What is the safety of taking ibuprofen on an empty stomach. Discover the research, risks, and best practices for minimizing gastrointestinal side effects when using ibuprofen.

Ibuprofen and Gastrointestinal Side Effects

Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) commonly used to treat pain, inflammation, and fever. While ibuprofen has a relatively low risk of causing severe gastrointestinal (GI) side effects overall, certain factors can increase the risks. These include the length of use, dosage, and any existing health conditions.

Ibuprofen can affect prostaglandin levels, which play a role in protecting the stomach lining. When ibuprofen is taken in large doses or for an extended period, less prostaglandin is produced, leading to increased stomach acid and potential irritation of the stomach lining. This can result in GI-related problems such as ulcers, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, bleeding, and more.

Factors That Increase GI Risks

Several factors can increase the risks of GI side effects with ibuprofen use:

• Length of use: Longer-term use of ibuprofen increases the risks of GI-related problems compared to short-term use for immediate needs.
• Dose: Taking higher doses of ibuprofen for extended periods can increase the risks of GI-related issues.
• Existing health conditions: Conditions like a history of GI complaints, bleeding ulcers, or chronic inflammatory bowel disease can raise the risks.
• Age: Older individuals have a higher risk of GI and other side effects with ibuprofen use.
• Medications: Using ibuprofen with certain other medications, such as corticosteroids, anticoagulants, or antiplatelets, can increase GI risks.
• Alcohol use: Consuming alcohol while taking ibuprofen can further irritate the stomach lining and increase the risks of bleeding.

Timing of Ibuprofen Intake

When you take ibuprofen can make a difference in its absorption, effectiveness, and potential side effects. Ibuprofen doesn’t absorb quickly when taken orally, typically taking around 30 minutes to start working. This can be a consideration when seeking immediate pain relief.

Taking ibuprofen with food or on an empty stomach can also impact its effects. While taking ibuprofen on an empty stomach may lead to faster symptom improvement, it can also increase the risks of GI side effects. Conversely, taking ibuprofen with food can help mitigate these risks but may delay the onset of pain relief.

Protecting the Stomach

There are a few strategies that can help protect the stomach when taking ibuprofen:

• Antacids: Magnesium-based antacids can help with mild symptoms of heartburn or acid reflux. Avoid aluminum-based antacids as they can interfere with ibuprofen absorption.
• Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs): Medications like esomeprazole (Nexium) can help reduce acid reflux. PPIs are often recommended when taking ibuprofen in higher doses for extended periods.
• Timing: For temporary pain relief and with no risk factors, taking ibuprofen on an empty stomach may provide faster symptom improvement. For long-term use or with risk factors, taking it with a stomach protectant like a PPI is recommended to minimize GI side effects.

Discussing Options with Your Doctor

Before taking ibuprofen, it’s important to discuss the potential benefits and risks with your doctor, especially if you have any chronic medical conditions or are taking other medications. Your doctor can help determine the best way to use ibuprofen to manage your symptoms while minimizing the risks of gastrointestinal side effects.

Seeking Medical Attention

If you experience mild symptoms of stomach upset while taking ibuprofen, certain protective medications may help. However, if your symptoms don’t improve or worsen, it’s important to speak with your doctor. They can help assess your individual situation and determine the appropriate next steps.

Conclusion

Ibuprofen is generally safe, but taking it on an empty stomach or in certain circumstances can increase the risks of gastrointestinal side effects. Understanding the factors that influence these risks, as well as strategies to protect the stomach, can help you use ibuprofen more safely and effectively. Always consult with your healthcare provider to determine the best approach for your specific needs.

Ibuprofen on an Empty Stomach: Safety, Research, and More

Ibuprofen is one of the most common over-the-counter (OTC) medications used to treat pain, inflammation, and fever. It’s been around for nearly 50 years.

Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), and works by blocking cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme activity. COX activity is responsible for prostaglandin production.

Whether ibuprofen is safe to take on an empty stomach really depends on the individual and certain risk factors.

Let’s take a closer look at the best way to take ibuprofen to improve symptoms while minimizing risks.

Ibuprofen has a low risk of causing severe gastrointestinal (GI) side effects overall. However, risks do exist and depend on a person’s age, length of use, dosage, and any existing health concerns.

Ibuprofen can affect prostaglandin levels and cause GI side effects. One function of prostaglandin is its stomach protection. It reduces stomach acid and increases mucus production.

