Migraines are very common—as a matter of fact, they affect nearly 1 in 6 American adults every year. If you’ve ever experienced one, you know how debilitating they can be. One migraine can completely throw off your entire day and leave you bedridden. While migraines are for the most part out of your control, there are ways to prepare for them, to know what your triggers are, and to cope when they occur. Although the cause of someone’s migraines are largely individualized, there are some common lifestyle aspects and conditions that can make them worse or make you more susceptible to them.
“The most common causes of migraine headaches are number one—genetic predisposition or a previous history of migraines. Two, periods of stress, number three, poor sleep, number four anxiety, and five is exposure to bright lights, certain smells, or just certain outside physical stimuli that may insight a migraine headache.” Says Dr. Andrew Ordon, host of the Emmy award-winning series, The Doctors.
Another important part of tackling your migraines head on is knowing what type of migraine you experience most frequently. “There are multiple types, to figure out what you have you need to see a neurologist,” Dr. Ordon says, “But basically a migraine headache is caused by an abrupt shift in the blood flow of the brain, and it’s that change in blood flow that causes the headache. While the root causes can vary, there are a few ways to lead a life that keeps you prepared for the next one.”
One thing that can also be helpful is supplementation. While its effectiveness varies from person to person, some people find that taking supplements can reduce migraine frequency and intensity. One supplement that has been shown to help with migraines is magnesium, especially for women. Magnesium is a major mineral that is a key player in maintaining nerve and muscle function—having a long term deficiency in magnesium has been linked to increased headaches and migraines in some people, especially women.
One study in approximately 10,000 adults found that women who had a higher dietary intake of magnesium had a reduced likelihood of having a migraine than those with a lower magnesium intake. Foods high in magnesium include whole wheat, spinach, almonds, black beans, and dark chocolate. Taking magnesium supplements can help bridge the gap between what you’re not getting in your diet and what you need. However, before you add any supplement to your diet, you should check with your doctor to make sure it is the right choice for you and your unique needs.
