If you suffer from migraine headaches, they will definitely have an impact on your life. But that doesn’t mean they have to control your life. You still have the power to live the life you want, if you seize control back from your migraines.
Here are some strategies that help migraine sufferers get control over their pain and live a better life.
Know Your Triggers
Knowledge is power. If you know what tends to trigger your migraines, you can control them. Although it’s probably impossible to completely stop your migraines, you can make them less frequent, and often anticipate and plan for them when they do occur.
If you don’t yet know your triggers, a headache journal can help you track them down.
Eat and Drink Well
Foods can be migraine triggers, so it’s important to identify which ones will cause your migraines and avoid them. But there are also lots of great foods that can help prevent migraines. Foods rich in magnesium, vitamin B2, and omega-3 fatty acids have all been linked to a reduction in migraines.
Excessive alcohol and caffeine consumption can also lead to migraines. Moderation is the key to enjoying these treats. Also, remember to stay hydrated. Dehydration is a common migraine trigger.
Control Stress
For many people, stress is the biggest migraine trigger of all. Try to cut down on stress in your life. Get more organized, let yourself delegate tasks when you are overwhelmed, and if it’s all just too much, try to give up any voluntary commitments you have made that contribute to your stress.
Prioritize You
When you are having migraine attacks and have to spend so much time resting and recovering, it might feel like there isn’t any time to spare on doing things that you actually enjoy, especially when you have a family that demands your time.
But remember: you need to have time for you, and that means time doing something other than being immobilized in a dark room from pain. Make sure you schedule in some personal time that is also pain free.
Take Control of Your Treatment
Between a third and a half of all migraine sufferers are unhappy with their doctor, their treatment, or both. Many people are resigned to living with a less than optimal situation because they don’t think it can get any better.
But it can get better. The truth is that your doctor is likely happy to talk to you about what isn’t working and try new things. Your doctor should also be open to adding more members to your migraine team. A migraine is a multifaceted illness, and it often benefits from a multidisciplinary approach. If you haven’t been getting good results from your migraine treatment and you are also experiencing symptoms like jaw pain, jaw sounds, tinnitus, and others, it’s possible that TMJ may be partly responsible for your migraines, and a dentist may help.
If you would like to learn how a dentist can help with your TMJ in Denver, please call (303) 691-0267 for an appointment at the TMJ Therapy and Sleep Center of Colorado.