When ibuprofen is taken in large doses or for a long time, less prostaglandin is produced. This can increase stomach acid and irritate the stomach lining, causing problems.

GI side effects can depend on several factors, including:

• Length of use. When taking ibuprofen for a long time, risks of GI-related problems increase, as compared to short-term use for immediate needs.
• Dose. Taking higher doses for long periods of time increases the risks of GI-related problems.
• Other health conditions. Having certain health conditions, such as the following, can increase risks of side effects or adverse reactions:
  • history of GI complaints
  • bleeding ulcers
  • chronic inflammatory bowel disease
• Individual factors. Older people have a higher risk of GI and other side effects with ibuprofen use.
  • Be sure to discuss ibuprofen’s benefits versus any risks with your doctor before taking this medication.
  • If you have heart, kidney, high blood pressure, or other chronic medical conditions, ask your doctor about ibuprofen use.

There are two distinct types of COX, and they have different effects on the body. COX-2, when activated, blocks prostaglandin release in response to pain, fever, and inflammation. COX-1 has a protective effect on the stomach lining and surrounding cells.

Ibuprofen affects both COX-1 and COX-2 activity, providing symptom relief and at the same time increasing risks of certain side effects.

When you take a medication can make a difference with absorption, effectiveness, and side effects. This includes taking it with food or on an empty stomach.

One of the challenges with ibuprofen is that when you take it orally, it doesn’t absorb quickly. It takes around 30 minutes to work. This matters when you want immediate pain relief.

Ibuprofen can cause several GI side effects, including:

• ulcer
• heartburn
• nausea and vomiting
• bleeding
• tear in the stomach, small intestine, or large intestine
• diarrhea
• constipation
• cramps
• feeling of fullness
• bloating
• gas

Upper and lower GI risks must be considered before using ibuprofen. Ibuprofen is not recommended if there’s a lower GI risk, even with proton pump inhibitor medications like Nexium as protection.

Risks of GI side effects are higher with:

• people over 65, as the risk of GI bleeding quadruples
• history of indigestion or heartburn
• use of corticosteroids, anticoagulants like warfarin (Coumadin), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like sertraline (Zoloft), antiplatelets like aspirin or clopidogrel (Plavix)
• peptic ulcer or ulcer-related bleeding
• alcohol use, as it can irritate the stomach lining, and using ibuprofen with alcohol can increase the risks of bleeding in the stomach

Remember, some medications interact with ibuprofen and health conditions. Be sure to discuss the best options to lower your risk of GI problems with your doctor first.

If you experience mild symptoms of stomach upset, certain protective medications might help:

• A magnesium-based antacid can help with mild symptoms of heartburn or acid reflux. Avoid taking aluminum-based antacids with ibuprofen, as they interfere with ibuprofen absorption.
• A proton pump inhibitor such as esomeprazole (Nexium) can help with acid reflux. Be sure to check with your pharmacist about any side effects or drug interaction.

Caution: Don’t take multiple types of acid reducers at the same time. If your symptoms don’t improve or get worse, talk to your doctor.

The best way to take ibuprofen depends on your age and risk factors. Studies show taking ibuprofen with a stomach protectant such as a PPI is an effective way to avoid peptic ulcers, if you’re taking it in higher doses for a long time.

If you’re taking ibuprofen for temporary pain relief and have no risk factors, you may be able to take it on an empty stomach to get faster symptom improvement. A protectant containing magnesium may help with faster relief.

It’s important to seek medical attention right away if you:

• have black tarry stools
• are vomiting blood
• have severe stomach pain
• have persistent nausea and vomiting
• have blood in your urine
• have chest pain
• have trouble with breathing

IF you have an allergic reaction

Call 911 right away if you experience:

• rash
• swelling of face, tongue, throat, or lips
• difficulty breathing
• wheezing

Gastrointestinal side effects are the most common problem reported with ibuprofen. It’s important to understand serious or severe GI problems, such as bleeding, can happen without any warning signs.

Be sure to discuss your history of GI-related concerns with your healthcare provider before taking ibuprofen on your own. If you’re pregnant, talk to your doctor before taking ibuprofen.

In limited cases, for fast relief of pain symptoms, taking ibuprofen on an empty stomach may be fine. A magnesium-containing antacid may offer some protection and help provide faster relief.

For long-term use, it’s helpful to take a protectant to avoid GI side effects. In some cases, your doctor will choose a different medication option.

