How to Deal With Headaches and Migraines In and Out of Ramadan
I'm a headache sufferer… and when Ramadan comes around, I get anxious. I know that I'll suffer from migraines for the first few days, and my headaches can get so bad that I feel nauseous! In Ramadan, after breaking my fast, it would intensify, and regular painkillers would not help relieve the pain. I'd need to go to my bedroom in the pitch dark to sleep it off till the next day.
If you are a headache or migraine sufferer, you'll know how debilitating it can be -I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy! I've done a lot of research on migraines in general and headache prevention in Ramadan, so I have many theories on why some of us get them and various relief methods.
I hope the suggestions I share in this post will help if you're someone who has headaches that affect your life.
Some relief methods I've Discovered:
Yoga exercise for migraines
To stop drinking coffee.
To take painkillers at suhoor time.
To abstain from certain types of foods.
Here are my results from these methods
The yoga exercises did help by releasing tension and took the edge off my migraines, but they didn't take it away. Then too, when you're in the middle of a migraine, you don't want to do anything hectic! It was also time-consuming to do the exercises, so far from a quick fix.
I did find a link to coffee being one of the culprits of headaches due to caffeine. This year out of Ramadan, I stopped drinking coffee from two cups daily to one or two cups a week, months before Ramadan began. My body adjusted to this out of Ramadan, so my headaches returned as soon as I had more cups. This was a good indicator of the effects of coffee, as I only had one migraine the next Ramadan and only on the first day.
As for taking painkillers at suhoor, they only helped if I took strong ones. A friend suggested I try Advil, as it was the only one that helped her. So I did, and it helped, but I didn't see myself taking long-term painkillers due to the side effects. I was not too fond of the idea of taking pills before I had a headache, in case I didn't get one that day and took pills for nothing.
Some Breakthroughs I've Discovered
From my extensive research, I've discovered some methods that are useful for relief, such as:
Taking magnesium supplements and eating magnesium-rich foods beforehand.
Placing an ice pack on your head or a cold eye mask over your eyes, depending on the type of headache you have.
Pressing on your pressure points for headache relief. Pinching the skin between your forefinger and thumb or pressing both your earlobes between your fingers.
Massaging your temples, neck, and shoulders with oil containing essentials oils that help relieve headaches.
Here's the cherry on top...
My 10-year-old son loves to learn about science and the human body, alhumdulillah. One day, when I asked him to bring me some painkillers as I lay in bed with a cold mask over my eyes, he suggested I eat 15-20 almonds. He said that he had learned that it is equivalent to taking two painkillers.
Of course, I didn't believe him because how could he know such a thing when I had never heard of almonds helping headaches in all my research! But I was desperate and in pain from my migraine, so I gave it a try and munched down 20 almonds, and it worked. Wow, alhumdulillah, I was blown away!
I researched almonds for headaches, and it seems that they CAN relieve a headache or minimize the frequency of migraines for some people! Almonds contain an ingredient called salicin, which is a primary by-product of aspirin. Almonds also contain magnesium, the anti-stress mineral, which relaxes muscles and nerves and is particularly good for tension headaches.
Therefore, I urge you to try this if you're a headache sufferer like me. It may work for you too, plus almonds are a Sunnah food, so I'm sure it has other fantastic health benefits! Oh, and on another note, keep your kids reading good books lol; they learn so much.😉
I found another cherry on top (making it a double) days after writing this post. I felt it was crucial to share another fantastic breakthrough in searching for migraine relief. A scholar was talking about healing with the Quran, and in one of their lessons, they mentioned that a cure for headaches is to place your hand on your forehead and recite Sura Al-Fatiha.
Alhumdulillah, I tried this once, and it did work (of course it would)! I genuinely feel it works because you believe that Allah SWT will cure your headache as you recite this beautiful sura. Plus, the Quran is a miracle for us!
Some Natural Product Recommendations That Promote Headache Relief
Other Headache Relief Suggestions By Readers
I asked readers to share their best headache relief tips, and they said:
Get proper hydration often.
Have good sleep patterns and get enough sleep.
Find your food triggers which may be things like gluten and dairy.
Find out if you have hormone imbalances.
See if you have too much stress in your life as this is a significant culprit we don’t blame enough.
Besides taking magnesium supplements alone, try it with B2 vitamins as well.
Now you have some great ways to help with headaches and migraines during and after Ramadan. I pray it grants you relief or, even better, a cure! Please note that this post about headache and migraine relief is based on my personal experience only. It is always best to confirm any medical information with your healthcare professional.
Salam, I’m Zakeeya!
I believe that making our homes a safe haven for our families, as well as being a wife and mother, brings us great blessings, contentment, and benefits to society as a whole. Since 2011, I've been dedicated to assisting Muslimas in finding tranquility in their roles, taking better care of themselves, and achieving inner peace. Our journey in this world is not an easy one, but I pray the tools and guidance I offer will help you face life's challenges with more gratitude and mindfulness. Join me as I share wifehood, motherhood, homemaking, and lifestyle solutions that make life more fulfilling for you as a woman! Read more about me here.
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