For anyone who suffers from migraines, you know that a headache can strike at any time. It can happen while you are at work, on the road, or even just at home.
To help you get through a crisis, it is important to have a headache kit on hand for getting rid of a migraine. Here are some items to include in your kit:
Medication
As anyone with migraine knows, the pain often comes without warning and can strike at any time. This makes having a headache survival kit ready to go an important step to keeping your life running smoothly even when a migraine hits while you’re on the go.
A kit with the following items can help ease your pain, nausea, and other symptoms while you wait to get back to a dark room where you can relax and focus on finding relief.
Having over-the-counter medications in your emergency kit like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is important for combating migraine pain. You can also include a prescription-strength medication called a triptan that may relieve symptoms in some people. Examples of these medications include sumatriptan (Imitrex), rizatriptan (Maxalt), and almotriptan (Axert).
For some migraine sufferers, applying ice packs to the head and neck reduces pain. Invest in a reusable gel pack or an ice roller that can be easily stored in the freezer and used on-the-go when you experience migraines. You can also carry a heating pad for a more gentle alternative to cold therapy.
Nausea is often a migraine symptom and can be hard to overcome while you’re trying to stay productive at work or school. Make sure you have some form of nausea medication on hand, such as Pepto-Bisol or an acupuncture anti-nausea wristband. If your migraines often involve sensitivity to sound, consider a pair of noise-canceling headphones in your kit.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are natural extracts of a plant that have various therapeutic properties. They can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled, and they are often used as a natural alternative to prescription medications. Peppermint oil has been shown to help relieve migraine pain and can be applied directly to the temples or neck during an attack. Other essential oils may be helpful to ease nausea or induce sleep, such as lavender or lemon.
Sensitivity to sound is common during a migraine attack, and a pair of earplugs can provide much-needed relief. Many migraine sufferers also have sensitivity to light, and an eye mask can make a huge difference during attacks. It’s also a good idea to keep an instant pack of frozen ice cubes in the fridge or car for quick and easy use during a migraine.
Migraines can be debilitating, and they seem to come at the most inconvenient times. It’s important to have a support network and plan in place for when an episode strikes. Having an emergency kit will ensure you are prepared for any situation that comes your way. Keeping an emergency contact card on hand is a great way to be sure you can get to a medical professional right away.
Ginger
The rhizome of the ginger plant (Zingiber officinale) has been used as a spice and medicine for thousands of years. Modern medical professionals recommend ginger to treat motion sickness, nausea associated with pregnancy and cancer chemotherapy, stomach upset, arthritis pain, and headaches. The anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiplatelet, and hypotensive properties of ginger have been reported in animal and human studies. The pungent phenolic compounds, gingerols and shogaols, are responsible for many of the medicinal properties of ginger.
Keeping a migraine kit on hand can help prevent and alleviate migraine symptoms. Migraine sufferers should pack the essentials when they plan on spending time away from home, such as at work or during family outings. This will ease the stress of not knowing when an attack might strike and allow them to focus on their activities without worrying about a painful episode.
A kit should include instant hot or cold packs to soothe the pain of a migraine. Many migraine sufferers are sensitive to light, so an eye mask is a must. The kit should also contain a pair of dark polarized sunglasses or migraine glasses. Many migraine attacks are triggered by stress, so keep a stress reliever, such as lavender or chamomile oil, in the kit for extra relief. The aromatherapy will help to relax the head and neck muscles, easing the tension of the migraine. The oils can be dabbed on the temples or neck to help ease the pain and reduce symptoms of a headache.
Airsickness Bag
Migraine sufferers often experience nausea, especially when they’re flying. If you’re prone to airborne vomiting, it’s important to have an air sickness bag as part of your migraine emergency kit.
Most migraine sufferers find that cold therapy is one of the most effective home remedies for pain relief, so a small pack of instant ice packs is also essential for a migraine survival kit. Keeping a few of these in the freezer can help you avoid relying on restaurants for ice, and it’s easy to carry them with you wherever you go. Some people also swear by a combination of heat and cold, so adding an ice roller to your kit can be handy for when you need a quick cooldown or to soothe tense muscles.
You can also include a small water bottle, as migraines often cause dehydration. Many people who suffer from migraines have a hard time in bright lights, so having a pair of dark sunglasses with you can be very helpful. Finally, a few of your favorite music recordings could help you forget about your headache and focus on something pleasant for a while. Make sure you have a way to keep track of your migraines, as that can help identify triggers. A migraine journal is a great option for this purpose.
Music
For some people who suffer from migraine, music can be a life saver. It can distract them from the pain, improve their mood, and stimulate the release of endorphins, which are natural pain relievers. Consider getting your loved one a playlist of their favorite soothing music that they can play in the background during a migraine attack. Creating a migraine emergency kit is a great way to help your loved ones be prepared when the next attack strikes. It will give them the tools they need to get through it with as little discomfort as possible. The more they are prepared, the better they can manage their migraines.
Dark Room
If you suffer from frequent headaches, it’s helpful to have a kit packed with go-to resources that will help you through an attack. You might not have time to prepare a full emergency kit for every headache attack, but a few essentials can save the day when you’re stuck at work or home and a bad one strikes.
Having instant hot or cold packs on hand can relieve pain and make your migraines more bearable. If you’re prone to light sensitivity, having a pair of dark polarized sunglasses or even special migraine glasses in your kit can protect your eyes from bright flashes that can trigger attacks. Earplugs can block out distracting noise and give you some peace and quiet. And, if nausea is often a side-effect of your migraines, keeping medication in your kit to prevent stomach upset will ensure you don’t have another issue to worry about.
The best tool you have for managing your migraines is your support network, and that includes medical care providers who take them seriously. If you have a doctor who does, they’ll probably be willing to do what they can to help you manage your attacks, whether that’s making sure you get in for an emergency appointment or prescribing medications. They can also talk to you about tracking your headaches and identifying possible triggers so that you can avoid them.