A migraine headache is one of the most severe forms of headache one can get. When the wrong treatment modalities are used to reduce the pain, more harm than good might be encountered. Some analgesics have the side effect of increasing the risk of gastritis and peptic ulcer disease, which will cause abdominal pain and headaches. The former can worsen the latter, such as when feeding is compromised. To avoid this, managing migraine as you age has to be approached systematically. There are tried and true methods that effectively reduce migraine spells when aging. Using them instead of relying on regular analgesics could save you a lifetime of pain and agony later. To take advantage of them, it’s essential to first know about their existence.
Don’t Self-Medicate
The number one problem many migraine sufferers have is self-medicating, which later leads to complications in their health. Once you realize that you have a recurrent headache, don’t try out different treatments for weeks or months to find out which works best for you. These medicines have side effects, and the longer you use them, the more potent the side effects. Besides, it could be the case that migraine headaches can be treated with something else other than medication.
To ascertain this, you would be better off working with a physician who will first diagnose the type of headache you have and then identify the most effective treatment for it. You will get relief faster and suffer fewer side effects. This only works if you work closely with your physician and listen to what they tell you.
Try Relaxation Techniques
Relaxation techniques such as yoga have been proven effective in managing all sorts of pain, including recalcitrant headaches and migraines. They don’t require you to ingest any pharmaceuticals and are also beneficial in other ways. For instance, they can help you stay grounded and maintain inner peace. If you live in a retirement community that organizes events like these, take advantage of them. You will not regret it, even if you continue taking relaxation technique classes when your migraines are healed.
Maintain Sleep Hygiene
Sleep hygiene is the collection of habits related to how you sleep. These include how consistent you are with your bedtime, eating well before you go to bed, avoiding screens at least an hour before you anticipate sleeping, and avoiding caffeine at least ten hours before bed. It would help if you kept your bedroom dark and cool by the time you go to bed, as this will make you fall asleep faster. Don’t make it a habit to work while in bed, as this might make your body find it difficult to ensure that you sleep when you get into bed.
Have A Healthy Diet
If you suffer from migraines, try to have a regular healthy diet. Some foods you should restrict or avoid include carbonated drinks, caffeine, and salt. You can always consult your health and wellness team members in your retirement community; they will likely give you a more thorough rundown of what you need to do diet-wise to keep the migraines in check.
