Migraines are the absolute worst, trust me, I know.
Have you ever had one? If so, you’re going to want to know how to get rid of a migraine headache.
How to Get Rid of a Migraine?
My strategies for getting rid of a migraine range from natural to conventional and everything in between. Read on to learn more!
Migraine Definition
A migraine is not just any old headache.
According to my friend and colleague, Dr. Robert Rountree, a migraine is typically caused by disturbances to the blood vessels in the head.
What is a Migraine Headache?
Migraine headaches are known to recur periodically and are characterized by severe pain, often concentrated on one side of the head.
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Although they are known to be aggravated by light, I’ve experienced migraines that were triggered by a chemical smell or fragrance.
Difference Between Migraine and Headache?
If you’re wondering what is the difference between a migraine and headache it’s pretty simple.
Headaches are caused by muscle tension in the head, while migraines are related to vasoconstriction or lack thereof which can produce a swelling of the blood vessels in the head.
Migraine Piercing
When I’ve had migraines in the past it felt like my brain could not fit inside my skull, the pain was incredibly intense and piercing.
Part of this collection of migraine symptoms was that it felt like I had a nail in my head, or a headache in my eye, or a severe headache on my forehead.
I’ve suffered headaches so intense that sometime I was unable to sleep.
Migraine and Nausea
When migraines are super intense the pain can be nauseating.
Piercing headache eye pain is enough to not just make you nauseated, but to throw up. Trust me, it used to get this bad.
Migraine Headache Symptoms
The symptoms of migraine headaches include but are not limited to:
- Severe Pain
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Vision Disturbances
- Aura
- Piercing Sensation in Head
Dietary Migraine Causes
There are a number of things that can cause migraines including dietary items like MSG, chocolate, cheese, and more.
I did not find that eliminating chocolate and cheese prevented migraines, but avoiding MSG has been helpful.
Here are some other items thought to cause intensely painful headaches:
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Food Allergies
- Nutritional Deficiencies
Migraine Triggers
In addition to the above dietary causes, some additional headache and migraine triggers include:
- Stress
- Hormonal Shifts
- Lack of Sleep
- Chemical Allergies
- Weather Changes
- Dehydration / Over-Hydration
- Constipation
- Keto Flu
Migraines with Aura?
If you’re wondering what is a migraine aura I’m here to help.
According to the American Migraine Foundation, some people experience an aura prior to a migraine. An aura essentially consists of transient sensory changes that take place right before the pain starts.
Most frequently this consists of obstructive visual changes that last up to one hour.
The American Migraine Foundation also states that around 75% of migraine patients do not experience auras.1
Headache on Back of Head
Typically a headache that is on the back of the head is a tension headache, not a migraine.
Tension headaches consist of dull pain, tightness, or pressure around the forehead as well as tension around the occipital ridge, or back of the head.
Headache Kids
I started getting migraines when I was a child and my parents gave me baby aspirin quite often back then.
Later, in my teen years, I graduated to frequent handfuls of aspirin which may have lead to the deterioration of my gut lining and the eventual onset of Celiac Disease.
Don’t make this mistake. You can get to the root cause of recurrent headaches by seeing a conventional physician or Functional Medicine Doctor.
Headache Vitamin D Deficiency
A great example of getting to the root cause of migraines occurred with one of the boys’ friends back in grade school.
Finn suffered severe life-altering headaches at age ten.
His mother took him to his pediatrician who found that his vitamin D levels had bottomed out. He was suffering from a severe vitamin D deficiency.
Vitamin D Low Symptoms
While the optimal range for vitamin D is 30-100ng/mL, his level was 13.
Finn was put on a weekly high dose of vitamin D by his physician and his migraines stopped occurring altogether.
Migraine Cure
Curing an intense headache in process is not easy. I know this from experience. Here are a few things that may work if you’re in the middle of an episode.
- Foam Roller -roll out neck muscles to relieve pressure in the head
- Cold Packs -to place on your neck and head
- Hydration -drink water, but hydrate properly
- Avoid Hyponatremia -water without electrolytes may worsen symptoms
- Electrolytes -to alleviate symptoms of migraine including pain
- Aspercreme -topical drug offering pain relief; bypassing gut, spares gut lining
- Cannabis -a potential solution for severe headaches
- Tylenol -is a good option if nausea is not present
- Imitrex -prescription nasal spray to nip episodes in the bud
Drug for Migraines
There are a number of standard options for drug treatment of severe headaches.
First, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can be a good option. This includes Tylenol, Advil, Alleve, and the like.
Prescription Medication for Migraines
If you are too nauseous to keep down a pill (this has happened to me) you may need a prescription for Imitrex, a nasal spray that treats this condition.
I have not tried it so not sure how effective it is, but I’ve heard fantastic things about it from friends.
Migraine Prevention
So, it may seem backward to start with migraine cures, and then move on to prevention, but if you’ve ever had a really bad headache you know the priorities and what order they come in.
