Self Help

Traveling can trigger a migraine, but airplane travel is especially implicated. Factors that can contribute to a migraine include: the stress of catching the flight on time; the confusion, commotion, noise, lights, and smells of a crowded airport; the air-pressure changes involved in flight; dietary changes or skipped meals; and the dehydration that often occurs. Crossing time zones can be a trigger as well.

To minimize the impact of travel-induced migraine, drink lots of fluids, especially on long nights. Avoid alcohol, which leaves you dehydrated. If you are delayed because of weather, you may not have time to eat between flights, and if there is turbulence, food and beverage service may be delayed or even canceled. Therefore, it is a good idea to bring your own bottled water or juice and snacks into your carry-on bag for easy access.

Be sure to bring your migraine medication with you onto the plane. The National Headache Foundation recommends that you carry about twice as much headache medicine as you normally need when traveling, just in case. Try to remember a few days before you leave to check and make sure you have an adequate supply so that you won’t add the anxiety of needing a last-minute refill to your other travel stresses.