Simple lifestyle changes can help to prevent migraine attacks, such as avoiding triggers, developing a sleeping and eating routine, and easing stress.1–3 If you suffer from severe migraines, your doctor may prescribe preventive medicines to reduce the severity, frequency and duration of your migraine attacks.4,5 It might take a few weeks to see improvements with these methods.6
Prevent migraine
Method of seizure
Lifestyle
changes
Medicines to prevent migraine
Complementary
or alternative treatments
Lifestyle modifications could help to prevent migraine attacks, including:
Maintaining good sleeping habits.1,3
Get up and go to bed at the same time every day, with 7–9 hours of sleep a night1,3
Developing a regular eating routine.1–3
Try eating at the same time every day1
Drinking plenty of water1,2
to stay hydrated1,2
Exercising regularly.1,2
Aerobic exercises such as walking, swimming and cycling can reduce tension and help to prevent migraines.1 However, ensure adequate time for warmup as sudden and intense exercise can also cause a headache1
Maintaining a healthy weight.1,3,4
Obesity could lead to migraines1,3,4
Learning to manage stress.1,2
Stress may trigger migraines.1,2 Methods such as meditation, yoga and mindful breathing could be helpful.1,2 Regular yoga practice can reduce the frequency and duration of migraines.1 You can also consult a therapist on ways to manage stress3
Keeping a migraine diary.1,3,4
Recording your symptoms and other details of your migraine can help you and your doctor better understand your migraine triggers as well as determine the most effective treatments for you.1 Identifying and avoiding migraine triggers (e.g., certain foods or medicines, eating and sleeping habits) can help prevent a migraine attack.2–4,6 Consult your doctor for more information
If your migraines are severe, occur more than 4 times per month and significantly affect your daily life, your doctor may prescribe preventive medicines.2,3 Follow your doctor’s instructions and take your medicines regularly to reduce the severity and frequency of your migraines.1–3,7 Consult your doctor on the medicines that may be suitable for you.1
Preventive medicines include:
Anti-calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) medicines, which block CGRP (a chemical in the body that transmits messages), inhibit vasodilation and neurogenic inflammation to prevent migraine attacks1–3,5,7
Blood pressure-lowering medicines such as beta blockers and calcium channel blockers1,2,5
Antidepressants such as tricyclics1–3,5
Anti-seizure medicines, which could be useful for patients who experience migraines less frequently. However, these medicines could cause side effects such as dizziness, weight changes and nausea1,3,5
OnabotulinumtoxinA injections1–3
Several complementary or alternative treatments may help prevent migraine.3,4 Consult your doctor for more information.
This method may be effective if your migraine is linked to your menstrual cycle.3,4 Consult your doctor for more information
These devices relieve pain and prevent migraine by sending electrical impulses to the vagus nerve, trigeminal nerve or other migraine-related brain cells2,3,8
Research has shown that certain herbs, vitamins and minerals (e.g., vitamin B-2, coenzyme Q10, melatonin) may be able to prevent migraine.1,2,4 Remember to consult your doctor before taking any herbs or supplements4
Simply answer a few questions to find out if you could have migraine now.