How to Ease Nausea During a Migraine

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Drink water.

   Dehydration can worsen symptoms of migraine, as well as making the symptoms harder to treat by other methods.Try to drink water even if in small sips to help avoid making your nausea worse.
   
   Many migraine sufferers experience what is called a prodromal period of the migraine, which is the presence of symptoms before the truly painful attack of the headache.
   
   This period may include increased sensitivity to light and sound, as well as seeing a clouding or patterned change in your vision known as a visual “aura.” For best results, begin drinking water as soon as you identify the prodromal period of your oncoming migraine.
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   Step 2: Loosen your clothing.

   Pressure against your abdomen can increase the perception of nausea.If possible, remove tight-fitting clothing and put on something comfortable and loose fitting.
   
   If you’re at work or someplace else where changing isn’t possible, remove (or at least loosen) your belt and undo the top button of your pants. , By reducing other symptoms of your migraine, you can also help alleviate the associated nausea and discomfort.
   
   One of the most common symptoms of migraine is sensitivity to light and sound.Try secluding yourself to a dark room with minimal amounts of outside noise.If the silence leads you to focus too much on the nausea or throbbing headache, then try music you find soothing at a very low volume. , Many OTC pain relievers (such as Tylenol and Excedrin) have special formulas meant to target migraines.Take according to the manufacturer’s recommended dosage, and never exceed the specified daily amount on the packaging.
   
   Most OTC formulas for migraine work better than normal formulas because they contain both acetaminophen and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), which are usually packaged separately.However, they contain the substances in a safe balance.
   
   Many also contain caffeine.
   
   You should not mix OTC drugs on your own. , Caffeine can assist in relieving migraine pain.You can try having a small cup of coffee or a portion of a caffeinated soda to help alleviate pain.
   
   This can often help enhance the pain-relieving effect of an OTC painkiller, especially acetaminophen (Tylenol).Beware that caffeine is one of the substances that can also trigger migraines in some sufferers.Discontinue trying this step if it seems to worsen or elongate your migraine and nausea symptoms. , Try both hot and cold compresses both on your head and the back of your neck.Migraine sufferers have reported both being helpful, but the effect is different for each individual.
   
   You may respond well to warm compresses but hate cold ones.
   
   See what works for you.
   
   Ice packs can have a numbing effect on the pain, whereas hot compresses can help relieve muscle tension.Always wrap ice packs in a towel and alternate fifteen-minute periods of applying and taking away the pack to avoid any potential tissue damage from the cold. , You may find that eating something bland can help to settle your stomach.
   
   Try to eat small amounts of bland food, like dry saltine crackers or plain yogurt.
   
   Pace yourself while eating, taking small bites of food to keep from overwhelming your stomach.Eating heavy meals can increase the pressure inside your stomach.
   
   With increased pressure, your nausea will get worse and may even lead to vomiting. , Since stress and exertion are two common migraine triggers, simply trying to relax is another way to help with symptoms.For best results, try to identify your oncoming migraine in the prodromal stage before the onset of pain.
   
   Try to get off your feet and remove yourself from a stressful environment during this stage of your migraine before it has a chance to get worse.
   
   If you practice yoga or other forms of meditation, these can also assist with relaxation in a way the helps with migraine symptoms., Progressive muscle relaxation is one common technique that can help with migraine symptoms.Starting with your toes and working toward your head, tense individual muscle groups for five seconds before progressively relaxing them for thirty seconds.After each group, move to the next in ascending order.
   
   This technique helps you focus on both muscle tension and relaxation throughout your whole body.In addition to the relaxing effects, the focus on other portions of your body will disrupt your fixation on the migraine symptoms.
   
   Pay special focus on relaxing your abdominal muscles since tension here can increase the perception of nausea. , Nausea can be a vicious cycle, especially if you actually vomit and prolong your nausea due to the acrid taste in your mouth.
   
   Rinse your mouth or brush your teeth and tongue to avoid making your nausea worse or last longer than necessary. , Ginger has been associated with both migraine prevention and nausea relief, and some have reported reduced pain and frequency of migraines while using ginger.Either fresh or powdered ginger steeped to make tea is the most common way to use ginger, though fresh is preferred if it is available.
   
   You can also simply eat fresh ginger.
   
   However, the strong taste of ginger may be too much for the increased senses of taste and smell that can worsen nausea for migraine sufferers. , Different scents can have either beneficial or detrimental effects when it comes to nausea symptoms.
   
   Lavender and peppermint are two common smells that people find calming.Consider using one or two drops of an essential oil on a cotton ball to see if these scents help calm the gastrointestinal spasms contributing to your nausea. , Peppermint contains menthol which may be effective in treating migraine pain as well as easing nausea triggered by a migraine.
   
   Peppermint soothes the lining of your stomach thereby treating nausea.Take a teaspoon of peppermint leaves and add them to a cup of water.
   
   Cover the water and allow it to steep for about five minutes.
   
   Add honey to taste. , Acupressure is a practice based on the same strategies used in acupuncture, except that you use pressure from your finger and not needles.
   
   Pressing points helps to release muscle tension and promote blood circulation to the area.Pressure point P-6 is a point on the inner arm that helps to relieve nausea and vomiting.
   
   Position your hand with your fingers pointing to the ceiling.
   
   Your palm should face you.
   
   Place the first three fingers of your other hand across your wrist so the fingers are running down the length of your arm.
   
   Place your thumb on the point just below the finger closest to the elbow, you should feel two large tendons.
   
   Press on this point using a circular motion for two to three minutes.
   
   This should not elicit any pain.
   
   Repeat on the other side.
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   Step 3: Turn off the lights.

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   Step 4: Take an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever.

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   Step 5: Have a caffeinated drink.

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   Step 6: Use hot or cold compresses.

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   Step 7: Eat bland foods and avoid heavy meals.

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   Step 8: Relax.

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   Step 9: Try progressive muscle relaxation.

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    Step 10: Keep your breath fresh.

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    Step 11: Drink ginger tea.

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    Step 12: Use aromatherapy.

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    Step 13: Experiment with peppermint.

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    Step 14: Try acupressure.

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