Migraine Home Remedies Best For Seniors

Headaches can be uncomfortable, but migraines can be downright unbearable. Experienced in varying frequencies and with unique symptoms, the experience of a migraine is often likened to a relentless hammering in the head - and that includes seniors.

The agony of migraines is accompanied by a wide range of other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, sleep deprivation, mood swings, and auras, which can cause people to see lights and other imaginary things. The triggers behind this condition vary and can involve sensitivities/allergies to certain foods and substances, hormone imbalances, environmental factors, continually elevated stress levels, dehydration, low blood sugar levels, and unhealthy diets.

Regardless of age, anyone can experience a migraine attack. Unfortunately, seniors often have a greater challenge in relieving and managing the pain due to many medications and treatments not always being safe to take with other medications or containing ingredients that cannot be taken. Thankfully, there are home remedies that are generally safe and effective for seniors to help reduce the frequency of migraine attacks and their symptoms.

Avoid Common Migraine Inducing Foods

The food you choose to eat can have a dramatic effect on preventing migraine attacks. Common migraine triggers to avoid include nitrates in hot dogs, deli meats, bacon, and sausage, sugary chocolate, cheeses with tyramine such as blue, feta, cheddar, parmesan, and swiss, alcohol, especially red wine, monosodium glutamate, and highly processed convenience foods. Be mindful of what you eat to help avoid migraine attacks.

If you're struggling to figure out which foods could be triggering your migraine attacks, there's an easy way to help you find out! Keeping a daily food journal is a great practice that can help you spot which foods might be the culprits. All you have to do is write down what you eat after every meal, and take note of any negative effects it may have.

Drink Some Coffee Or Caffeinated Tea

If your diet and overall health allows you, why not try a cup of coffee or caffeinated tea after your meal? A little bit of caffeine can help to alleviate migraine pain for some people, as it has a positive effect on the brain's blood vessels. However, it's important to be mindful and not overdo it - too much caffeine can trigger a migraine or lead to a nasty caffeine withdrawal headache.

Eat Regularly And Stay Well Hydrated

If you don't take the time, money and effort to plan for healthy meals and snacks, you may be setting yourself up for a migraine attack. Low blood glucose levels resulting from skipping meals or waiting too many hours to eat can trigger a migraine, but making the effort to eat nutritious foods means more energy and a lower risk of migraine attacks.

It's critical to stay hydrated - even mild dehydration can be a trigger for a migraine attack! Make sure to always keep some water nearby, especially during exercise or hot summer days. Establishing this as a daily habit is key to helping you stay hydrated.

Peppermint Oil

The soothing, refreshing aroma of peppermint oil, which contains the chemical menthol, can be a natural relief for those plagued with migraine episodes. You can apply it directly to your temples and face, or use aromatherapy by mixing it into water and breathing in the menthol-infused steam.

In 2019, researchers compared the effectiveness of nasal 4 percent lidocaine, 1.5 percent peppermint essential oil, and a placebo for managing migraine symptoms. Astonishingly, 40 percent of people in the lidocaine and peppermint oil groups reported significant improvements in their symptoms, significantly more than the mere 4.9 percent of those in the placebo group.

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health has conducted very little research on peppermint leaf, however, there is a small amount of evidence which points to the potential benefits of topical peppermint oil in relieving tension headaches, which can worsen if left untreated and can develop into migraines.

Add More Magnesium-Rich Foods To Your Diet

Feeling the pain of headaches and migraine? Magnesium deficiency could be to blame! Taking 500 milligrams of magnesium oxide twice a day for 8 weeks may be just as effective as valproate sodium in preventing migraine with aura and menstrual migraine (hormone headaches). According to a 2021 study, supplementing with magnesium oxide is also free of any serious side effects.

If you're looking for a simple and easy way to incorporate more magnesium into your diet, you don't have to look far! Almonds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, Brazil nuts, cashews, peanut butter, oatmeal, eggs, milk, and leafy greens are all loaded with magnesium and can easily be found in most grocery stores.

Lay Down In A Dark, Quiet And Air Conditioned Room

If you're feeling a migraine coming on, it might be best to avoid the bright lights and loud noises before it turns into a full blown headache. Find a quiet spot, close the door, and pull down the shades to help speed up your recovery.

Try To Reduce Your Stress And Get Regular Sleep

Stress is one of the primary trigger factors for migraine attacks. Counteract the effects of stress with calming habits such as yoga, listening to soothing music and receiving head massages.

Make sure you get enough restful sleep each night to keep migraines at bay! For optimal health, strive for 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Setting a regular bedtime and wake up time, with the help of a loud but pleasing alarm clock, will help you stick to a consistent sleep schedule. Too much or too little sleep can increase your risk of getting headaches and migraines.

Final Thoughts

At the very first sign of a migraine, these home remedies can be invaluable in managing symptoms, reducing frequency and even preventing the migraine from worsening. Utilize them to your advantage and you will likely see an improvement in your migraine condition.

If your migraine is especially intense, consulting a doctor experienced in treating migraines is essential. Home remedies may not be enough to relieve your symptoms.