Migraines are more than just headaches—they are intense, often debilitating, and can affect your daily life.
While medications are commonly used, natural remedies and lifestyle adjustments can play a significant role in managing migraine frequency and intensity. Thus, for many people, maintaining overall nutritional adequacy through diet and, where appropriate, multivitamin support such as ACTIVIT may be considered as part of general wellness.
In this article, we’ll explore migraine symptoms, causes, triggers, and effective natural solutions that really work. But before that, let’s define “what is migraine?”
Migraine is a brain and nervous system disorder in which you experience intense headaches. Unlike other headaches, migraines can last for a longer duration, anywhere between 4 and 72 hours. You may also experience other symptoms along with migraines, such as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light or sound.
Many people in Pakistan ask, “What is migraine in Urdu?” Migraine in Urdu is commonly known as “آدھے سر کا درد” in Pakistan.
Common symptoms of migraines are:
Sensitivity to light, sound, or smell.
Fatigue or sometimes yawning.
Increased appetite and thirst.
Mood changes.
Frequent urination.
Digestive issues, like diarrhea, constipation, and bloating.
Not all headaches are migraines, so how can you distinguish between them? You may wonder.
Here’s a quick comparison:
But how would you identify the type of migraine you have?
Let’s explain the different types of migraines!
Here are the migraine types:
Migraine with aura—includes warning signs like auras before the headache begins.
Migraine without aura—the most common type, with no warning signs.
Chronic migraine—occurs 15 or more days per month for at least three months.
Menstrual migraine—linked to hormonal changes in women, usually around menstruation.
Research shows migraines begin when the brain’s nerves, chemicals, and blood vessels stop communicating normally. During a migraine, certain nerves in the brain become overactive, releasing pain-causing chemicals. These chemicals widen blood vessels and send strong pain signals to the brain.
That’s why some people notice migraines at predictable times—like before their period, after a stressful week, or when routines change.
Another important factor is serotonin, a brain chemical that helps control pain. When serotonin levels drop, migraine pain becomes more likely. When estrogen levels rise or fall, such as during the menstrual cycle, migraine attacks can become frequent or intense.
Simply put, migraines happen because of a mix of nerve sensitivity, chemical imbalance, blood vessel changes, and hormonal shifts.
Common migraine triggers are:
Lifestyle Triggers: Sleep issues (either too much or too little sleep), stress, anxiety, and intense physical activity without hydration may trigger migraines.
Dietary Triggers: Consumption of too much or too little caffeine, processed foods, and alcohol, especially wine or beer.
Hormonal Triggers: Menstrual cycle, menopause, or pregnancy may also trigger migraines.
Natural remedies for migraines are:
Dietary Habits: Avoid foods that trigger migraines, such as processed meats, aged cheese, alcohol, pickled foods, very cold foods, and artificial additives. Small amounts of caffeine may help some people, but too much—or stopping suddenly—can trigger headaches. To manage migraines effectively, you can make a personal diary and maintain a record of your dietary triggers to avoid them in the future.
Essential Oils: When inhaled or applied in diluted form, peppermint, lavender, chamomile, damask rose, or citron oils may help calm migraine pain. While early research on the role of oils in migraines is promising, more studies are still needed.
Herbs and Plant Extracts: Feverfew, butterbur, curcumin, ginger, and coriander have traditionally been used for headaches and migraines. Some people find them helpful, but scientific evidence is still limited, so results may vary from person to person.
Yoga and Exercises: If the reason behind your migraines and headaches is stress and anxiety, yoga, gentle exercise, and relaxation techniques may reduce migraine intensity and frequency over time. However, avoid intense exercises during an active attack.
Lifestyle Changes: Small lifestyle changes like going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, staying hydrated, getting a massage, and trying acupressure can improve your overall health and reduce migraine pain.
Supplementation: Studies also support the fact that supplementation with magnesium, CoQ10, and vitamin B2 (riboflavin) can help manage and prevent migraines effectively. If you are looking for one, try ACTIVIT multivitamin, which provides these nutrients in highly bioavailable forms, such as:
Magnesium as magnesium malate (400 mg)
B2 as riboflavin 5-phosphate sodium (7 mg)
CoQ10 as Ubidecarenone (50 mg)
Along with these nutrients, ACTIVIT includes other essential vitamins and minerals; thus, it may help manage migraines and support your overall health.
To reduce intensity, common tips for migraines include:
Apply cold press to the forehead or neck
Inhale oils like peppermint or lavender in diluted form.
Rest in a dark room or reduce light intensity around you.
Stretch your neck and shoulders gently to reduce tension.
Women are more affected by migraines than men due to the hormonal changes in their bodies at different stages of their lives. Men have fewer triggers; however, stress, sleep disruption, and dietary habits may increase their chances of having migraines.
Many people ask: what medicine for migraines are effective? And can we take over-the-counter medicines for migraines?
The answer is clear: you should not use any medication for migraines without consulting a doctor.
Migraines are commonly treated with pain-relief medicines (like paracetamol or NSAIDs), migraine-specific drugs such as triptans, and anti-nausea medicines if needed. For those experiencing frequent migraines, doctors may recommend preventive medications like beta-blockers, anti-seizure drugs, or CGRP-targeting therapies. The medication depends on the type and severity of your migraine.
Migraines are challenging, but understanding triggers and using natural remedies can make a difference. Lifestyle adjustments, dietary changes, herbal remedies, and supplements can all help reduce frequency and severity. Most importantly, identifying your personal triggers and managing them may help you avoid migraines, as everyone’s triggers are different.
What is the fastest way to cure a migraine?
Resting in a dark, quiet room, using a cold press on the forehead, staying hydrated, and taking doctor-approved medications may help relieve migraines.
How do you treat migraines while pregnant?
You can treat migraine during pregnancy through natural remedies, such as rest, hydration, cold packs, gentle massage, and avoiding triggers, as medications are not safe. However, always consult your doctor before taking any medicines for migraines.
What can trigger migraines?
Common triggers include stress, hormonal changes, certain foods, sleep disturbances, dehydration, and sensory overload, like bright lights or strong smells.
How can I avoid Migraines?
Here are the tips to avoid migraines:
Maintain a regular sleep schedule.
Eat balanced meals and avoid food triggers.
Manage stress with yoga, meditation, or deep breathing.
Stay hydrated and exercise regularly.
5. Can hormones cause migraines?
Yes. Fluctuating estrogen levels during periods, pregnancy, or menopause can trigger migraines, especially in women prone to menstrual migraines.
6. Which vitamin deficiency is linked to migraines?
Magnesium, riboflavin (B2), and vitamin D deficiencies are often linked to migraines. Supplementing with the best multivitamin in Pakistan, like ACTIVIT, that provides these nutrients, may help support your overall health.
7. Are natural remedies safe for migraines?
Most natural remedies, like herbs, vitamins, and lifestyle changes, are generally safe. However, pregnant women, people with chronic diseases, or those on medication should check with a doctor before using them.
References:
https://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/migraines-headaches-migraines#1-2
https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/migraine
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