Remedies That Can Either Help or Hurt a Migraine

Bright light is the enemy when you have migraine. So you'd think glasses with tinted lenses would help. And they can -- if they have an FL-41 filter, a pinkish tint that blocks blue-green light. People who wear them daily report fewer migraine attacks with less pain. But traditional sunglasses might actually make things worse. Over time, your eyes adapt to the darker environment they create. This makes you even more sensitive to light.

Many people blame chocolate for triggering their migraine attacks. But studies haven't found a clear link. It might just be guilt by association. Maybe you ate a few squares to satisfy a craving for sweets, an early migraine symptom. In fact, eating chocolate during an attack might bring some relief. It’s a mood booster and has magnesium, riboflavin, and tryptophan, all known migraine fighters.

Sex may be the last thing on your mind when your head is throbbing. But you might want to rethink that. One survey of people with migraine found that while a third reported that their head pain got worse during sex, 60% said it got better -- and most of them had complete relief. But be mindful: Some people get "sex headaches" after orgasm. Being prone to migraine puts you at greater risk for them.

Either low blood sugar or dehydration can lead to a headache. Some people find that sodas help, especially cola, which has headache-fighting caffeine. Others turn to hydrating sports drinks. But don't overdo it. Too much sugar could make you even more dehydrated. Sugar even triggers migraine for some people. Diet sodas aren't the answer, either. Artificial sweeteners can also give you headaches.

Capsaicin, a key ingredient in chili peppers, is a known pain reliever. And there's some evidence that a nasal spray containing capsaicin could ease migraine and other bad headaches. This might explain why some people with migraine swear by spicy soups. On the other hand, some people think spicy foods actually trigger their migraine.

Regular workouts lead to fewer, less painful headaches. Exercise reduces stress, improves sleep, and releases endorphins, your body's natural pain relievers. But for some people, exercise can trigger a migraine. Experts think that's because it temporarily boosts blood pressure. To exercise without pain, stay hydrated, do a thorough warmup, and don't work out on an empty stomach.      

Caffeine is the ultimate yes-no migraine trigger. It causes attacks for some but stops them for others. You might think coffee causes your headaches, but caffeine cravings could be due to early migraine signs, like fatigue. While kicking the habit may help in the long run (expect a migraine when you first stop), caffeine often makes medications work better. If you indulge, keep your intake moderate and consistent.

Drugstore pain medications like aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen do help some folks with migraine pain. Don't use them daily or almost daily, though. That can lead to rebound headaches, and they often don't work for the worst migraine symptoms. Bottom line: They might be a good addition to your treatment plan but can't take the place of a visit to your doctor.

Magnesium, riboflavin, CoQ10, folate, and the herbs butterbur and feverfew seem to help some people prevent or manage migraine symptoms. Other supplements, like ginkgo biloba, ginseng, and ephedra, might make headaches worse. Some could interact badly with your migraine medication, including:

• Ginkgo biloba
• Ginseng
• Echinacea
• St. John's wort
• Valerian
• Large amounts of garlic

Always get your doctor's OK before trying a supplement.  

One home remedy involves scarfing ice cream to cause "brain freeze," which is supposed to stop head pain in its tracks. A small study seemed to support this tasty technique. After they brought on brain freeze by drinking ice-cold water, people had changes in blood flow to their brains similar to those thought to occur when migraine attacks subside. For some people, though, very cold foods and drinks trigger migraine.

Massage helps relieve stress, a major trigger for migraine. More research is needed to prove whether it can prevent migraine or soothe pain. But it's a popular alternative treatment for migraine. However,  many people with migraine find touch painful during an attack. If this is you, wait until your headache's gone before booking a massage appointment.   

Keeping track of your migraine triggers isn't an exact science. There's often a lot of lag time between trigger and headache. It's easy to be mistaken. At any rate, avoiding triggers may not be the most effective technique. Some research has found that facing triggers and finding ways to cope with them, often with a doctor’s help, can make you less sensitive to them.