Reducing Side Effects of NSAIDs Like Ibuprofen and Naproxen

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are medications commonly used to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation caused by anything from a simple tension headache to lower back pain or knee arthritis. But these drugs can have side effects and should be avoided by people with certain conditions. Learn how to safely use NSAIDs and reduce their side effects below.

• What are NSAIDs?
• What are possible side effects of NSAIDs?
• How should you think about taking NSAIDs in view of the possible side effects?
• What about using NSAIDs during pregnancy?
• What is the proper dosing for NSAIDs?
• Can I combine NSAIDs with other drugs?
• When should I stop the drug and get immediate medical attention?
• When should I call my doctor about changing NSAID dosage or medications?

What are NSAIDs?

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are a group of drugs that are prescribed to reduce the pain and inflammation of arthritis. Some of these drugs require a prescription, while others are available without one (over-the-counter or OTC). They include such drugs such as asprin, ibuprofen and naproxen. Here is an extensive list of various NSAIDs:

• aspirin
• diclofenac (Voltaren)
• etodolac (Lodine)
• fenoprofen (Nalfon)
• flurbiprofen
• ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Rufen)
• meclofenamate (Meclomen)
• naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)

• indomethacin (Indocin)
• ketoprofen
• oxaprozin (Daypro)
• piroxicam (Feldene)
• salsalate
• sulindac
• tolmetin

NSAIDs do not include drugs that are purely pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or codeine. A more recent group of NSAIDs known as COX-2 selective or COX-2 specific inhibitors are covered in a separate article on COX-2 inhibitors – presently limited to the agent celecoxib (Celebrex.)

NSAIDs are generally tolerated very well by many patients, which is fortunate because these drugs are often very helpful for people with pain and inflammation. Most side effects are minor and easily reversible by discontinuing the drug or by adding a drug to counter such effects. The risk of serious side effects is small, but there are some serious considerations with these medications, as discussed below. Being aware of the possible side effects of these drugs can make them even safer to use. Although most side effects are minor, there is still a genuine concern regarding gastrointestinal problems (such as ulcer development) and cardiovascular side effects.

If any of these guidelines are not clear, or if you think it does not apply to you, be sure to discuss the issue with your physician.

What are possible side effects of NSAIDs?

The most common side effects of NSAIDs are gastrointestinal problems, including stomach irritation and reflux. More rarely, NSAIDs can contribute to heart problems and increase the risk of cardiovascular conditions.

Gastrointestinal symptoms

• Gastrointestinal symptoms are the most common side effects of NSAIDs. They are most likely to be stomach irritation and the sensations known as “heart burn” (which has nothing to do with your heart). In severe cases, NSAIDs can irritate the lining of your stomach so that an ulcer (a small erosion) forms. In the worst cases, such an erosion can lead to internal bleeding, which may be life-threatening. Perforation, meaning a “hole” in the stomach, can also occur in rare cases. This is an urgent problem requiring prompt medical attention.
• Stop the drug and call your physician immediately if you have any severe abdominal pain or a black, tarry stool (bowel movement) or any blood in your stool.
• To help reduce irritation of the stomach and prevent an ulcer,
  • Take NSAIDs at the end of a full meal or with an antacid
  • Limit alcohol intake (since alcohol can also irritate your stomach)

• If you develop gastrointestinal problems, your physician may switch you to another drug (such as a COX-2 selective inhibitor – see the below section on this type of agent) or may add a drug to help reduce stomach irritation.
• Drugs that reduce stomach irritation include misoprostol (Cytotec), or a proton pump inhibitor such as omeprazole (Prilosec), esomeprazole (Nexium), pantoprazole (Protonix), lansoprazole (Prevacid), or rabeprazole (Aciphex). These drugs can considerably reduce your risk of an ulcer and internal bleeding.

The black box warning for NSAIDs related to gastrointestinal risk reads as follows, in an example from the labeling for the NSAID naproxen (Naprosyn®):

NSAIDs cause an increased risk of serious gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events, including bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach or intestines, which can be fatal. These events can occur at any time during use and without warning symptoms. Elderly patients and patients with a prior history of peptic ulcer disease and/or GI bleeding are at greater risk for serious GI events.

Heart problems

The FDA has required a block box warning about cardiovascular thrombotic events be placed in the package description of all NSAIDs other than aspirin, including COX-2 specific and selective agent, and patients at high risk for cardiovascular disease need to weigh the risks and benefits with their physician before taking any NSAID or (COX-2 specific or selective agent). The black box warning for NSAIDs related to cardiovascular risk reads as follows, in an example from the labeling for the NSAID naproxen (Naprosyn®):

“Cardiovascular risk: Serious cardiovascular thrombotic events: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) cause an increased risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, including myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke, which can be fatal. This risk may occur early in treatment and may increase with duration of use.”

