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Prevention

By Mayo Clinic staff

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Whether or not you take preventive medications, you may benefit from lifestyle changes that can help reduce the number and severity of migraines. One or more of these suggestions may be helpful for you:

  • Avoid triggers. If certain foods or odors seem to have triggered your migraines in the past, avoid them.

    Your doctor may recommend you reduce your caffeine and alcohol intake and avoid tobacco.

    In general, establish a daily routine with regular sleep patterns and regular meals. In addition, try to control stress.

  • Exercise regularly. Regular aerobic exercise reduces tension and can help prevent migraines. If your doctor agrees, choose any aerobic exercise you enjoy, including walking, swimming and cycling. Warm up slowly, however, because sudden, intense exercise can cause headaches.

    Obesity is also thought to be a factor in migraine headaches, and regular exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight or lose weight.

  • Reduce the effects of estrogen. If you're a woman who has migraines and estrogen seems to trigger or make your headaches worse, you may want to avoid or reduce the medications you take that contain estrogen.

    These medications include birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy. Talk with your doctor about the appropriate alternatives or dosages for you.

Alternative medicine
References
  1. NINDS migraine information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/migraine/migraine.htm. Accessed April 4, 2013.
  2. Headache: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/headache/detail_headache.htm. Accessed April 4, 2013.
  3. Cutrer FM, et al. Pathophysiology, clinical manifestations and diagnosis of migraine in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed April 4, 2013.
  4. Daroff RB, et al. Bradley's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2012. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?about=true&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4377-0434-1..C2009-0-40427-6--TOP&isbn=978-1-4377-0434-1&uniqId=364938937-2. Accessed April 4, 2013.
  5. Bajwa ZH, et al. Acute treatment of migraine in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed April 4, 2013.
  6. Calhoun AH. Estrogen-associated migraine. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed April 5, 2013.
  7. Martin KA, et al. Risks and side effects associated with estrogen-progestin contraceptives. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed April 5, 2013.
  8. Solomon DH. Nonselective NSAIDs: Overview of adverse effects. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed April 8, 2013.
  9. Bajwa ZH, et al. Preventive treatment of migraine in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed April 4, 2013.
  10. Neurological diagnostic tests and procedures. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/misc/diagnostic_tests.htm. Accessed April 9, 2013.
  11. Headaches and complementary health approaches. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/pain/headachefacts.htm?nav=gsa. Accessed April 9, 2013.
  12. Ramzan M, et al. Headache, migraine and stroke. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed April 9, 2013.
  13. Cruse RP. Management of migraine headache in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed April 10, 2013.
  14. U.S. News best hospitals 2012-2013. U.S. News & World Report. http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings. Accessed April 4, 2013.
  15. Tintinalli JE, et al. Tintinalli's Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2011. http://www.accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=40. Accessed April 26, 2013.
  16. Swanson JW (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. April 25, 2013.
DS00120 June 4, 2013

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