The Natural Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence estimates that there are 190,000 migraine attacks experienced every single day in the UK. 6 million people are said to suffer from regular migraines with the majority of these being women.
For some people, these painful and debilitating headaches can happen up to several times a week and prevent them from living life to the fullest. Prescription Triptans are the most common treatment, acting to block the pain pathways in the brain.
However, for some of us - especially those interested in holistic health - seeking a natural way to manage migraines can be life-changing. So, can you manage migraines naturally? And, if so, how?
We don’t know 100% why some people have migraines and others don’t. They are believed to be linked to abnormal brain activity that throws off the natural (and normal) flow of our nerve signals and chemicals. The triggers for migraines differ from person to person - some people find that migraines increase in frequency during times of extreme stress while others may find that certain foods can kick them off.
The best way to determine your individual triggers is to keep a diary to track when and why you may experience them. Once you know these, it becomes easier to manage migraines.
However, for some, no matter how careful you are with your emotions or your lifestyle, having an appropriate and effective treatment on hand is the best form of defence.
Thankfully, there has been plenty of research alongside trial and error to work out how to naturally treat migraines. Here are 3 of the most common ways to bring holistic methods into your life:
Research has shown that some migraines are linked to increased anxiety and feelings of stress. Yoga uses a blend of mindfulness and deep breathing techniques that are believed to help alleviate these elevated feelings and help to release tension during migraines.
A magnesium deficiency is also believed to cause both headaches and migraines. You can take this as a supplement - which is thought to help with visual migraines (also known as migraines with aura). But, you can also increase the amount of magnesium in your diet by eating foods such as almonds, brazil nuts and cashews.
75% of migraine sufferers note dehydration as being a key trigger for their migraines. The idea here is that the brain can temporarily contract due to fluid loss, causing pain and increasing the possibility of developing headaches and more.
This makes consuming enough water throughout the day even more important. The Eatwell Guide, here in the UK, recommends that adults drink 6-8 glasses of fluid a day.
Finding ways to tackle common health ailments with healthy alternatives is what we specialise in here at Natural Health for Life.
In our online store, you’ll find a host of holistic snacks and remedies. And, if you have any questions or need to speak to a member of the team, please do get in contact with us here today.
