Did you know? 63% of migraine sufferers experience seasonal differences in their migraine attacks with documented increases in migraine-related emergency room visits during springtime. With spring just around the corner, it is important to start preparing for seasonal changes now to limit the onset of migraines as best you can.
Reduce Allergens
Spring is a huge time of year for allergy triggers, which are directly related to the onset and severity of migraines. Take the time to reduce the presence of dust in your living and working spaces. Utilizing over-the-counter allergy medications like cetirizine (Zyrtec), loratadine (Claritin), or fexofenadine (Allegra) as a preventative measure when pollen counts are high, or when you know you’ll be spending a lot of time outside may help you prevent migraines.
Reduce Light Exposure
Warmer weather and spring sunshine can be very exciting after a dreary winter, but make sure you’re prepared. Up to 80% of migraine sufferers experience increased sensitivity to light, so it is very important to always wear polarized sunglasses when in direct sunlight, and consider wearing a protective hat to keep the sun out of your eyes as well.
Keep a Regular Sleep Schedule
In the spring and summer, many people’s sleep patterns change due to longer days. It is important to get about 7-9 hours of sleep each night, even on weekends. Try as best you can to go to sleep and wake up around the same time each day, as changes in sleep patterns have been shown to trigger migraines.
Stay Hydrated
Dehydration is a very common migraine trigger. Be sure to drink a lot of water, especially in warmer temperatures. Try to plan any outdoor activity for when it’s cooler, like the early morning or evening. You can also eat foods with high water content like watermelon, cucumber, celery, zucchini, or peaches.
Know Your Triggers
Every migraine sufferer is different, so there’s no one-size-fits-all preventative measure for migraines. A combination of the above may help, but only if you are also in touch with yourself enough to know what often sets off a migraine for you.
Pay attention – do certain smells, foods, or activities often result in migraines for you? Do you notice an increase in migraines during certain weather patterns? If you’re having trouble figuring out your triggers, try keeping a “migraine diary.” Any time you get a migraine, record what you did that day, including what you ate, how much you slept, and any irregularities in your schedule.
If you or a loved one are living with chronic migraines, a clinical trial may be able to help. To learn more about no-cost treatment, fill out your information on our website.