Heartburn and Gastro-Intestinal Problems Trigger Migraines

Heartburn may always be a problem for migraineurs since migraine requires taking daily medications that causes stomach heartburns. Note that heartburns and stomach pain in general trigger migraine attacks, esp. when the migraineur feels tired.

Treatment by modifying eating and sleeping habits:

Avoid stomach-hostile foods: avoid all hot and spicy foods, acid foods (e.g. orange juice unless you consume the raw orange fruit), fatty foods, oily foods, coffee, tea, raw onions, raw garlic, gaseous drinks (e.g. sodas).

Avoid overfilling your stomach: If you take heavy meals, your stomach produces a proportionally large amount of acids in order to digest food.

Avoid acid reflux: In case of recurrent acid reflux problems, try raising the head of the bed and pillow. This would stop the acid reflux.

Eat at around three to four hours intervals: Don’t let your stomach stay empty for six hours or longer. You have to eat a snack to avoid heartburns.

avoid sleeping right after you eat.

Treatment by medication:

Antacids: chew some antacids when you feel a heartburn for a fast or quick-fix for your pain. The relief should last only for a short time.

Thyme: prepare a thyme tea and drink it. It should soothe the pain away and make you feel comfortable and relaxed.

Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda): It is not recommended for patients on a low sodium diets! Other than that baking soda is safe. Put half a tea spoon in a 6 ounce cup, stir and drink it.

Proton Pump Inhibitor: This type of drugs blocks acid production in the stomach cells. It is intended for prevention of acidic-stomach and heartburns rather than immediate relief. It is used when the patient shows little to no relief with antacids. It is usually administered for a week to two week treatment.

If you think you have a bad pain, try combining proton pump inhibitor with Gastric dressing.