Rest in a quiet, darkened room. This will often reduce the severity of the symptoms. Drink fluids to prevent dehydration, especially if vomiting occurs.

Biofeedback and relaxation training. Drug therapy for migraine is often combined with biofeedback and relaxation training. Biofeedback refers to a technique that can give people better control over such body function indicators as blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, muscle tension, and brain waves. Thermal biofeedback allows a patient to consciously raise hand temperature. Some patients who are able to increase hand temperature can reduce the number and intensity of migraines. The mechanisms underlying these self-regulation treatments are being studied by research scientists.

"To succeed in biofeedback," says a headache specialist, "you must be able to concentrate and you must be motivated to get well."

A patient learning thermal biofeedback wears a device which transmits the temperature of an index finger or hand to a monitor. While the patient tries to warm his hands, the monitor provides feedback either on a gauge that shows the temperature reading or by emitting a sound or beep that increases in intensity as the temperature increases. The patient is not told how to raise hand temperature, but is given suggestions such as "Imagine your hands feel very warm and heavy."

"I have a good imagination," says one headache sufferer who traded in her medication for thermal biofeedback. The technique decreased the number and severity of headaches she experienced.

In another type of biofeedback called electromyographic or EMG training, the patient learns to control muscle tension in the face, neck, and shoulders.

Either kind of biofeedback may be combined with relaxation training, during which patients learn to relax the mind and body.

Biofeedback can be practiced at home with a portable monitor. But the ultimate goal of treatment is to wean the patient from the machine. The patient can then use biofeedback anywhere at the first sign of a headache.

A migraine is caused by abnormal brain activity, which is triggered by stress, food, or some other factor. Being aware of what might trigger your migraine could be helpful in reducing the number of times you are affected by a migraine attack.

Migraine attacks may be triggered by:

Allergic reactions
Bright lights and loud noises
Relaxation after a period of physical or mental stress
Prolonged muscle tension (or tension headache)
Lack of sleep
Smoking or exposure to tobacco smoke
Missed meals
Specific foods
Alcohol
Menstrual periods
Birth control pills

Foods that have been associated with migraine in some people include those containing the amino acid tyramine (red wine, aged cheese, smoked fish, chicken livers, figs, some beans), chocolates, nuts, peanut butter, fruits (avocado, banana, citrus fruit), onions, dairy products, baked goods, meats containing nitrates (bacon, hot dogs, salami, cured meats), foods containing monosodium glutamate (an additive in many foods), and any processed, fermented, pickled, or marinated foods.

There are some effective migraine home remedies that you can do to decrease the severity and frequency the attack of your migraine.

Here are some effective migraine homes remedies that may help you deal with your migraine:

Manage and deal your stress effectively. Migraine headaches are very common when you are under stress so it is important that you find healthy ways to deal with it.
Relaxation techniques may help you in decreasing the stress and the tension present in your muscles.
You may want to start a headache diary where you can jot down the foods that you have eaten prior your migraine attack.
Avoid what triggers your migraine attack. If your migraine attack is due to alcohol, then you have to stop drinking alcohol. If your migraine trigger is food like chocolates, it is recommended that you avoid eating chocolates.
If you have depression or anxiety. You have to consult your doctor for proper treatment of your condition.
Have a regular pattern of sleeping habits as lack of sleep may add to the severity of your pain.