You know how awful persistent migraines can be if you have them. There's a lot to deal with when you have a migraine: from nausea to sensitivity to sound and light, not to mention the continual throbbing headache that feels like someone is beating on the interior of your brain with a hammer. If this describes you, you understand how critical it is to find a remedy that does not involve popping painkiller after painkiller into your mouth.
Do ice bags actually help in relieving migraines? Or is it just an old age tale?
There's a reason why these home remedies are so popular. Cold therapy treatment has been used for as long as people have had access to ice. It's a tried-and-true method of pain management.
In this post, we'll look at what causes migraines, how a cold pack helps relieve migraine pain, and how to use them!
Causes of Migraines
Migraines can be brought on by a number of things. A few examples are as follows:
1) Hormonal Changes
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Experiencing migraines during hormonal changes is common. In women, this can be caused during or before monthly cycles, pregnancy, or menopause.
2) Hormonal Drugs
Hormonal drugs can trigger migraines in the same way as hormonal changes can cause them. In women, contraceptive pills and other chemical medications can intensify migraines.
3) Drinks
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Certain drinks can also aggravate migraines. These include excessive caffeine, such as coffee, and alcohol, particularly wine.
4) Stress
Everyone knows that stress is bad for the body. Migraines might be triggered due to workplace stress or other personal reasons.
5) Bright Lights and Loud Noises
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Intense or blinking lights, as well as loud noises, can cause migraines. Strong odors, such as fragrances, spray paint, or passive smoking, can trigger some people.
6) Change in Sleep Pattern
Certain people can get migraines from sleeping too much or too little.
7) Extreme Physical Activity
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Migraines can be triggered by vigorous physical activity, including sexual activity.
8) Diet
What you eat matters. Certain foods, such as matured cheeses, as well as processed meats, might cause migraines. Skipping meals or fasting could also be harmful and induce migraines.
9) Medications
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Certain medications might also cause migraines. Consult your physician if you've recently begun a new medicine and are suffering from migraines.
10) Climate Changes
A change in the weather can cause a migraine. Excessive cold or extreme heat can trigger migraines.
11) Family Background
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Migraines can be genetic. You are more prone to have migraines if someone in the family has them.
How Cold Therapy Helps in Relieving Migraines
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Sometimes even after the abovementioned habits are corrected, migraines can still persist. While taking over-the-counter drugs may appear to be a quick fix for a migraine, it is not practical, especially if you are a chronic migraine sufferer. The constant use of such high doses of medication can affect your body and if there is a natural remedy that might work for you, why not give it a try?
A cold compress can help chronic migraine patients by restricting blood vessels and lowering pain-causing brain activity. Because the cold reduces blood flow to the affected location, it is the best natural preventative measure for a migraine patient. Cold packs are known to have a numbing effect. Using a cold pack diverts the body's attention away from the migraine. This is accomplished by stimulating other nerve endings in the area of the compress.
How To Treat a Migraine With Cold Compresses
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An ice pack is used to treat pain in a number of situations. When it comes to migraines, an ice pack can help with both prevention and acute treatment. Acute treatment aims to alleviate pain and other migraine symptoms once you already have a migraine. Preventive treatments on the other hand are intended to lessen the intensity and likelihood of predicted attacks.
Ice packs placed on the head and neck are a common treatment for migraine pain relief. Some people use it to relieve tension headaches. Wrap the ice or cold pack in a cloth and place it on your temples for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Place the ice pack on your neck for targeted neck cooling if your migraine is in the back of your head. If you do not have an ice pack, you can put ice cubes in a towel, use a bag of frozen fruit or veggies, or even a washcloth dipped in cold water. A cold shower can also be beneficial. Check to see if your cold pack is too cold and causing pain. Ice burn is a painful side effect of using extremely cold ice packs on exposed skin.
If discomfort or swelling persists after 15 minutes, allow your skin to restore to its usual temperature before repeating the same process. If the pain persists after 24 hours, get medical attention!
Choosing the Best Ice Pack for Migraines
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This is dependent on the circumstances and the user. Ice packs meant for migraines usually contain water and are generally not flexible, meaning they cannot wrap around your head. Chemical cold packs quickly lose their coolness. A cold gel pack may wrap well around the head and neck but does not remain cold and tends to warm up quickly.
It's time to invest in a more serious ice pack if you're having regular migraine attacks. Nice Packs' dry ice packs are a good option. These ice packs can stay cold for hours without getting wet. However, before using them, make sure to cover them in a cloth to protect your skin from the freezing temperature.
Summary
Using an ice pack to relieve headache pain and discomfort is a cheap and reasonably safe option. When it comes to migraine treatment, the more options for treatment you have, the better. Ice packs, in combination with other pain-relieving treatments like heat therapy, can help you get back on track. If you experience severe or frequent headaches, make sure to inform your doctor.
