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I never really suffered from headaches in my life.

But going through my divorce gave me enough of a headache to more than make up for it.

I can only imagine having to deal with preexisting migraines and then only stoke the fire more by having to endure a contentious divorce.

Recently a reader reached out to me and asked if he could submit an article dealing with this double whammy and offer some potential methods to mitigate the suffering.

Going through a divorce can be very distressing, but it can be even more so if you have a migraine.

You might find that when going through a divorce, your migraine seems a bit worse than normal.

So, can a divorce actually make your headache even more terrible?

This article will explore more behind what causes a migraine, how a divorce can affect it, and the best tips to naturally alleviate headache side effects.

What is a Migraine?

A migraine is a type of headache that usually affects one side of your head.

This can result in various symptoms, including nausea, facial dullness, dizziness, and nasal congestion.

Migraines come in many different forms.

One of the most frequent is the common migraine, also known as migraine without aura.

This causes pain on one side of your head and often results in nausea.

Another type of migraine is the complicated migraine.

This not only forms throbbing sensations throughout your head, but can create strange shapes and colors in your eyes.

Sometimes migraines can even cause temporary blindness.

This is known as a retinal migraine and the vision impairment can last anywhere from a few days to months.

While all of these are painful in their own way, the most severe form of migraine is the cluster headache.

This migraine not only creates strong throbbing pain throughout your head, but burning sensations as well.

Because of this, it can affect your sinuses causing you to have a runny nose and swollen eyes.

What Causes Migraines?

Migraines can be triggered by many different things.

•       Hormonal imbalances
•       Your diet
•       Stress
•       Anxiety or depression
•       Bright lights
•       Strong smells

Why Would a Divorce Worsen Your Migraine?

A divorce can make your migraine significantly worse because it adds stress to your life.

This can overwhelm your body causing it to become tense.

You might also eat certain food, like those high in sugar, to cope with your troubles, only to find that it’s making the problem worse.

6 Ways to Naturally Treat Migraines

Take a Shower

A warm shower can relax tense muscles which can calm painful sensations caused by migraines.

This is because it’s a form of heat therapy which is known to block pain receptors to provide you with relief.

Standing in the shower for 30 minutes can help to calm your migraine while relaxing your body.

Get a Massage

Massage therapy relieves tight muscles which stops painful migraine symptoms and prevents future attacks.

It will work to block pain receptors to provide you with quick relief and will encourage your body to release large amounts of serotonin which can regulate your mood and help you function better when dealing with a migraine.

Use Chiropractic Care

Migraines can be caused by tension, stress, or a type of musculoskeletal misalignment.

Chiropractic care works to stop this by releasing tense areas and ensuring your spine and muscles are aligned.

Because your spine is connected to your brain, any misalignment you might have can increase the severity of your migraine.

A chiropractor will ensure that your spine is aligned with the help of certain techniques.

These adjustments will also reduce tension in your back or neck that could cause migraines to occur frequently.

In addition to this, a chiropractor will give some tips you can use to prevent future muscle tension.

This includes focusing on using proper posture and adding vitamin B to your diet.

This vitamin has a large amount of folic acid which has been shown to calm migraine symptoms.

Change Your Diet

Some food items can actually trigger or make your migraine worse, like coffee, cheese, yeast, and wine.

Because of this, it might be good to eliminate these items and replace them with food that can prevent these excruciating headaches.

There are plenty of options to add to your diet to treat migraines. Some include:

•       Sweet potatoes
•       Spinach
•       Brown rice
•       Cranberries
•       Cherries
•       Avocado
•       Almonds

Try to Exercise

The last thing many want to do when suffering from a migraine is exercise, but physical activity can be very beneficial at combating migraines.

Aerobic exercise is the best to use to treat migraines.

Some activities to try are swimming, running, or yoga.

Walking is also helpful because it reduces stress and releases endorphins, a natural painkiller.

Drink Water

It’s crucial to stay hydrated when you have a migraine.

By drinking water, it will help to release electrolytes.

These minerals work to regulate your nerve functioning.

It also prevents dehydration which can cause your muscles to contract, something which can result in painful migraines.

Ideally, drink at least six glasses of water per day.

This will ensure your body is hydrated.

Migraines can be difficult to deal with, especially if you’re going through a divorce.

However, by keeping these tips in mind, you can naturally reduce migraines and their side effects.

References

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1071909116000085

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025619616001269

Author Bio:

Dr. Brent Wells, D.C. founded Better Health Chiropractic & Physical Rehab and has been a chiropractor for over 20 years.

Besides chiropractic care, his practice has also treated patients from different health problems through physical therapy and massage therapy.

He is a proud member of the American Chiropractic Association and the American Academy of Spine Physicians.

He continues his education to remain active and updated in all studies related to neurology, physical rehab, biomechanics, spine conditions, brain injury trauma, and more.

Note:

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Even a steadfast DIY’er can sometimes gain benefit from the occasional professional input.

-Xrayvsn