One of the primary triggers for migraine headaches is stress; therefore, a vacation in and of itself might be enough to relieve some of the symptoms of migraines. The chance to get away from daily stresses and relax can work wonders. However, anyone with kids knows that simply leaving the house is no sure-fire cure, and sometimes a vacation may actually be more stressful than staying home. However, that doesn’t mean that a vacation couldn’t help with migraine pain. Migraines are also caused by environmental factors, so getting away to a new environment can be very beneficial.
Avoid Air Travel
One basic consideration for all migraine suffers is to choose a vacation that is relatively close. While it is exciting to travel to exotic locales, it is miserable to have a serious migraine attack and then have to brace yourself for a cross-Atlantic flight. Additionally, airline travel in general has been shown to be a strong trigger for many migraine sufferers. It might be better to stick within driving distance for vacations until your migraines are manageable enough that you feel comfortable being thousands of miles away from your primary physician.
Clear the Air
Another trigger for many sufferers is air or noise pollution, particular when combined with other stress factors. For example, traffic jams in major cities combine several triggers all into one pain-filled package. A good vacation for this type of migraine is camping, particularly in one of the rural states. For example, Minnesota has hundreds of campgrounds with a variety of amenities to avoid modern pollution, combined with the added benefit of the medical facilitates of the Twin Cities nearby.
There is also evidence that temperature extremes may increase the risk of migraines, so another great destination is the temperate climate of Southern California. With the smallest variation in climate of any of the continental 48, wide-ranging cultural attractions, and varied terrain, it may be an excellent choice for migraine suffers with sensitivities to extremes.
Lifestyle Vacations
If alcohol is a migraine trigger, there are several vacation options that can help curb those temptations. For instance, one of the more charming vacation destinations are the Amish villages scattered throughout Ohio and the rest of the Midwest. Visitors get a glimpse of a simple lifestyle, enjoy the amazing foods, buy outstanding homemade furniture, and generally bask in a slow-paced life all without the temptation to throw down a few brews at the end of the day.
Be Prepared
Wherever you decide to go for your vacation, the number one rule for migraine sufferers is to come prepared. Bring any medications that you may need as well as contact information for your medical provider in case of an emergency. Research your destination and become familiar with the location of nearby medical facilities and pharmacies so that you can locate them quickly while you’re traveling.
By choosing an appropriate destination and planning ahead, your next vacation can be free of the worry and pain of migraine headache attacks. That should make any vacation a pleasant getaway.
Heather Johnson is a writer for Honeymoon Destinations, the leading online honeymoon planning resource. Learn all about the best honeymoon destinations today!
How do you avoid migraines while traveling?
