TIPS FOR MANAGING CHRONIC MIGRAINES AND ONLINE CLASSES
Hey y'all! I suffer from chronic migraines and was diagnosed in 8th grade. Because of covid, many classes are being offered mostly or fully online still and for those of y'all like me, this really sucks. I've found a few tricks to help manage the migraines and reduce the attacks so I want to share them with y'all. I'd love it if you guys added your own tips too!!!!
Blue light glasses. This one is everywhere but it's important. One thing I found that helps reduce the number of migraines from staring at screens is definitely that.
Set your computer to night mode if possible. It neutralizes the cool tones and gives your computer a warm tone instead which is much easier on the eyes.
Walmart has these gel eyemasks for like $5 that you stick in the fridge or freezer. It is amazing! It fits and wears like a sleep mask and you CAN sleep in it too. The gel beads inside hold the cold for a long time and block light pretty well too!
Focus mostly on the noise and try to spend more time looking at your paper taking notes than at the screen, especially if there is a lot of light changes.
Know your symptoms. Symptoms can start 24 hours before an attack. For me, it's nausea, head throbbing, inability to get my eyes to focus, decreased attention. Start to monitor your symptoms so you know ahead of time about an attack and can try to prepare.
Stay hydrated and cool.
Limit noises around. Besides light, noise can be a big trigger as well.
Try using noise canceling earphone
Keep hair down or pulled up loosely.
Start keeping a diary for your migraines. Record what you do, eat, drink, etc. You might find a food trigger! For me dairy ALWAYS triggers a migraine tha day or the next.
To help keep your head cool, try placing cold rags on your shoulders instead of your face to help cool down the blood in your neck
Stress is also believed to be a cause of migraines (obviously), so make sure you're taking care of yourself and taking walks, stretching, relaxing, etc
Caffeine can help increase heart rate and blood flow, so if you feel an attack, try to avoid caffeine (even though it helps push through the exhausted, fatigue phase before the headache)
I've heard people say that scalp massages helped as well as face massages, though I have not tried these personally
Try to limit your screen time
Talk to your professor. See if there are arrangements that can be made to help. Maybe if it's a lecture, they could post audio versions so you can listen without watching
Record the class and just listen to audio if possible
If you wear glasses, keep your prescription up to date
