Traveling to a new place is a great way to break your routine and refresh your energy. However, many people find it stressful, as those same alterations in your day-to-day life can lead to migraine attacks and other health issues.
If you are suffering from migraine in Webster, Texas, and are traveling soon, our expert team at Space City Pain has compiled a series of recommendations and tips to manage your discomfort and enjoy your trip.
Understanding Migraine Triggers While Traveling
Each migraine patient has their unique mix of triggers, but when traveling, they might be changed or exacerbated. Be aware of:
- Alterations in your sleep patterns, skipping meals, eating differently, and jumping between time zones.
- Stress and anxiety associated with travel plans
- Environmental factors such as airplane cabin pressure, noise, bright lights, and weather changes
- Dehydration or changes in your usual caffeine and/or alcohol intake
Tips for Traveling with Migraine
Pre-Travel Planning Tips
While planning your trip, you can consider these tips for working around your migraine:
- If you have identified a migraine cycle or specific triggers, make sure to work accordingly to them
- Visit your pain specialist before your trip, especially if it is a long one. Make sure to discuss medications, dosage adjustments, and emergency options.
- Following medical advice, pack a migraine kit. This might include medications, both abortive and preventive, hydration tablets, sunglasses, earplugs, a neck pillow, and even essential oils that work for you.
- Choose luggage that allows you to avoid neck and/or back strain.
Tips for Air, Road, and Train Travel
Depending on the transportation method youāre using, you will face different challenges and therefore require distinct strategies for dealing with migraine.
- For air travel, make sure to stay hydrated and avoid alcohol and caffeine on flight days. If possible, request aisle seats and use noise-cancelling headphones.
- For road trips, keep snacks and water handy, plan to take regular breaks to stretch and rest your eyes, and, if youāre a passenger, avoid reading or using your phone while the car is moving.
- For train travel, sit in quiet zones when available and wear sunglasses or hats in bright carriages.
Managing a Migraine When Traveling
When you know you are prone to migraines and are traveling, itās important to take precautions and know your starting symptoms. This way, you might act faster and prevent a full attack.
You can practice breathing techniques and mindfulness exercises and pack cold packs or massagers for improved comfort.
Make sure to follow your doctorās recommendation for taking your medication and contact them in case there is an emergency.
Migraine in Webster, Texas and How To Navigate It
When you are a migraine sufferer, you donāt have to avoid travelingābut you must plan wisely in order to fully enjoy your trip.
If you want to successfully do this, make sure you are working alongside a pain specialist that knows your migraine and can help you prevent and manage possible triggers. Additionally, having a personalized migraine treatment will help you reduce your symptoms in everyday life.
At Space City Pain, we seek to address the root cause of your pain so you can enjoy relief for longer. We will also explore options for managing your symptoms and get you back to your routine as soon as possible.
Our Approach at Space City Pain
We know how stressful it can get to travel with fear of having a migraine. If you seek professional care, you will learn about all the available possibilities to enjoy a happier trip. We will make sure to take the best care of you so you can kiss your worries goodbye and re-find comfort in your own body!
Our board certified healthcare providers have made Space City Pain a pioneer in pain management in the community since 2004. Our friendly, bilingual, and highly specialized staff excels at providing pain relief to patients. If you are looking to get back to your old self and a pain-free life, book an appointment by calling 281-338-4443 or send us a message online today.
We donāt manage pain, we treat it.