The solutions for migraine prevention range from dietary changes to lifestyle adjustments as well as strategies to reduce toxic body burden:
- Eliminate Caffeine
- Use Clean Makeup
- Eliminate Toxins from Personal Care Products
- Hydrate with Electrolytes
- CoQ10
I have seen a massive reduction in migraines since I began using LMNT electrolytes.
I was suffering from intense headaches often and part of the reason was that I was drinking too much water thereby diluting the electrolyte balance our bodies require to properly function.
By the way, there is a word for over-hydrating and it is hyponatremia.
Drinking electrolytes with your water is great because it will both prevent and relieve migraines.
Meaning of Hydration
According to Tyler Cartwright, “hydration is understood to be a balance between fluid volume and the amount of electrolytes that exist in that fluid volume.”
It’s not just water but what comes with it!
He goes on to state that one of the biggest struggles we have now with our overall health, not just headaches, is not learning but unlearning.
That’s because we need to understand that electrolytes like salt, magnesium, and potassium are absolutely critical to function properly.
Sugar and Headaches
At the same time, we must hydrate properly and avoid swimming in the sea of sugar we are offered as a fake fix.
I also found that I do not get as many headaches when I follow a Low-Carb Diet.
Electrolytes Imbalance Symptoms
One of the main issues with an electrolyte imbalance is migraine headaches. As an aside, constipation is another issue with this.
Headache Dehydration
Electrolytes keep me properly hydrated and also prevent the water I drink from passing right through me.
I’ve stopped running to the bathroom all the time to urinate and my cells are actually absorbing the liquid I consume!
Keto Flu
For those on a Keto Diet, you may have heard about or have experienced the dreaded Keto Flu which often includes severe headaches. LMNT Electrolytes were a crucial component for me in reducing Keto Flu symptoms.
To learn more see How to Kick the Keto Flu.
Why Does My Head Hurt Everyday
Finally, have you ever gone through a funk where your head hurt every day? Or maybe you thought, “why does my head hurt when I wake up?
I’ve gone through periods where this happened to me and it was awful.
There were two things that helped.
The first? Electrolytes! What a difference.
The second, it’s gonna sound strange but, it’s true, DNRS. If you can’t get rid of chronic headaches, check out the book, Wired for Healing.
Elana’s Migraine Cures
Will these tips cure every single intense headache? Of course not, I wish life were only that simple!
But, with these strategies ranging from natural (hydration and foam rollers) to medication, you’ll have many tools in your migraine-preventing toolbox.
You’ll also have strategies for getting yourself out of misery if you’re in the middle of a migraine attack.
Your Migraine Cures
What are your go-to tips for preventing and curing a migraine? Let’s stop the headaches and spread the love!
Marie Johnston says
Hi Elana,
I love your cookbooks! I eat Paleo and am wondering how often you sue the electrolyte drinks? 1 per day? I just ordered the variety pack to give them a try.
Elana says
Marie, I started with 1/2 pack a day. I now drink a quart of warm water in the morning with a full pack of the plain electrolyte, then in the afternoon have a pack of orange or raspberry with refreshing cold water –it’s quite delicious and I feel more hydrated and energetic :-)
Nancy says
Thanks for this extensive review of ideas. I’m now 71 and have been suffering from migraines since I was 15. There was a strong correlation to my periods when I was younger but obviously that is no longer an issue. In my younger years, I used to take large amounts of acetaminophen and ibuprofen, frequently at the same time. Obviously not a good idea but I was desperate. I now eat a gluten-free, dairy-free, organic diet but still get occasional migraines. I have found that a strong cup of ginger tea made with freshly grated ginger works quite well to resolve the pain. I have also used 1/4 tsp. ginger powder to a cup of hot water will work. Hope this suggestion might help someone else.
Elana says
Nancy, you’re welcome! And thanks a million for the tips :-)
Jane says
Thank you for this awareness. Just a note to be careful with the word “cure.” Around 80% of migraines have no known cause or cure, but with lifestyle changes, they can be managed and prevented. However, if someone does all of the right things and still gets a migraine, it could lead to a cycle of self-blame, like “What did I do wrong this time?” That guilt cycle itself is a migraine trigger and common in those who suffer. In addition, this can lead to more hyper-focusing on every single thing one could “do wrong” during the day, which continues the cycle. of worry and blame. Having migraines my entire life, I now work with migraine sufferers and breaking this cycle is the first thing we focus on. For me, EEG and neurofeedback was successful in almost eliminating *almost* all of my migraines, however I still get some (often curious ones unexplained by the usual triggers), and know that migraines are a disease and I therefore, will always have them, so an occasional “slip” is not a failure on my part and treating myself with compassion instead of blame will help the migraine go away faster. Neurofeedback won’t work for everyone, but anyone interested should know it’s a non-invasive way safe procedure to try, and leads to lasting change (versus the daily trigger management). BCIA is the organization that board certifies providers, and you can search for one in your area. (bcia.org)
Elana says
Thanks Jane! I think you would really enjoy the book I link to in this post :-)
Deb Weber says
I recently bought a book called Heal Your Headache, the 1-2-3 program for taking charge of your pain by David Buchholz, MD. It talks about dietary triggers, some of which I never heard of before plus having a low threshold for migraine sufferers and what that really means. Reading this really clarified a lot for me. The last pages have menus, recipes for relief and dietary tips. I highly recommend to anyone suffering from migraines.
