A Migraine is a headache that causes severe throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation on one or both sides of the head. Migraines are quite common and can greatly disrupt your life. People who get Migraines tend to experience a variety of symptoms of Migraines. It is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. The severity of Migraine attacks can vary from person to person. Some individuals experience Migraine episodes that last only for hours, while others can experience symptoms for multiple days. 

The variation in severity and symptoms of Migraines also means there are many different Migraine treatment options, like Rizatriptan UK which is easily available on IqDoctor. However, Migraine medication treatments vary in effectiveness, and you will be better served through more personalized solutions. A lot of trial and error can go into figuring out what works best for you. The ideal place to start is with Migraine treatment at home and making your immediate surroundings Migraine-Free Zones. So, in this blog article, we will guide you through the steps you can take at home to lower your chances of getting a Migraine. 

How Do Migraines Work 

To understand the best way to avoid Migraines and minimize symptoms, we need to understand how Migraines work. These impairing headaches occur in four stages: prodrome, aura, attack and post-drome. Although not everyone who has Migraines goes through the same stages, most people do.

Prodrome

These symptoms are reported one or two days before a Migraine. They are a kind of warning sign of an oncoming episode of Migraines. The severity of these initial symptoms may dictate how extreme your Migraine may be. Prodrome symptoms include: 

• Constipation
• Mood changes, from depression to euphoria
• Food cravings
• Neck stiffness
• Increased urination
• Fluid retention
• Frequent yawning

Aura

Auras are sensory disturbances which usually occur before or during Migraines. These disturbances are only temporary and are primarily visual in nature. Each of the following aura symptoms usually begins gradually, builds up over several minutes, and can last up to 60 minutes.

• Seeing various shapes, bright spots or flashes of light
• Temporary Loss in Vision
• Prickling sensations in an arm or leg
• Weakness or numbness in the face or one side of the body
• Difficulty speaking

Attack

A Migraine itself usually lasts from 4 to 72 hours if left untreated. How often these occur, how severe they are and how long an episode lasts varies a lot from person to person. Little is known about why we find such dramatic variations in symptoms and severeness. It may be due to genetics or even individual diet choices. 

During a Migraine, individuals experience: 

• Throbbing or pulsing pain, usually on one or both sides of the head
• Sensitivity to light, sound, and sometimes smell and touch
• Nausea 
• Vomiting

Post-dome

Once a Migraine episode has subsided, people report experiencing some post-dome symptoms. People have reported feeling drained, confused and washed out. These feelings can last for up to a day. Some people even report feeling elated.

Now that we have understood the symptoms of Migraines, we can move on to Migraine treatment. 

Migraine Proofing Your House 

Once you have understood your Migraine triggers and what actions alleviate your symptoms, you can make your home a Migraine-Free zone. Below are some steps you can take to minimize the chances of experiencing a Migraine episode or lessen the symptoms’ severity. 

Keep the Bedroom for Sleeping 

Everything in your bedroom should serve one purpose only, and that is to help you fall asleep faster and provide quality sleep. Studies have found a link between people suffering from sleep disorders and Migraine episodes. You should aim to get at least 7-8 hours of undisturbed sleep every night.  Some steps you can take to make your bedroom a sleep heave are: 

• Do not have any electronic devices such as TVs in your room
• Have a comfortable mattress
• Set the room temperature to 60-67 degrees
• Use blackout curtains, eye shades or earplugs when needed 

Dim The Lights 

Bright lights are a trigger for most Migraines. Even bright and flashing lights can be incredibly uncomfortable and painful during an episode. An increase in light exposure can also prolong the Migraine itself. 

• Use thick curtains to block out sunlight from outside
• Install and use light dimmers
• Avoid blue light from bright computer screens and TV
• Install soft light bulbs in your bedroom 

Quiet Down

Sensory overload comes from not only light but also sound. Loud noises can also trigger and worsen Migraines for a lot of people. Having thick curtains and carpets is one way to absorb sound. Investing in soundproof windows is also an intelligent choice. If nothing else can be done, you can always purchase noise-cancelling headphones. 

Strong Odors

For many people who suffer from Migraines, strong odors can also trigger an episode. This does not necessarily have to be unpleasant scents such as cigarette smoke or body odor. Any strongly scented products such as perfume or cleaning materials can be a trigger. The best way to avoid these is to use fragrance-free products in your room. Alternatively, you can drown out triggering scents with ones you like by using scented candles or even an air filter. 

Understanding the symptoms and causes of Migraine can go a long way toward minimizing Migraine episodes and can help you better understand which Migraine treatment works for you. However, if you think you suffer from extreme Migraine, it is best to visit your Doctor. They will guide you on a treatment plan and even prescribe you medication.