Wiki Migraine

When someone is experiencing a severe migraine attack, the goal of first aid is to alleviate pain, manage symptoms, and prevent the migraine from becoming more intense or prolonged. While migraines often require medical treatment, there are several immediate steps you can take to provide relief and help manage the symptoms in the short term.

1. Find a Quiet, Dark Space

• Why it helps: Migraines are often triggered or worsened by light and sound. A dark, quiet environment helps reduce sensory stimuli that can make the migraine worse.
• How to do it: Encourage the person to rest in a dark, cool room or a quiet space where they can lie down comfortably. Minimize distractions by turning off lights, dimming screens, and lowering noise levels.

2. Encourage Rest and Relaxation

• Why it helps: Stress and tension can exacerbate migraines. Resting in a comfortable position, preferably lying down, helps reduce muscle tension and allows the body to relax.
• How to do it: Encourage the person to rest with their head elevated slightly and their body in a relaxed position. Try to avoid movement, as sudden shifts may make the headache worse.

3. Hydrate

• Why it helps: Dehydration is a common migraine trigger. Ensuring adequate hydration can prevent the migraine from worsening.
• How to do it: Offer small sips of water to prevent dehydration. Avoid caffeinated or sugary beverages, as they can contribute to dehydration or may trigger further headaches.

4. Apply Cold or Warm Compress

• Why it helps: Cold or warm compresses can relieve pain by reducing inflammation and improving circulation.
• How to do it:
  • Cold compress: Apply a cold pack or a clean cloth soaked in cold water to the forehead, temples, or the back of the neck. This can numb the area and provide pain relief.
  • Warm compress: For some people, applying a warm compress (like a heating pad or warm cloth) to the back of the neck or shoulders can help relax tense muscles and ease pain.

5. Over-the-Counter Pain Relief

• Why it helps: Non-prescription medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil), or naproxen (Aleve) can provide relief for mild to moderate migraines.
• How to do it: If the person is not already using prescription medications, offering an appropriate over-the-counter pain reliever can help manage the pain. Make sure the person has no contraindications to the medication (e.g., allergies, liver disease, or stomach issues).

6. Use Migraine-Specific Medication (If Prescribed)

• Why it helps: If the person has been prescribed migraine-specific medications (e.g., triptans like sumatriptan), they should use them as directed. These medications are designed to target the root causes of migraines.
• How to do it: Make sure the person takes the medication as soon as they feel a migraine coming on, or as instructed by their doctor. If the person has difficulty swallowing pills, you can help them with alternative forms of medication (such as nasal sprays or injections) if prescribed.

7. Nausea Relief

• Why it helps: Nausea is a common symptom of migraines. Relieving nausea can improve comfort and reduce distress.
• How to do it:
  • Ginger: Offer ginger tea or ginger candies, which can help alleviate nausea.
  • Anti-nausea medication: If prescribed by a doctor, medications like ondansetron or metoclopramide can help control nausea. Alternatively, some over-the-counter medications for nausea (like dramamine) may help.
  • Acupressure: Applying pressure to the P6 point (located on the inside of the wrist, about two inches down from the base of the palm) has been shown to help relieve nausea in some people.

8. Encourage Relaxation Techniques

• Why it helps: Stress and tension often worsen migraines. Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and meditation can help reduce pain and anxiety.
• How to do it:
  • Deep breathing: Guide the person to take slow, deep breaths in and out, focusing on relaxing the body. This can help reduce anxiety and muscle tension.
  • Progressive muscle relaxation: Encourage the person to slowly tense and then relax different muscle groups in their body, starting from the toes and working up to the head.

9. Avoid Triggers

• Why it helps: Certain factors, such as strong smells, loud noises, or bright lights, can worsen migraines.
• How to do it: Ensure the person is in a safe environment, free of triggers. Turn off bright lights, reduce noise, and avoid strong scents (such as perfumes or cooking odors).

10. Consider Using Magnesium or Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)

• Why it helps: Magnesium and riboflavin (vitamin B2) have been shown to help reduce migraine frequency and intensity in some people.
• How to do it: If the person has been advised to take magnesium or vitamin B2 as part of their preventive regimen, ensure they follow through with these supplements.

11. Monitor for Signs of Emergency

• Why it helps: While most migraines can be managed at home, it’s important to monitor for signs of a more serious condition (e.g., stroke, brain bleed, or meningitis).
• What to do:
  • Seek emergency medical help immediately if the migraine is accompanied by symptoms such as sudden vision loss, numbness, speech difficulty, or severe confusion.
  • Sudden, severe headache that feels like the worst headache of the person’s life should also prompt immediate medical attention.

12. Rest After Initial Treatment

• Why it helps: After implementing initial first aid, encourage the person to rest for a few hours in a comfortable and quiet setting.
• How to do it: Make sure the person has a comfortable space to relax, free from distractions. Sometimes, sleep can help reduce migraine intensity and allow the body to recover.

When to Seek Professional Medical Help:

Even with first aid measures, severe migraine attacks that don’t improve with initial interventions or that have unusual symptoms may require medical intervention. Seek professional help if:

• The pain becomes intractable or doesn’t respond to medication.
• Neurological symptoms like numbness, weakness, confusion, or vision changes occur.
• The person has persistent vomiting or cannot keep fluids down.
• The person has a new-onset headache or migraine after age 50.
• Symptoms suggest meningitis (fever, stiff neck) or other infections.

By following these first aid steps, you can help provide immediate relief to someone experiencing a severe migraine and reduce the risk of the migraine worsening. Always be aware of any signs that might suggest a more serious underlying condition and seek medical help if needed.