What lifestyle modifications can I recommend to patients experiencing frequent migraines?

Lifestyle modifications recommended for patients experiencing frequent migraines include:

• Keeping a headache diary to record the frequency, duration, and severity of headaches, which helps monitor triggers and the effectiveness of interventions.
• Avoiding medication overuse by limiting the use of acute headache medications such as triptans, opioids, ergots, paracetamol, aspirin, and NSAIDs to prevent medication overuse headache.
• Recognising and managing menstrual-related migraine by tracking migraine occurrence in relation to the menstrual cycle.
• Providing education and support about migraine as a valid medical disorder, including information on risk factors and management options.
• Considering non-pharmacological approaches such as acupuncture if prophylactic medications are unsuitable or ineffective.
• Advising on the possible benefit of riboflavin (400 mg once daily) as a supplement to reduce migraine frequency and intensity for some people.

These lifestyle and self-management strategies are important components of migraine management alongside any pharmacological treatments.

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