One of the worst things in the world is waking up with a migraine. You go to bed thinking about what you will accomplish the next time you wake up, but after some unforeseeable event in your body, you wake up an aching zombie. I have suffered with migraines my whole life. With my nineteen years of experience, I'd like to think I've learned a thing or two about my migraines.
1. Dehydration
Dehydration, I believe, is the biggest contributor to a migraine. I never drink enough liquids. That should be a well known fact about me. Another is my undying love for Yorkshire tea. Tea doesn't hydrate a person, only dehydrates them. Once I learned this fact, I tried to cut tea out of my life (and failed). Lately, I try not to let myself have more than one cup of tea. If I do have tea, I make myself drink at least two full glasses of water with it, in hopes of balancing it out. However, most days I will go with barely a half glass of liquids, let alone water. I believe this takes a toll on my head. Today for example, I believe I got my migraine because I had two cups of tea yesterday and a strawberry and lime infused water. Neither of which hydrated me. Hence the thumping head I am currently experiencing.
2. Screens
Staring at computer, phone, or television screens all day definitely doesn't help either. The majority of my migraines stem from the bottom of my head, the occipital lobe. The occipital lobe is located at the back of your cerebral cortex and is responsible for your visual processing. (I gave a presentation on it in high school. I don't just know random brain facts. lol.) Because the majority of my life is spent staring at screens for long periods of time (for enjoyment as well as for school and for a career) I start to strain my eyes. This leads to the pain in my occipital lobe which travels through my ears and onto my eyes. This reason also seems legitimate because of the sensitivity to light and sound I experience with a migraine. Even the tiniest bit of light will hurt my eyes and send my head into an unstoppable pain.
3. Heat
Finally, heat is another factor, yet I also feel it circles back to dehydration. For as long as I can remember I could never be outside during the summer for longer than 30 minutes. This was because the temperature was over 70 degrees, which would without a fail trigger a migraine. However, coming to think about it, if I drink more water will I not be as dehydrated and maybe the heat won't affect me so much? Not sure. Recently, I spent a hot day at a local amusement park. I made sure to drink several water bottles while there as well as before and after. Yet by the end of the night I found myself with a splitting migraine, which eventually lead to my head in the toilet. This not being my only experience with this, that leads me to believe that the heat also takes it's toll on my body.
The obvious answer for this migraine problem of mine would be to see a doctor and get medication, correct? Wrong. Truthfully, I have medication that I take when I feel a migraine coming on or if I already have one. The problem is, they don't help much. My migraines have always been past the point of help. Additionally, the medication I have for my migraines must be taken on a full stomach. If you have ever had a migraine like mine, you would know it is nearly impossible to eat, let alone keep everything down long enough for the medication to get in your system and work. If you try taking the medication on an empty stomach, just don't. It doesn't end well and you will be spending far too much time with your head in the toilet than you'd like.
So why am I writing about my awful migraines without a cure that randomly appear in my life and put everything on hold? I'm not sure. I guess it was just because of the time I spent lying in bed this morning thinking about the work I should be doing, but physically couldn't. Maybe it was just driving me insane. This wasn't some pity blog post. Gosh, please don't even feel bad for me or try and search for answers. I've lived with it my whole life, and it's just something I'll always have to deal with. This blog was created on a complete whim. And for some reason, I feel like I should be sharing whatever stupid or crazy thought that pops in my mind. Simple as that. No sympathy needed or wanted. Just an update. Nothing special, but still meaningful.
Much love,
Elly
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