Men and Migraines
Women and children have migraines more frequently than men do, but there are men who suffer from this type of headache also. The intensity of the migraines is as strong as in women and children, but the side effects are usually different than the side effects a woman or child will experience.
Migraines that afflict women usually cause nausea, vomiting, as well as sensitivities to light and sound. A male’s migraine often is the frontal headache, known as a one sided headache. The symptoms that accompany this type of migraine are congestion in the nasal passages and just one eye that tears up. Migraines manifest in men and women differently, but are no less intensely painful.
Due to the fact that it is unusual for men to have migraines, men often confuse the symptoms of allergies or a sinus infection as the problem rather than a migraine. Men do not seek medical attention for headaches, even ones as intense as a migraine as often as women or children will, so men often suffer when there is no need. There are both holistic remedies and conventional medications that can help relieve migraines in both genders. Because of social stigmas about men having migraines, men will not often state that they are suffering from a migraine. The male psyche in business tends to push the attitude that men with headaches or migraines are under too much stress and are not capable of handling what it takes to get the job done. This kicks in the male ego and this ego needs to prove that the man is strong no matter how much pain they are in.
Because male migraines are a sort of “taboo” subject, the men who do suffer need to be educated about their condition. Self-medicating can worsen symptoms and frequency of migraines when the medications that the man is taking are for allergies or sinus problems and that is not what is wrong. The symptoms of the migraine often mimic a sinus headache, but there are other signs that the headache is not due to allergies or sinuses, but a true migraine. These symptoms include:
- Auras
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Restlessness
- Loss of appetite
- Vertigo
- Ringing in the ears
Conventional Remedies
Men who experience severe headaches are probably suffering from migraines if the headaches are frequent. Taking aspirin worsens a migraine rather than helps it; here are a few of the medications that do help migraines:
- Midrin
- Maxalt (rizatriptan)
- Topamax (topiramate)
Each of these medications is obtained after being diagnosed by a health care physician and given a prescription.
Holistic Remedies
There are holistic remedies that have been reported to aid in relieving migraines. Please remember that even though a holistic remedy is often with plants such as spices and herbs, flowers made into teas, they all contain drug properties and you can overdose on them. Be careful and get advice from individuals who are skilled in holistic remedies. Here are some of the holistic remedies we found:
- Magnesium
- Feverfew
- Cayenne pepper
- Niacin
- Cabbage leaves
- Spinach and carrot juice
- Beet, Cucumber and carrot juice
- Massage
- Foot massage
Preventing Migraines
By avoiding the triggers that will kick off a migraine, you may be able to stop it before it starts. Here are some tried and true tips that will help you avoid a migraine. The following tips are all holistic natural remedies:
- Prevent a headache by drinking lots of water. Dehydration is one of the main causes of a headache, including a migraine.
- Slow down on the alcohol consumption. Alcohol disrupts natural sleep patterns, and dehydrates you as well. Not only do you have a headache, you are grumpy as well when the effects of the alcohol buzz wears off.
- Get enough sleep, but not too much. The body needs a regular sleep pattern in order to regulate itself. The secret is finding the right balance between too much and too little. The body has enough time to relax and refresh with regular sleep patterns.
- You are what you eat, so we have been told for many years. A diet that is healthy gives your body the fuel it needs to function smoothly. Adding regular exercise helps in various ways as well. The more stress that can be burned up through healthy exercise, like walking, jogging, playing a sport, the better your body can handle daily stress without kicking into a migraine.
Before self-medicating, please consult a conventional physician or a holistic practitioner that is certified and accredited. Migraines can be symptoms of something more serious going on and it should be diagnosed by a health care practitioner rather than self-diagnosed.