Nearly every person has had a headache and some, many times. If the headache is minor, it is considered a nuisance that can easily be relieved using coffee, rest, or over-the-counter medication. But if the headache is severe, it becomes a migraine and could be a sign of a more serious problem such as tumor or stroke. So, when should you get worried, what should you do?
What Causes Migraines?
Migraines are more severe than headaches and happen 2-3 times in women compared to men. But if you are a man suffering from migraines, especially between 40 years and 84 years, you need to be more worried because they can be associated with heart attacks.
Migraines are believed to be caused by nerve cell activities and change of blood flow in the head. Here are the main triggers of migraines:
- Emotional stress.
- Lack of sleep.
- Weather changes such as rise in heat.
- Sensory triggers such as loud noises.
- Magnesium deficiency.
- Dietary triggers such as increase of decrease in caffeine.
When to Get Worried about Migraine
Knowing your migraine symptoms, what is normal, and when to urgently seek help, is very important for personal health. If migraines come with these symptoms, you need to get worried and seek urgent help:
- Dizziness and sudden loss of balance.
- Seizures and trouble with speech.
- Blurry vision.
- Shortness of breath and fever.
- Personality changes.
- Stiffness of neck.
Top Remedies for Severe Migraines
If your migraine is severe and comes with the symptoms we have outlined above, there are a number of therapies you can use to address it. Here are the top options:
- Acupressure
Acupressure is the therapy of applying pressure using hands and fingers to a specific part of the body to relieve pain. In one of the studies done in 2014, acupressure was found to be a credible alternative medicine method for relieving chronic headaches and migraines.
- Increase Magnesium Intake
Lack of enough magnesium in the body has been linked to migraines. Therefore, you should increase magnesium oxide in the food to address migraines. Some good sources of magnesium include almonds, oatmeal, sunflower seeds, eggs, and milk.
- CBD for Migraines
For thousands of years, cannabis was used for headache treatment before it was ruled illegal. However, CBD (cannabidiol) from hemp plants has been demonstrated to reduce inflammation and pain in arthritis. It was also demonstrated to have similar calming effect with migraines.
A study done by Pharmacotherapy in 2016 on the effects of medical marijuana in an adult population established that it decreased migraine significantly. Another study done earlier in 2009 confirmed that CBD can help to reduce pain for people who have been taking opioids.
At this point, you might ask: is CBD legal? Yes, in most states. In 2018, the passing of Hemp Bill into law allowed authorized traders and dealers to sell CBD products that have 0.3 or less THC.
- Consider Yoga
Yoga uses meditation, breathing and body posture to enhance a person’s health. Studies have demonstrated that using the right yoga frequently can help to reduce anxiety, improve muscular health, and release tension in most migraine-trigger areas.
When you notice that migraine has become so severe or it is accompanied by symptoms such as blurry vision and seizures, consider that as a red line. You need to get the right therapy. The above four methods are our top recommendations. They are natural and do not risk loading your body with organic toxins. Remember that if symptoms persist, you should seek medical help.
