Migraine is a critical neurological condition characterised by symptoms like intense headaches, sensitivity to light and sound, numbness or tingling, difficulty speaking, nausea, and vomiting. It may affect people of all ages and is often hereditary. The migraine pain may become quite severe and unbearable at times needing an SOS medication.

If you experience severe migraines or its symptoms, consult a doctor to get prescribed with preventive medications and a treatment plan. In rare cases, an immediate visit to an emergency medical center may also be required.

Along with medication, certain natural remedies have been found to be quite effective in reducing the severity and duration of a migraine episode. Read through the end to find out how you can relieve your migraine attack naturally.

• Lavender Oil

Research has shown that applying and inhaling lavender essential oil can help relieve migraine pain. You may apply diluted oil to your temples or inhale it directly for around 15 minutes during a migraine attack for faster relief. Also note, the effect of lavender oil may vary from person to person.

• Peppermint Oil

The benefits of peppermint oil have not only been experienced and claimed by migraine patients but have also been proven by scientific studies. The menthol content present in peppermint oil is believed to prevent and relieve migraine-associated symptoms like pain, light sensitivity and nausea. You may apply its diluted version to your temples and forehead to ease migraine symptoms.

• Ginger

Ginger is quite effective in relieving nausea that may be caused due to conditions like migraine. Studies have shown the ability of ginger powder to reduce migraine duration and severity. Also, ginger rarely leads to any side effects.

• Acupressure

Acupressure is the practice when a trained person uses fingers and hands to apply pressure at the specific points in an affected person’s body. This helps ease pain, other migraine symptoms, physical discomfort and proves beneficial in case of other health concerns as well. Consult your doctor to understand whether you can practice acupressure or not and if you may, then what points you should apply pressure at during a migraine attack.

• Yoga

Yoga not only promotes overall health and wellbeing but the breathing techniques, meditation and certain body postures involved in it may help relieve the intensity, duration and frequency of migraines. However, this should not be performed during an episode of a migraine attack for immediate relief. It is suggested to practice yoga regularly as it may improve your vascular health, release tension in migraine-trigger areas, and reduce anxiety.

Along with following the above-mentioned tips, prefer taking a regulated diet as it plays a vital role in both -- triggering and preventing migraines. For example, foods containing nitrates like sausages, bacon, deli meats, and hot dogs can act as migraine triggers. Other foods and beverages that people who get migraines should avoid include cultured dairy products, pickled foods, processed foods, ice-cold foods like ice creams, alcohol, chocolate etc.

Consult a specialist at HJ Hospitals, one of the best hospitals in the Democratic Republic of Congo, to get a second opinion and a custom-made treatment plan. Seek diet counselling and management tips only at HJ Hospitals to prevent and tackle your migraine episodes better.