Migraine is among the most debilitating of all medical conditions. According to studies, migraines affect one out of six Americans. Migraines can keep your loved one from working, participating in activities, or enjoying life.
It doesn’t just affect the person with migraine. It affects everyone around them as well. That’s why it’s so important to be supportive of your loved one when dealing with this condition. There are ways you can help them cope, though.
Here are some tips to help make life a little easier for your special someone with migraines.
Help Them Find the Right Healthcare Provider and Treatment
If your loved one doesn’t already have a healthcare provider, help them find one. A primary care doctor or a neurologist can diagnose and treat migraines. Once you’ve found the right doctor, take some time to learn about different treatment options. Thankfully, reliable experts are now working in facilities providing treatment for neurological disorders like migraine.
With some research, you can find a local facility to help your special someone address their migraine issues. Professionals can do extensive testing to uncover the root of your loved one’s migraines. This can help explore the right treatment options based on their situation.
One treatment option available for patients with migraines is electrical stimulation. Electric stimulation (E-stim) helps reduce the transmission of pain signals throughout your body by using a low-intensity electrical current in your body tissues. This allows the experts to ‘activate’ muscles and address neurological compensation patterns such as chronic migraines.
Helping your loved one find the right treatment option is crucial in managing their migraines. Be sure to ask their healthcare provider about any questions or concerns you may have.
Educate Yourself About Migraine
The more you know about migraine, the better equipped you’ll be to support your loved one. Start by reading up on the condition. The Migraine Research Foundation website is an excellent place to start. Learning some common migraine facts will help you better understand their condition.
Experts say that migraines are more prevalent in women. According to statistics, eight out of 10 people who suffer from migraines are women. Some say this can be due to women’s hormonal levels changing each month. Hormonal changes can cause an imbalance in the body, leading to migraines.
Migraine attacks can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days. And they can be so severe that the person affected can’t even function normally. Some people experience aura symptoms before migraines attack, while others do not. Aura symptoms can include seeing flashes of light or colorful spots, having trouble speaking, or experiencing tingling in the hands or face.
During a migraine attack, people often experience sensitivity to light and sound. They may also have nausea and vomiting. The pain can be so severe that it’s difficult to even move. Now that you know more about migraines, you can better understand what your loved one is going through.
Learn About Their Migraine Triggers
According to experts, genetic and environmental factors can cause migraines. Stress, lack of sleep, bright lights, and certain foods can trigger migraines. Knowing what causes your loved one’s triggers will make it easier for you to help them avoid them.
For example, if you know that your loved one’s migraines are triggered by stress, you can help them manage their stress levels. You and your loved one can try stress management techniques like yoga or meditation. Once you find a method that works, you can do it together to show your support.
Other people’s migraines may be triggered by certain foods like alcohol, aged cheeses, chocolate, and processed meats. If you know what foods trigger your loved one’s migraines, you can help them avoid those foods. You can also help them by cooking migraine-friendly meals, like cooked green vegetables, rice, and dried non-citrus fruits.
Make Their Life More Comfortable
There are things you can do to make your loved one’s life more comfortable when they’re dealing with a migraine. Try to create a calm environment for them. Dim the lights and close the curtains if bright light bothers them. You can also put on some soft music to help them relax.
You can also help them find a comfortable position. Some people find relief by lying down in a dark room. Others find relief by sitting up and putting pressure on their temples. Help them find a position that makes them feel better and make sure they have pillows to support them.
Your loved one may not feel up to dealing with work, school, or social obligations when they’re in the throes of a migraine attack. That’s where you come in. Be their advocate. If they need to miss work or school, call or email their employer or teacher on their behalf. If they need to cancel plans with friends, let their friends know.
Migraine can be a frustrating and debilitating condition, but there are things you can do to help your loved one cope. Educate yourself, find the right healthcare provider and treatment, learn about their migraine triggers, and make their life more comfortable when dealing with an attack. With your support, they can manage their migraines and live a happy, healthy life.
