I created this post as part of a campaign by Teva Pharmaceuticals. I received an American Express gift card for participating.
I’ve briefly talked about my migraines before on the blog, but today I wanted to share a few tips for dealing with them and find the best treatments for you. Every person (of the nearly 36 million Americans that suffer from migraines) has different symptoms and different ways to treat them effectively, but discovering those requires some insight. Fortunately, getting that insight just requires that you pay attention – and that you keep a migraine journal.
A migraine journal is just exactly what it sounds like – a journal just about your migraines. You can keep it electronically or on paper, but all that matters is that you keep it consistently, no matter what form it takes. A few things to note in your migraine journal:
- Timing. When do you get your migraines? While exact timing may not be important, it’s good to note if you get them in the morning, afternoon, or evenings. If a pattern starts to emerge, it can help you decipher what was going on in your day around that time, and may show you what your triggers are. For me, if I get a migraine in the morning, it generally has something to do with dehydration from not drinking water all night. If in the evening, it may be due to staring at a computer screen at work. Timing can show so much!
- Symptoms. Your symptoms may be different with each migraine. Some may just be pain, some may include nausea, and others may include sensitivity to light. Keeping track of these symptoms can help both you and your doctor see patterns and figure out how to address them!
- Treatment. Note how you treated your migraine with each instance, including if it worked and how quickly. This will also help you figure out the best treatments for your symptoms, and possibly help you prevent them! You can also use this information to put together a “migraine kit” that’s ready to go when you get a migraine!
If you suffer from migraines, I highly recommend visiting MoretoMigraine.com. There, you’ll find information, treatment options, and tips on how to talk to your doctor. It’s a great resource to help you deal with the pain!
