June is National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month

No one enjoys a headache. Those feelings of pain and pressure can come on suddenly and out of nowhere, turning a nice day into a discomforting nightmare. And while headaches are just a minor inconvenience for some people, they can be seriously debilitating for those that experience chronic headaches or migraines. In honor of National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month this June, the healthcare providers here at Abraham Family Medicine wanted to provide some simple tips to help prevent headaches and migraines.

While it may not be possible to completely solve the headache problem for some people, we have found that avoiding migraine triggers and practicing certain healthy lifestyle habits can help reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches. And in our experience of treating patients who experience chronic headaches, any help is more than welcome.

• Take note of your headache triggers. Certain foods, medications, physical activities, and lifestyle habits like when you go to bed can all play a part in causing a headache or migraine. The first step in avoiding these triggers is recognizing them.

 

• Try to take medicine before the headache gets too bad. Like any other medical condition or illness, the headaches are more easily treated in their earliest stages. If you feel a headache or migraine coming on, we recommend using over-the-counter medicine like acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve) to most patients (if appropriate) to try to stop their headache before it worsens. However, it’s important to speak with your healthcare provider before starting any medicine regimen to make sure they can safely start a new medication.

 

• Keep a consistent sleep schedule. Sleep is a critical tool in the fight against headaches and migraines. This may mean avoiding mid-day naps if you think they will affect your body’s ability to get to sleep come bedtime. Sticking to a consistent meal schedule is also highly recommended.

 

• Try to minimize your stress. We know this is easier said than done, but stress is a major headache trigger. Practicing relaxation techniques meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises can help reduce levels of stress and fight off potential migraines.

 

• Make sure to stay hydrated. In many cases, headaches are caused by dehydration. Many people reach the end of the day and realize that they haven’t drunk nearly enough water, but by then they have a raging headache and it is too late. Staying thoroughly hydrated throughout the day can help prevent this.

 

• Give yourself a break from screen time. Too many hours a day looking at a phone, computer, or TV can also lead to potential headaches. Giving your eyes and head a break can be highly beneficial for many people.

While it’s true that there are more treatment options for headaches and migraines available than ever before, in our experience it is always easier to prevent a headache than it is to get rid of one. We hope our readers found these tips beneficial. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, Lilburn and Loganville.