Are you excited about spring break but worried about your migraines? You’re not alone, as many people experience heightened migraine symptoms when traveling. Fortunately, with the right strategies for migraine management during travel, you can enjoy your trip without compromising your health or your comfort.
Read on for practical tips you can use when traveling with a migraine.
Hydration Is Key
Staying hydrated while traveling is crucial, especially for those prone to migraines. Changes in routine, long flights, and warm destinations can easily lead to dehydration, a common migraine trigger. Carry a refillable water bottle and sip regularly throughout the day to keep headaches at bay. If you’re flying, remember that airplane cabins have low humidity, which can accelerate dehydration—so drink extra water before, during, and after your flight. Prioritizing hydration will help you enjoy your trip holiday travel comfort without the added stress of migraine pain.
Avoid Common Triggers
Identifying triggers is vital when traveling with a migraine. Travel can expose you to a variety of migraine triggers, from disrupted sleep schedules to unfamiliar foods and strong scents. To minimize the risk, try to maintain a consistent sleep routine, pack snacks to avoid skipping meals, and be mindful of foods that commonly trigger migraines, such as processed meats or excessive caffeine. (Consider researching dining options in advance to be prepared.) If you’re sensitive to bright lights or strong smells, bring sunglasses and a scarf, and pack your own unscented toiletries to minimize your exposure to these potential triggers. Planning ahead can help you enjoy your trip without unnecessary migraine flare-ups.
Manage Caffeine Consumption
Caffeine can be tricky when traveling—while it may help relieve migraines in small amounts, too much or too little can trigger one. Some individuals find caffeine helpful for relief, while it can trigger a migraine for others. When it comes to caffeine and migraine management during travel, the general rule of thumb is that if you rely on caffeine daily, try to keep your intake consistent to avoid withdrawal headaches. Also, be mindful of time zone changes and long travel days that might disrupt your routine. If you’re indulging in local coffee or energy drinks while traveling, balance it with plenty of water to stay hydrated. Keeping caffeine intake steady can help you avoid unwanted migraine symptoms while on the go.
Monitor your consumption carefully. If you typically drink coffee, bring your preferred brand if unavailable at your destination. This approach ensures you maintain a comfortable routine.
Plan for Rest and Relaxation
As mentioned above, travel often disrupts sleep patterns, which can exacerbate migraine symptoms, so prioritize rest. Make sure to schedule some downtime in your itinerary to ensure you’re giving your body the rest it needs. Research quiet spaces at airports or train stations where you can relax. Creating a peaceful travel environment helps prevent overstimulation.
Integrating relaxation techniques into your travel routine is another trick to stress-free travel. Techniques such as deep breathing exercises or mindfulness meditation can provide relief from stressors, especially while traveling with migraines. Carry noise-canceling headphones or a sleep mask for added comfort during transit.
Use Pain Relief Options Wisely
Be prepared with your migraine toolkit and keep it within easy reach. If you’re flying, keep it in your carryon instead of in your checked-in luggage. If you’re driving, avoid packing it in the trunk if possible so that you can easily access it if a migraine strikes while you’re on the road. Be sure to discuss medication options with a health care professional before traveling, and always carry your medications in their original packaging.
Communicate Your Needs
Share your needs with travel companions. Open communication about your health can foster understanding and support during travel. If necessary, adjust your plans to ensure holiday travel comfort for everyone involved.
What to Do If a Migraine Strikes
Our best migraine-friendly travel advice is that if you start feeling a migraine coming on, take action quickly—the sooner you address your symptoms, the more effective the treatment will be.
To experience migraine relief when you need it most, ask your health care provider about gammaCore™ non-invasive vagus nerve stimulator (nVNS). This portable, prescription-only device is ideally suited for travel and can be used at the onset of headache pain for fast-acting relief or twice daily to help prevent future attacks. Each treatment session takes less than five minutes, so it won’t disrupt your travel plans.
Traveling with gammaCore nVNS is safe and hassle-free. The device contains a lithium battery and should be stored in your carry-on luggage to avoid exposure to extreme conditions. One tube of conductive gel meets TSA liquid carry-on regulations, and gammaCore can safely go through security X-ray screening.
Utilize These Holiday Travel Tips
Your spring break doesn’t have to be overshadowed by migraine. By preparing adequately with these holiday travel tips and incorporating gammaCore into your migraine management routine, you can significantly lessen the impact of migraine pain on your spring break plans, so you can focus on making memories.
To see if gammaCore is right for you, visit our clinic finder to locate a health care provider near you, or contact our dedicated Customer Experience team at 888-903-2673 or customerservice@electrocore.com.