How should you think about taking NSAIDs in view of the possible side effects?

Years ago, doctors thought of NSAIDs as being very safe. They still are acceptably safe for many people, but longer-term experience and medical studies have shown that there are definite risks. Think about these things before you start NSAIDs and consider them again if you are taking them for a while:

• Do you have risk factors for the side-effects of these medications? For example, do you have a prior history of ulcer, a known bleeding problem? Are you are higher-than-average cardiac risk, such as if you have had a heart attack, have high blood pressure (especially if not well-controlled) or have diabetes. Older people have more GI and cardiovascular risk from NSAIDs.
• Have you been told of abnormal kidney function? NSAIDs can negatively affect kidney function.
• Will you be taking NSAIDs for a short or long time? Although heart issues have been described after short uses of NSAIDs, most of the time the problems come with prolonged use. There are situations where long-term use of NSAIDs is appropriate, but in many other situations the need for long-term NSAIDs calls for a discussion with your health care provider about possible alternatives.

What about using NSAIDs during pregnancy?

A good resource for the use of NSAIDs in pregnancy can be found at MotherToBaby’s factsheet on naproxen. They point out that “It is unclear if naproxen use may affect the ability to become pregnant.” They note that “studies have suggested that the use of NSAIDs may increase the chance of miscarriage,” but suggest that this may be in the setting of long-term use of NSAIDs. Data to date overall do not suggest that NSAIDs cause any abnormalities of babies. NSAIDs are not recommended for use after week 20 of a pregnancy.

What is the proper dosing for NSAIDs?

When you are trying an NSAID for the first time, take the full dose prescribed every day, unless instructed otherwise. It may take as long as two weeks to build up to a “blood level” of the drug, and the drug may not help very much until then. If you take the drug irregularly, you may never know whether it actually can help you. This could lead to your being switched to a second drug when the first one actually could have helped. Each new drug you take carries a risk of allergic reaction (such as skin rash). Therefore, it’s important to find out if a drug can help you before switching to another.

Do not exceed the dose of the drug prescribed. The extra benefit is usually small and the increased risk is significant.

If you are taking the medicine regularly and miss a dose, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose. If your arthritis improves, discuss with your physician the possibility of decreasing your dose of the NSAID.

Can I combine NSAIDs with other drugs?

Do not mix one NSAID with another. For example, don’t take aspirin or ibuprofen with any other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. However, your physician may wish you to combine low-dose aspirin with an NSAID for heart attack or stroke prevention. This is an individual decision for each patient, and you should discuss this with your physician, since combining an NSAID with aspirin can increase the risk of ulcer. Acetaminophen, especially in low dose, appears less likely to irritate the stomach than NSAIDs, so in many cases it is reasonable to take acetaminophen along with (or instead of) NSAIDs.

Always read the ingredients listed on the label of over-the-counter products. If acetylsalicylic acid or salicylate is listed, it may be better not to take this with NSAIDs, unless advised by your physician. Keep in mind that Alka-Seltzer, Anacin and some types of Excedrin contain aspirin.

If you are taking medications for high blood pressure, have your pressure checked regularly while on the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. This is especially important within the first several weeks of starting the drug. In some patients, NSAIDs can elevate the blood pressure.

When should I stop the drug and get immediate medical attention?

You should cease taking NSAIDs if:

• Signs of allergy occur, such as rapid breathing, gasping, wheezing, hives, skin rashes, puffy eyelids, and/or rapid heart beat.
• You develop:
  • vision abnormalities.
  • dizziness, depression or confusion.
  • yellowing of the eyes that could indicate liver injury (although liver injury is rare and your liver function is checked when you have standard chemistry blood tests, which should be done periodically, when you are taking an NSAID).

• Your urine becomes cloudy or bloody, the amount of urine you pass should suddenly decrease, or you develop new ankle swelling, all of which could indicate kidney problems. This is especially important to watch for if your kidney function has been noted, on lab testing, to have been abnormal in the past.

When should I call my doctor about changing NSAID dosage or medications?

