Tuesday, January 26, 2010

How To Get Rid Of A Migraine Headache Naturally: Lifestyle Changes

By Porter Smith

If you want relief without the troublesome and sometimes dangerous chemicals found in prescription migraine medications, you can learn how to get rid of a migraine headache naturally. There are few drugs that have no side effects. Sometimes migraine treatments give relief for a while, but then can cause the migraine to return with a vengeance.

Lifestyle changes are a good idea for overall good health, but they may also hold out promise for migraine sufferers. Things like weight control, exercise and drinking plenty of water have all been shown to improve resistance to migraines and improve the body's ability to deal with the migraine attack when it arrives.

If you suffer from migraine headaches, you may want to try adding more foods that are high in fiber to your diet. Avoid foods that contain preservatives and try fresh fruits and vegetables instead. You may find that foods such as cheese will trigger migraine symptoms. Generally, foods that contain tyramine or tannin are trigger foods in many sufferers.

There are several herbs which have long been identified as helpful in treating migraines. Feverfew is a plant that has been researched and is popular in treating headaches. You can also try butterbur, valerian, chamomile, willow, cayenne, ginko, passionflower and peppermint. Ginger helps to fight nausea associated with migraines.

Hydrotherapy treatments are helpful in many diseases and conditions. Putting the hands in hot water or placing a hot water bottle on the abdomen and a cold pack on the head seems to help others. Alternating heat and cold is helpful if the sufferer is not too incapacitated to use these methods.

Any help for migraine sufferers is seen as positive, especially if you can learn how to get rid of a migraine headache naturally. Studies of the effects and efficacy of natural remedies are constantly being completed. Following the above general and specific principles may help reduce your migraine attacks.

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