Migraines & Headaches Prevention

Prevent Headaches

Preventing headaches and migraines involves incorporating a variety of lifestyle factors that can reduce risk of an attack.

In both headaches and migraines, maintaining a regular exercise routine is key as exercise has been known to boost circulation, release natural feel-good endorphins in the body and reduce stress. Biofeedback training which teaches the headache sufferer ways to control their reaction to pain can be a formative technique for preventing a full-blown headache as soon as the early warning signs of an attack are felt.

Migraines have been linked certain additives in foods or smells. Therefore it is important to identify food or smell triggers in your diet and avoid them. Foods like caffeine, fermented foods, MSG, nitrates, nitrites, yeast and aged foods are some of the key culprits. In addition, since fluctuations in estrogen is strongly associated with migraines, women who have reduced estrogen, such as peri and postmenopausal women, might want to consider hormone replacement therapy as a way to prevent migraines.

If you suspect a medication may be inciting headaches or migraines, it is important to work with your doctor to seek out a new medication or lessen its dosage and stopping medication abruptly without the guidance of your medical doctor may cause serious health consequences.

If workplace factors contribute to headaches, taking breaks from the prolonged activities that may incite a headache and performing relaxation techniques such as stretches and brief massages may also help to minimize risk.