Who is not stressed these days? “Stress” has become the most commonly used word by kids, tweens, teens, adults, seniors, and almost every single person. College can be stressful to you, work can be stressful to you and even some days can be stressful to you.
When you are stressed what happens next? Definitely, your productivity will go down, you will not be able to focus, and might have difficulty recalling something. What are the further issues that stress can have on you? Can stress lead to something else such as a headache or a migraine? Let us find out.
Can Stress Cause Migraine? Know More!
A migraine is when you have constant and disturbing headaches that last long and cause the side of your head to ache. Some people also experience nausea and it can also affect their vision. Migraine is not to be mistaken as a headache, it is worse than a headache.
What causes migraine? This has not been answered accurately by the studies but many factors that can trigger migraine have been identified, anyway. Stress is one of these factors that triggers migraines in many people.
Stress, The Migraine Trigger
You will identify that you are stressed most of the time. In case you have any difficulty with that, here are some of the most common symptoms of stress that the majority of people experience.
Common Symptoms Of Stress
- Muscle pain
- Fatigue
- Upset stomach
- A hike in blood pressure
- Gets irritated easily
- Feeling sad
- Or even depressed
When this stress remains with you, it can lead to migraine and it does not start all of a sudden. Sometimes the stress-triggered migraine might not last that long, but sometimes it can last for one week or so. When you are getting a severe migraine you will be able to exercise these symptoms before that.
Also Check:- Natural Ways To Lower Cortisol Levels: Stress Reduction Techniques
Common Symptoms Of Migraine
- Severe pain on one side of the head
- Mood swings
- Nausea
- Disturbed vision
- Tingling in arms, legs, even in the face
- Sensitivity to lights and sounds
- Tiredness
- Fatigue
- Food cravings
- A feeling of tenderness in the muscles
How To Cope With Stress-Induced Migraine?
- Breathing exercises
- Guided meditation
- Yoga
- By not stressing yours again
- Get enough sleep
- Eat properly
- Stay hydrated
- Dim the lights
- Hot bath
- Cold towel on the forehead
- Medication
These are some of the tips to cope with stress and you can try that. However, all these might not be able to completely relieve the migraine and give you relaxation. What it can do for you is to reduce the impact that it has on you. It can help you to slow down the symptoms a little bit.
When you feel that you are not able to take the headache anymore then you should consult a doctor. Medications can prevent further migraine to an extent. Trying to get good sleep and practicing healthy lifestyle habits can also help you with this.
Read More:- The Role of Stress Hormones in Weight Management
To Take Away
Avoiding stress might not be as easy as it is said. However, you can try to find the reason or situation that causes stress to you and try to reduce that. When you feel stressed you should take a break from what has been stressing you and try to relax by doing breathing exercises. In several cases of migraine, you can also consult a doctor, describe your situation, and ask for some medicines.
FAQs
Q. How long do stress migraines last?
It depends on the person and the intensity of the stress. It might go away within 30 minutes and can take as long as 7 days to go away. If the reason that has caused stress to you has not been solved, then the migraine caused by the stress can also last longer.
Q. How do you relieve stress migraines?
You can take a hot shower, use a heating pad, do a warm compress, and can also use a hot towel. Some people also try keeping an ice-cold cloth on their forehead.
Q. Where do stress migraines hurt?
When you have stress migraines you will feel pain and a worse kind of headache. The pain will affect your forehead, the back of the head, and also the sides of the head. Some might have pain in the neck, shoulders, and even in the scalp.