Elana says
Thanks Deb!
Diane says
I wanted to get in on the electrolyte part of the discussion. I don’t get migraines (knock on wood); however, I have friends who do. For about the last 4 years, I have been making Switchel. I found several recipes online. Mine is from Wellness Mama.
1 gallon filtered water
2 tsp ginger
4 Tblsp apple cider vinegar
6 Tblsp raw honey
Lime zest from 1 lime
Lime juice from 1 lime
Mix all ingredients and ferment at least 24 hours in fridge
It’s like Gatorade without the Gatorade!
Diane
Elana says
Thanks Diane, this looks great! I might try to make without the honey as my body cannot tolerate straight carbs :-)
Leslie says
For years I have used an old medieval remedy for barometric pressure-induced migraines – feverfew (known also Tanacetum Parthenium). I have found only two formats helpful – the actual leaf of the plant (pulled off and chewed), or a tincture from which drops are placed directly under the tongue and held there for a while, much as you would nitro tablets, to allow immediate and direct absorption. (The powder tablets are quite useless). If I take the tincture immediately upon feeling symptoms, it stops my headache in its tracks. If I awake with a migraine, taking the tincture sharply reduces the pain level, but cannot completely stop the symptoms. For me it’s a very cost-effective, non-invasive and focused way to deal with migraines
Elana says
Leslie, yes that was recommended to me decades ago by an acupuncturist. It did not work for me, but is a well known and respected remedy :-)
Cheryl says
Please stop calling migraine,headaches. Headaches are different to migraine as any migraineur will tell you. Use the words migraine or migraine attack
Also,migraine is almost impossible to cure but can be managed ,to varying degrees ,through a variety of means. You mention to avoid caffeine,which I agree for some is a trigger,however for many more sufferers, caffeine is used successfully as a part of a migraine treatment regime.
Elana says
Cheryl, thanks for your comment! Did you read the section called “Difference Between Migraine and Headache,” agree, they are different things :-)
Lynn Woodward says
BTW, the reference to DNR, Annie Hopper’s work, the book, the workshops (when we can do that again!) is also applicable, IF the symptom is related to lymbic-system brain-damage (and that is a far-reaching definition; it’s not just concussion). I have a friend who suffered from MCS intensely for 10 years after a back surgery, and committed herself to DNR, for 6 months, and has been symptom-free for more than 5 years now. We’re just starting to understand neuroplasticity, trauma and healing in new brilliant ways. Annie’s method, which she developed when she had MCS and knew as a doctor herself how to research the causes and solutions, is legit and powerful for many types of trauma.
Thank you, Elana, for bringing this up, and for all you experiments in the kitchen! I use many of your recipes to help me eat in a way that feels best for my body: dairy-free, sugar-free and few grains.
Healing and living fully to all!
Elana says
Thanks Lynn!
Lynn Woodward says
I got migraines from age 22 into my 40s. Regular headaches almost daily before that, even as a child. The doctors just said, “take this medicine when you get a migraine.” Midrin gave me such a fast heartbeat that I thought I was dying. So I ended up taking darvocet 2-8 times a month and simply killing the pain for years.
Finally, I found relief: Dr Jared Zeff, in Vancouver WA, did extensive history-taking and did some blood tests on me, and discovered that for me, it was dairy. So I quit eating dairy, and my migraines stopped; I had 3 more, only about 45 minutes each in the 1.5 years after I quit eating dairy. No more since. Zeff teaches also, so you may find a doctor in your area who knows Zeff’s methods.
Many people think about what to add, what to do when a symptom grabs them. (I thought it was perfume that caused my migraines, but have since realized that fragrances/chemicals are overloading triggers, not the cause. Now fragrances just make me mad, but don’t give me migraines.) Dr. Zeff said, let’s look for the cause and eliminate that. This makes more sense to me. I can still watch others eat cheese at every meal and thank Zeff that he figured that out for me so I can live pain-free.
Elana says
Lynn, I love that you refer to fragrance/chemicals as “overloading triggers,” that is brilliant!
Kitty says
I never had migraines until aspartame came on the market. Used to think they were headaches. NOT. It was awful but I lived with it. A few years later I was seeing a Naturopath for another issue. As part of the protocol he advised CoQ10 and within about 3 months I realized I did not have any migraines. Since that was the only new thing I was taking I looked online. I found information regarding using CoQ10 which your body naturally makes but it declines with age. It is one of a number of non-drug nutritional supplements found to be effective in preventing migraines. I haven’t had a migraine in more than 10yrs