Talk to your doctor about switching away from NSAIDs if:

• You develop swelling of the ankles or sudden weight gain after starting one of these drugs due to fluid retention.
• You develop decreased hearing or ringing in your ears.
• You are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

Updated: 12/10/2021

Authors

Theodore R. Fields, MD, FACP

Attending Physician, Hospital for Special Surgery
Professor of Clinical Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College

Related articles

Acute migraine attack – drug treatment

The highest intensity of a migraine attack occurs 30-60 minutes after the aura. But don’t wait for it. It is important to know “your” medicine, which brings relief and take it in time (before the appearance of a headache at the first signs of an aura). Today, pharmaceuticals offer a wide range of various drugs that can not only relieve pain, but also avoid the attack itself.

A variety of medications are prescribed for acute migraine attacks, depending on the severity of the attack, comorbidities, and the patient’s age. Quick self-help measures when an attack has begun can alleviate the condition.

Moderate migraine attack

For mild to moderate symptoms, early use of any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug painkillers in appropriate dosages helps. Most suitable for adults are ibuprofen, naproxen, paracetamol, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), or diclofenac. Chewable or effervescent tablets are the fastest absorbed by the body. Paracetamol works better as a suppository (rectally). If a migraine attack is accompanied by vomiting, antiemetics may help with nausea. They should be taken 20 minutes before taking NSAIDs. Now drugs are being developed that, with the help of an inhaler, turn into an aerosol and increase the effectiveness of exposure at times.

Such drugs help well at the very beginning of an attack, so the medicine prescribed by a doctor should be carried with you constantly and taken at the first signs.

Severe migraine attack

For more severe migraine symptoms, special drugs designed to relieve migraine attacks, called triptans, are recommended. They selectively reduce the pulsation in the brain, acting on pain receptors. Triptan drugs block neurovascular inflammation, constrict dilated blood vessels, and thus counteract headaches and other associated migraine symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. In Russian pharmacies, you can find the following triptan drugs – Sumatriptan, Zolmitriptan, Naratriptan and their generics, which are cheaper, but also highly effective. Triptans work best when taken early, but they can be used at any time during a migraine attack (except during the aura when the vessels are constricted). These are unique drugs that help with pain caused specifically by migraines. Usually after 2 hours after taking them, the attack passes. If no effect occurs, it is not recommended to take another dose during an attack. Regular use of triptans for more than ten days a month can cause chronic headaches. In addition, since they have a pronounced vasoconstrictive effect not only on the vessels of the brain, but also on peripheral vessels, they cannot be used for hypertension, coronary heart disease, varicose veins and other vascular diseases.

Attention! Triptans are not prescribed for pregnant women, children and persons suffering from severe forms of migraine – hemiplegic and basilar

Pain sensitivity of victims increases with regular use of painkillers. A vicious circle ensues: painkillers are consumed at shorter intervals, but they exacerbate the problem they are supposed to help against.

Conclusion.

After analyzing the available studies of various active substances, recommendations were made for self-treatment of tension headaches and migraine. According to headache associations in German-speaking countries (German Migraine and Headache Society, Swiss Headache Society, Austrian Headache Society) the fixed combination of ASA + paracetamol and caffeine (e.g. in Thomapyrin ® CLASSIC and INTENSIV) is the best choice in relieving pain. The effectiveness of this combination and good compatibility has been proven. Ibuprofen is also recommended as the first choice. These drugs are considered the safest. With severe migraine attacks, you should consult a doctor who will calculate the exact dosage and prescribe the best treatment regimen, taking into account the characteristics of the body and concomitant diseases.

8 more ways to relieve an attack and relieve pain

Anna Mozgovaya

noted the methods

Author profile

This text used to be comments. You can also share your opinion under any material or write a post in the Community.

Readers describe how they deal with migraines.

Some help a couple of cups of coffee, others a few hours in complete darkness and silence. We’ve put together a few more non-drug options that can help manage headaches or prevent attacks.

Go to the doctor

There are no recommendations for treatment in the article, only the personal experience of readers. Please consult with your doctor before deciding on treatment. The responsibility for your health rests solely with you.

Method No. 1

Cooling patches

Anastasia Golovatenko

stocked up on plasters

Author profile

Since the beginning of 2019, I have been keeping a very detailed headache diary, but so far I have pulled out only one hundred percent trigger from the statistics. The rest I’m just trying to figure out. As a preventive measure, I try not to sleep too much and too little. I don’t go in cold weather without a hat, because if my forehead is frozen, the next day my head will hurt.

