Dealing With Headaches

Often, when you get a really pounding migraine, your senses get amplified. Light becomes painfully blinding and everyday sounds seem to transform into explosions in your head. This sound sensitvity is known as phonophobia (which, oddly enough, does not mean “fear of noise”). When waiting for the migraine medicine or alternative treatment to kick in, you need to relax and not wince at every little noise.

One treatment for phonophobia caused by migraines is to turn on white noise.

What is White Noise?

No predudice is implied with the term “white noise”. Nor is white noise affiliated with the pop group White Stripes. Just like white light is composed of all colors, so white noise is composed of all frequencies noises can make. When all of the frequencies are on at the same time, you can’t hear most of them, because they cancel each other out. White noise machines — also called wave machines — are little digital clock-looking devices that mimic ocean waves, rainfall, river rapids — it’s a soothing constant noise.

Some people like the sound of television static, although getting that is getting harder and harder to find. Personally, I find television static grates on my nerves, so I don’t use it. But if it works for you, you have my envy.

My Dad used an air conditioner as a white noise machine, but due to the costs of running an air conditioner 365 nights a year, I don’t recommend this route. There are even CDs and tapes available of white noise that are far more affordable. If you live near the beach, then you can use the normal nighttime noises of the surf as your “white noise machine”.

How Does This Work?

When you use white noise for migraines, you need to turn on the white noise as soon as you realise that one is coming. The American Chronicle reveals that some migraine-prone people have staved off a full blown attack by merely turning on white noise machines. If you couldn’t see (or feel) the migraine coming, then white noise machines can at least lessen painful phonophobia.

It is thought that most noises that really hurt people with phonophobia are sudden noises, which white noise can often mask. A continual, soothing sound seems to calm the ears in the way a nice massage can calm the body.

It’s important to know what can trigger a migraine for you. This is why doctors recommend keeping a headache journal. For some people, certian sounds can trigger their migraines. A white noise machine on all the time can help to prevent migraines for them. Perhaps one day we can get white noise treatment machines for migraines on perscription, as American Chronicle suggests.

Sounds good to me. Hope this helps.