This is a series of articles that deals with Migraines and the challenges a family faces to find a cure. Migraines can have a hugely negative impact not only on the person suffering but also everyone involved. Hopefully other migraine victims will find helpful relief … if not within these articles from the resources available to date.

Part 1

My wife has a lifelong history of migraine headaches. Before meeting her I never knew anyone that suffered from migraines. But I still remember the first time I witnessed my wife with a full-blown migraine. We were just starting our day and I came into the bedroom to let her know that breakfast was ready.

At first I thought that she had stroke and was aphasic. Her speech was slurred and she had lost some muscle control on the left side of her face. Both my grandmother and mother had strokes. “What can I do to help?” “Are you having a stroke?” I asked franticly.

She slowly lifted her finger to her lips as she looked up. “Shhh … I’ve got a migraine.” I remembered hearing that people with migraines were very sensitive to light (photophobia) and sound (phonophobia). I quietly closed the Venetian blind and snuck out of the bedroom.

The Headaches of Family Life with a Migraine – Part 1

There are many headache triggers that you probably come in contact with every day, often without even realizing it. By making just a few alterations in your daily lifestyle, you can avoid many of the triggers that will lead to a severe headache.

House Hold Chemicals

Most house holds are stock full of toxic chemicals that also emit strong odors that can be the cause of headaches for many people. Pay close attention to the types of cleaning chemicals, nail care products, and pesticides that you keep around the house and consider less toxic organic substitutes. Most of the cleaning chemicals used around the house can be substituted with plain old soap and a little elbow grease.

Food

Be conscious of what you are eating. Many seemingly harmless foods can cause headaches in a certain percentage of the population. See my earlier post on avoiding foods that cause headaches.

Radical changes in diet

This includes going on a long fast or trying the latest celebrity diets. Often your body will react negatively to large changes in caloric intake. Changes in blood sugar can also be responsible for headaches when changing your eating habits. If you are making a drastic change in your diet, do so with the supervision of your doctor.

There are plenty of triggers out there that are unavoidable so be aware of the ones that you can avoid and you may avoid at least one painful headache.

Headache Triggers You Can Avoid