In 2021, the number of attacks increased to more than four per month. I started migraine prevention therapy, and their intensity decreased.

I always have a stock of Extraplast cooling patches for headaches in my refrigerator in case of attacks. Each bag contains sumatriptan or Relpax when it is in pharmacies and when I was not greedy for money. Sometimes I drink ibuprofen, but it happens that the pain remains and later I still have to take triptan.

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Method No. 2

Cold and hot shower

Aleksey Savostyuk

copes with an attack in an hour

Author profile

I take 2-4 ibuprofen tablets depending on the intensity of the headache, drink cola or coffee and, until the medicine starts to work, I lie down in a hot bath y. I put my head under a stream of hot water, sometimes alternating hot with cold a la contrast shower. After an hour of such spa treatments, the symptoms disappear.

Why such a harsh method? Because nothing else helped, and before the pain was every other day. Many doctors listened to my symptoms and said, “Don’t make it up.” Finding a competent specialist is the most difficult part of treatment.

Method No. 3

Working with a psychologist

Svetlana Arkhipova

visits a psychologist

Author profile

I got to the point where I had 14-16 seizures a month. Examinations and drug treatment did not improve the situation much.

But working with a psychologist helped. It turned out that my problem is more psycho-emotional. Now I control my emotional state, and compared to what it was before, the quality of life has improved markedly. Now I have a maximum of 4-6 seizures per month. I recommend everyone who suffers from migraines to try to work in this direction.

Method No. 4

frosty air

Amalia_Owl

cooling down

Author profile

I also suffer from migraine attacks. In winter, it helps to open the windows wide open, so that the dubak stands right in the room. If there is no opportunity or it is warm outside – a cold towel and ice cream. Previously, German ibuprofen helped, which, alas, is now unavailable, and the Russian one does not work.

Migrebot helps a lot to keep track of triggers. Thanks to him, the attacks became less frequent.

Method No. 5

A diet with a minimum number of trigger foods

Ilya Klimochkin

limits some products

Author profile

I have suffered from migraine since I was seven years old. Attacks occurred once or twice a month early in the morning. At first, only vomiting saved me, no pills helped. With age, the attacks became less frequent, the vomiting went away, but an aura appeared: I noticed visual distortions in one eye, something like “flies”, but larger in size. When an aura appears, I drink citramon and ibuprofen. The main thing is to do it in the first 10-15 minutes, then the pain can be stopped.

During this time, I figured out the triggers that can provoke an attack in me: vitamin B1, which is found in multivitamins, nuts, blueberries, dairy products. If they are abused, I can seize an attack. More red wine. For me, the main thing is not to drink it during the period from 22:00 to 23:00, otherwise I will catch a migraine.

Sports and active physical activity help a lot, then the number of attacks is reduced to one or two times in six months. Doctors assure that with age, the number of seizures will decrease by itself.

/health-life/

Walking and avoiding sweets: 7 habits that help you be healthy

Method No. 6

cold bath

The author

saves herself with cold water

The author’s profile

I don’t remember how many years I’ve had headaches, I definitely had them at school. At that time, I hated physical education, especially all kinds of marathons, because after running a long headache was guaranteed. And besides physical education, there were other lessons, and then no one would let you go home with a headache, as they do now. It was the same at the institute, and, which is a shame, there was no way to get rid of physical education. Only then did I start taking pills, ordinary citramone helped.

In the end, Citramon stopped working on me completely. I visited a cephalgologist – a special doctor for headaches. He confirmed that it was a migraine. I don’t remember all the recommendations, but not all of them suited me. None of the pills worked, then it turned out that I needed a dosage twice as much. The doctor also recommended taking warm baths and pouring warm water on the place that hurts. Empirically found that I need cold water for this. I also apply ice or spray with water from a spray bottle.

Method No. 7

Deep breathing

Seenee mp3

focus on breathing

Author profile

I found a way to relieve my pain. Being at rest, you need to breathe more calmly and deeply. This will help a little. Usually I calm down so much that the pain subsides a little and I fall asleep.

Method No. 8

Strong sweet tea or coffee with honey

Goddess of Decay

tries different means

Author’s profile

Once upon a time, my head just hurt and analginik helped, but by now the pains have become longer and more painful. Apparently it’s age related. The head hurts now on the right, then on the left, then in the back of the head, but the pressure is normal. An attack may occur due to a change in weather or heat, on critical days, or from stress. I was also unlucky: my migraine is without aura and I can only notice an attack by the growing discomfort in my head.