Don't Use Salt for Migraines. Do This Instead.
You've probably seen blog articles or Facebook posts touting salt as a miracle migraine cure. You're supposed to put some salt in a glass of water with some lemon juice and drink it. I'm very skeptical about this purported "cure." To be fair, I haven't tried it. So, I won't say that it absolutely doesn't work.
As far as I can tell, people who propose using salt to stop migraines claim that sodium deficiency leads to migraines. I don't know of any research that suggests this is true. I suppose it could possibly be a culprit in some cases.
Any type of imbalance in your body, including a sodium imbalance, could affect your brain cells and begin the migraine process. But if you look at the typical American diet, it seems very unlikely to me that many of us are suffering from a sodium deficiency. Probably just the opposite -- most of us are getting too much sodium. And too much sodium can raise your blood pressure to unhealthy levels.
I think a lot of people have shared this "salt cure" in a helpful spirit. Migraine pain can be devastating leading to a sense of desperation and willingness to try anything new. But in my research I've also seen a lot of web pages with outlandish claims.
One webpage, for example, tells us:
"This salt can help in reducing migraine’s acting, thus reducing headaches, strengthening the immunity, increasing levels of energy, balancing levels of serotonin in the bloodstream, restoring body’s electrolyte and alkaline balance and so much more."
Now, all that said, I won't deny that it is at least possible that an electrolyte deficiency or imbalance could cause or worsen a migraine. If you don't have blood pressure issues and want to try it, it probably won't hurt. It's probably best to use a high quality salt
What I Do Instead
Your main focus should be on trying to prevent migraines with natural supplements, prescription medicines, lifestyle changes, etc. Trying to stop a migraine that has already started can be very difficult. There is a home remedy that works, at least sometimes.
When you have a migraine put an ice pack on your neck. Also put your hands and/or feet in very warm water. Don't hurt yourself, but make the water as warm as you can comfortably stand. This probably won't abort a full-blown migraine, but it might provide some level of relief.
There is a sound explanation for why this works. When you have a migraine headache, the blood vessels in your head and neck dilate. This is one of the main causes of the excruciating pain. The ice pack on the neck can cause the blood vessels to constrict back down to normal and the warm water has the opposite effect on your hands and feet drawing blood to them and away from your neck.
Let us know what you think! Scroll down to leave a comment.
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Migrastil Migraine Stick Aromatherapy Roll-On is Stronger than Migraines!
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Hello,
I m really tired if this migraine headache, it’s been on for 5 years now.i m happy to read that salt intake can help.i stopped taking salt a long time ago. I sure will try it out now
I get migraines because of dehydration. If I don’t drink around 3 litres of liquid spread throughout the day Or if I eat salted crisps or salted peanuts in the evening – it triggers a migraine. Once I have the migraine I can’t eat or drink at sll for around two days. I always thought the salt dehydrated me more and triggered the migraine. Maybe I’m unusual.
Lets hit this with a bit of science shall we?
Americans eat too much sodium – Myth. This is a controversial believe that is changing rapidly with countless studies. Hopefully the AHA will change their position on sodium but unfortunately the new studies proving the salt consumption status quo being wrong are just too new to make any changes as of yet.
Salt raises blood pressure and causes headaches – Myth. Recent studies have proven that low sodium diets actually have a greater risk of high blood pressure and other potentially life threatening ailments – also more minor but debilitating symptoms such as head aches.
Himalayan Salt is better than regular salt – Myth. A bad myth to say the least. Himalayan salt does contain a number of trace minerals that regular table salt does not have. However, the pink stuff contains such small amount of these minerals you would have to ingest bottles of salt just to gain any benefits. PS: Himalayan salt also contains trace amounts of radioactive items as well.. soooo Ill stick with the white stuff thanks.
Salt is a fantastic way to prevent and relief migraines. It has been proven that migraines are caused by an electrical imbalance at the cellular level – yet google scientist refuse to believe the ongoing science. Sodium increases the potential within the cells to allow for this imbalance to be reversed. There are a number of simple salt supplement capsules out there to choose from and several protocols that really seem to work for the people involved.
Critical thinking is a hard to find skill these days and unfortunately too many gimmick companies take advantage of this.
Avoid gimmicks and read up on the science. Its all there but unfortunately clouded in tons and tons of marketing scams to get you to believe in their funded alternatives.
Stick to salt supplements that contain SODIUM and maybe a bit of potassium for balance. Also look for ones that contain iodine (unless sensitive of course) as iodine has other health benefits (including but limited to) hormonal balance.
A packet of ready salted crisps at the starylt if a migrain works for me
No! If keeping hands and feet in warm water is helping with your headache, then its most likely not a migraine. For migraines you should place hands and feet in chilled water…as cold as you can safely tolerate. Plus keep the ice pack on your head and neck as it will help in constricting blood vessels in the brain which is what you need when having a migraine attack. if all else fails, zomig should help!
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