The 36 million Americans who suffer from migraines know it’s not only just a headache. Sure, the intense headache may be one of the more debilitating features of a full blown migraine, but the nausea, dizziness, sensitivity to light and sounds are enough to make anyone want to hide under the covers until relief comes. After comparing notes with my fellow migraine-suffering friends, I’ve learned that many are aware of their triggers. My triggers are dairy and weather, but others may be set off by other factors like wine, chocolate, hormones, and stress.
Last month I had a migraine that took me by surprise because I had gone a few months without one. I felt it coming on from Friday night and by Saturday I had a full blown migraine. Migraines are never convenient, but thankfully my husband was home and took the kids out for the day so I can rest. I closed the blinds, took a cool shower, and laid in bed until I felt better.
Identifying triggers may be the first step to controlling migraines. Keep a log of your daily activities and diet to see if there is a pattern. Make sure to note items you think are your triggers, and speak with your doctor about how you can avoid or treat migraines. You can even create a “migraine kit” with some of your must-have migraine relievers.
Have you visited the More to Migraine site? There’s so much information about living with, preventing, and identifying migraines. Jennifer Morrison will even be featured on More to Migraine. In case you don’t know her by her real name, her screen name is Emma Swan from Once Upon a Time. She’s also a migraine sufferer and will be sharing her experiences. on the More to Migraine site and Facebook page.
