Dahlia Breeze

If you’ve had a migraine you know there isn’t much you can do once it starts. But prevention can really make a difference and hopefully you can find a natural remedy before resorting to a prescription.
Scientists and doctors have been studying migraines for decades. They have found that there can be several causes of migraines:

• Food allergies
• Alcohol
• Stress
• Birth control
• Hormonal changes
• Weather changes

The list seems to go on but the key is how these things change the chemical balance in your body. They can cause your body to release various chemicals including, histamine and serotonin, which intern, causes an imbalance in the way your blood vessels dilate. The result can be a migraine.

Where to begin:

Trial and error.

Food allergies tend to be the main culprit for most common migraines. Foods such as red wine, aged cheese and beer can cause your blood vessels to expand, possibly resulting in a migraine.

Try starting a food diary and keep track of the foods and drinks you consume along with the frequency of your migraines. Food additives can also cause migraines in sensitive individuals, so keep that in mind when recording your diet in your food diary.
Some foods to look out for:

• Red wine (more so than white due to red wine having a higher concentration of histamine.)
• White wine
• Beer
• Aged cheese
• Canned figs
• Chicken liver
• Chocolate
• Pickled fish
• Brewer’s yeast

These are the most common foods for migraines however, your body maybe different. The best way is to keep an accurate food diary, eat a healthy, well balanced diet, eat small portions every few hours, avoid sugar and refined carbohydrates and focus on whole grains, fresh fruit and vegetables.

Next steps

Relax

For most of us, learning to decompress can be a challenge. But learning to control your mind and stress levels can be rewarding and beneficial to your health.
What do you do to relax and get away from the day-to-day?
Some of the most common ways to relax:

• Reading
• Painting
• Writing
• Taking a bath
• Listening to music
• Yoga
• Meditation
• Going to a spa

These all work just fine but for me the challenge is turning off my brain. If I have a pressing issue like a deadline or a new project idea my thoughts will keep me up all night.
I need more of a distraction or different ideas to relax and just let go.
What works for me

• Video games – I’m a self proclaimed computer geek so video games are an easy way for me to enter a different world, one where my real world can’t touch me, at least for a little while.
• Getting out in nature – This one has the added advantage of relatively no technology; no cell phones, no computer, no email. Even a walk with my dogs can relieve the stress of the day.
• Talking to friends and family – Sometimes all you need is a great conversation to get those nagging thoughts out of your mind.
• Write it down – I keep a little notebook by my bed with a pen for those “wake you up out of a dead sleep great ideas”. Those ideas that just don’t let you fall back to sleep. A quick jot in my notebook seems to work well.

It’s important to find what works for you. Relaxing usually isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” kind of deal.

Finally

Natural Dietary Supplements

Coenzyme Q10
Co – Q10 is a compound made naturally by your body and helps turn food into energy. Impaired energy production can set the stage for a migraine. Co – Q10 can boost energy production and help prevent a migraine. Coenzyme Q10is sold as a dietary supplement and can be purchased online or in a dietary supplements store. Be prepared for a hefty price however, Co – Q10 is not cheap. Expect to pay between $50 and $100 per month.

Feverfew
Feverfew, a plant in the sunflower family, grows throughout Europe, North America and Australia. It’s extract, derived from the dried leaves of the plant, can help prevent migraines. Feverfew can reduce the frequency and severity of migraine attacks however, it is not useful during a migraine.

Magnesium
Magnesium, a mineral, plays an essential role in your body. It helps with building strong bones, clotting blood, maintaining healthy cells, and relaxing muscles. It also can help with increasing energy production, similar to Co – Q10, and help migraine attacks. Magnesium as a supplement, it is recommended that 300 milligrams per day for adult women is best. But there are several magnesium rich foods that you can use to supplement your diet.
Magnesium rich foods

• Kelp
• Raw Almonds
• Cashews
• Brazil Nuts
• Peanuts
• Brown Rice
• Apricots
• Avocado

Sometimes a natural remedy can be more effective and a healthier solution than a prescription. For myself, taking the time to relax and eating raw almonds seem to help with preventing any migraines. Hopefully, the answer for you can be found in this article.
Resources
Online

• Mayo Clinic
• University of Maryland Medical Center
• Oregon State

Print

• The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods by Michael Murray, N.D.

* The information in this article is not intended as medical advice and should not replace the advice of your physician.

I’m not a doctor, nor do I claim to be one. As I said above, I am a computer geek, one that loves information and helping others. If this article has helped you, please leave a comment and tell us about it.

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