bent.
Place your right hand (or dominant hand) on your upper chest and your other hand under your ribs.
Inhale slowly through your nose until you feel your stomach pushing against your left (or non-dominant) hand.
Exhale slowly through pursed lips while tightening your stomach.
Keep your right hand in the same position in this process.
Do this routine for five minutes.

Step 5. Apply a cold compress

A cold washcloth placed on a sore head can cause the blood vessels in the area to constrict, thereby slowing blood flow to the head.

Wet a soft, clean washcloth with cold water and place it on the forehead or back of the neck. Leave it for 10 to 15 minutes. Pause for 10 to 15 minutes before applying the compress again and continue in this pattern until the migraine is gone.
However, in some cases, cold temperatures can make migraines worse. If the pain increases after 5 minutes of compressing, stop immediately and try another method.

Step 6. Take a cold shower, followed by sleeping in a cool room

Stand in a cold shower with water running over your head for at least 15 minutes. Head massage when shampooing. This will reduce tension in the body while releasing heat from the scalp.

Remove excess water from hair, but keep hair damp. Don't dry your hair.
Lie down in a cool room while your hair is still damp and try to get some sleep. You can place a towel on top of the pillow if you're worried about the pillow getting wet.

Step 7. Change your diet

Often there are certain foods that can trigger migraines; triggers vary from person to person. You can find out what food triggers you have by keeping a record of the foods you ate before your migraine headache started and see if patterns develop over time. Common migraine headache trigger foods are: