This week is Migraine Awareness Week. A migraine is usually classified as a severe headache which is predominantly experienced as a throbbing pain at the front or side of the head. It may be accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and increased sensitivity to light or sound. A migraine can be debilitating and last for multiple days at a time. Most regular migraine sufferers have to deal with intense, throbbing headaches that can last for days at a time.Migraine is a common health condition, affecting around one in every five women and around one in every 15 men. They often begin in early adulthood. Some people have migraines frequently, up to several times a week. Other people only have a migraine occasionally. It is possible for years to pass between migraine attacks. Here is a list of my top tips for migraine sufferers:
Top Tips for migraine sufferers:
- Sleep adequately (7-8 hours per day)
- Avoid physical or mental fatigue
- Avoid alcohol (especially red wine)
- Avoid caffeine
- Eliminate foods that trigger migraines: dairy, chocolate, spices, wheat and corn
- Try acupuncture
Acupuncture has been used to treat migraines for thousands of years. Migraines respond well to acupuncture treatment – lessening the intensity and frequency of these intense, painful headaches. The treatment aims at increasing blood flow to the lower body to there is no need to apply needles to the head itself.