Tips on how to stay migraine free during the holidays

Published on

December 1, 10:17 PM

Healthy Travel Examiner

Cheryl Murphy

stressed

wikimedia commons/girlhealth.org

Holidays should be joyful. It is a special time to engage in family gatherings, festivities surround us all and we are endowed with gifts, good food and company. So why, when all is well, we end up with horrific headaches throughout this happy season of joy?

The migraine headache is, for one, “trigger happy”. In other words, certain stimuli will bring it on quickly. Holidays are full of sleepless nights, alcohol, stress, chocolate and always add hormonal changes into the mix for women. Our bodies tire from routine and schedule changes. We may be up later due to shopping or parties. Our daily diet gets pushed aside. During the “happiest time of the year,” it is a given that migraines will haunt this time of year if you are one to get them. Keep in mind, when such disruptions occur, not only will the migraine sufferer be in pain, but other family members suffer as well. There is a transfer of responsibilities coupled with time off work so the ailment affects all family members involved.

There are different kinds of headaches but most begin with a throbbing on one side of the head. Gradually, the pain makes its way over to the other side affecting the entire head and making its way down to the neck and shoulders. Nausea can set in along with sensitivity to light and touch.

No one really understands why some suffer from migraines and others do not. Blood sugar levels ma have something to do with it as tests have shown that the lower the blood sugar, the more severe the pain may be. Along with stress, food and chemical intolerance may be the culprits.

There are some healing options for these periodic disruptions:

Eliminating certain foods in the diet, sometimes called the oligoantigenic diet can make a difference. Begin by eliminating one food a week. It is best to work with a nutritionist or a healthcare practitioner before the headaches come around. Getting rid of any sugar might be the first food item out of the diet.
A low tyramine diet can also be helpful. Tyramine is an amino acid and can be found in canned meat and fish, tomatoes, wine, yeast or dairy.
Stay clear away from fast food, greasy and fried foods, and red meats all that can be acid forming.
Detoxing the body is helpful and must be done with a healthcare practitioner. Metal and mercury buildup is common and can provoke headaches.
Giving up aspartame found in sugar free products sometimes help migraine sufferers.
Add high quality fish oil to the diet.
Magnesium relaxes the neck and shoulder muscles.
Water amount should be increased.
Feverfew is an herb from the sunflower plant that helps reduce muscle spasms and prevents constriction of blood vessels.
Acupuncture, massages and acupressure all relieve some pain.
Essential oils are somewhat effective if properly used as well is plenty of sleep.

Once the headache comes on, most feel the only solution is strong drugs so that it why it is crucial that migraine sufferers initiate the healing before the headache occurs.

Over 20 million people suffer during the holiday season with headaches and over 13 billion is spent on treatment trying to cure the disruption.

Time is too valuable and time with family should be quality and joy. Put migraines away for the season and let the good times begin.

Sources:

Dean, Carolyn, M.D., N.D., Magnesium Miracle; Ballantine Books, 2007

Pitchford Paul, healing with Whole Foods; North Atlantic Books, 2003

For more articles, click here.

EFT Life Coach
Kathryn Karjala
Phone: 406-585-0024
Email Me