Migraine Ireland

It's not too long since we mentioned Exercise and Migraine here, but the first E in SEEDS stands for Exercise. As we know, it's a double-edged sword with migraine. Aerobic exercise has been shown to improve migraine by lowering the severity or frequency of attacks, but it is by no means a case of 'just going for a walk' as many people with migraine have been advised.

Even a walk can badly affect you if you're in the middle of an attack or worsening symptoms, and if you live with balance or weakness issues that come with migraine, then going for a walk across the room can be nigh-on impossible, never mind the road, around the block or to the park!

If however you can and want to walk to help with migraine, then here is a nice article from the Gold Coast Headache & Migraine Clinic in Australia. There is some great advice here. https://goldcoastmigraine.com.au/walk-it-off-discover-headache-relief-through-walking/

Just remember that it's important you prepare correctly, wear something comfortable, wear proper shoes, have water before, during and after exercising or indeed playing a sport of any kind. Try to have a healthy snack about an hour before hand to avoid the sudden drop in blood sugar that may also be triggering for migraine. Warm up before and cool down afterwards. And enjoy the release of those endorphins, which may help to relieve your pain and make you feel better.

Did you know? 40% of people living with migraine say that physical activity is a trigger for them. This is unfortunate because exercise is recommended to keep the brain healthy as well as the body.

Now that we're are in the midst of a certain world sporting tournament, and with others famous sporting events coming up, many of us will want to be out there playing soccer, Gaelic, hurling, tennis, golf, and yes even cricket.

Physical exercise, either alone or in combination with other triggers has the potential to trigger attacks or make migraine worse.

Even so, researchers are now finding evidence that moderate exercise can actually reduce the frequency and severity of migraine in some people. So regular exercise can be effective in preventing migraine. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1555933/
https://doi.org/10.1111/head.14951


Men's Health Forum in Ireland