Migraine Headache

Migraine

Migraine Headache

Migraine Headaches can be defined as a paroxysmal ailment, accompanied by a severe headache, generally on one side of the head, and associated with disorders of the digestion, the liver, and the vision. It usually occurs when a person is under great mental tension or has suddenly got over that state. Persons who suffer from migraine headaches have a particular type of personality. They are intelligent, sensitive, rigid, and methodical, and tend to be perfectionists. A migraine headache comes on suddenly. The head and neck muscles, reacting from continuous stress, become overworked. The tight muscles squeeze the arteries and reduce the blood flow. Then, when the person relaxes suddenly, the constricted muscles expand, stretching the blood vessel walls. With each heart beat, the blood pushes through these vessels and expands them further, causing intense pain. Read information on regular headaches.

More on Migraine : Symptoms , Causes, Remedy, Diet, Other suggestions, FAQ's

Migraine headache Symptoms

Pain on one side of the head

There is a definite pattern of a migraine headache. The pain is on only one side of the head and often radiates from the eye. The right side of the head may be affected in one attack and the next time, the concentration of pain may be on the left side.

A short period of depression, irritability and loss of appetite

Migraines are usually preceded by a short period of depression, irritability and loss of appetite. Some persons get migraine attacks daily; others, every month or every two or three months; and still others, only or twice in several years.

Pounding pain, nausea, and vomiting

The main symptoms of migraines are a pounding pain, nausea, and vomiting. The blood vessels on the affected side of the head become prominent and pulsating.

Numbness or weakness in an arm or leg, or on one side of the face

Migraines gives a fair warning before striking. The patient sees flashes of light or black spots or only parts of the objects in front of him. He may also feel numbness or weakness in an arm or leg, or on one side of the face. Sometimes the numbness may affect both sides of the face tongue and the entire mouth, making the speech slurred and difficult. As the headache develops, disturbed digestion becomes a marked feature.

Cause for Migraine Headaches

Low blood sugar, allergy infection, excessive intake of certain drugs

Migraine headaches may result from a variety of causes such as low blood sugar, allergy infection, excessive intake of certain drugs, a weak constitution low energy, nutritional deficiency, consistent overwork, improper sleep and rest, excessive smoking, drinking, and sexual indulgence.

Menstruation in women

Menstruation in women is also one of the important cause of migraine headache. This form of migraine usually abates after menopause.

Herbal Remedies for migraines headaches

Migraine relief using Grapes

Migraine relief can be obtained from the juice of ripe grapes and is an effective home remedy. It is said that King Jamshed of Persia, who was very fond of grapes, once stored the juice of grapes well packed in bottles and made it public that the bottles contained strong poison so as to prevent others from taking it. It so happened that the king\'s wife was struck with migraine and having obtained no relief from any treatment, decided to end her life by taking this so-called 'poison'. She took it several times in small doses and contrary to her expectations, it gave her great relief instead of killing her.

Migraine relief using Niacin

Niacin has proved helpful in relieving migraine pain. Valuable sources of this vitamin are yeast, whole wheat, green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, nuts, sunflower seeds, liver, and fish. Vitamin I complex tablets containing 100 mg of niacin can be taken for the same purpose.

Relieving Migraine using Cabbage Leaf Compress

An ancient folk remedy for relieving the pain of migraine is a cabbage leaf compress. A few leaves of the vegetable should be crushed, and then placed in a cloth and bound on the forehead at bedtime, or when convenient during the day. The Compress should be renewed when the leaves dry out.

Migraine treatment using Lemon Crust

The crusts of lemon have also been found beneficial in the treatment of migraine. These crusts should be included into a fine paste in a mortar. The paste should be applied, it plaster on the forehead. It will provide great relief.

Natural Migraine headache treatment using Vegetable Juices

Carrot juice, in combination with spinach like, or beet and cucumber juices, has been found beneficial in the treatment of migraine. In the first combination, 200 ml of spinach juice may be mixed with 300 ml of carrot juice to prepare 500 ml or half a litre of the combined juices. In the second combination, 100 ml each of beet and cucumber juices may be mixed with 300 ml of carrot juice.

Migraine relief diet

Fasting on orange juice and water

It is essential to undertake a thorough cleansing of the system and adopt vitality-building measures. To begin with, the patient should resort to fasting on orange juice and water for two or three days. If the orange juice does not agree with the patient, juices of vegetables such as carrots, cucumber, and celery may be taken.

Avoid foods like white flour products, sugar, tinned or preserved foods, etc

Foods which should be avoided are white flour products, sugar, confectionery, rich cakes, pastries, sweets, refined cereals, greasy foods, tinned or preserved foods, pickles, condiments, and sauces.

All-fruit diet

After the short juice fast, the patient may adopt an all-fruit diet for about five days, taking three meals a day of fresh juicy fruits.

Well-balanced diet of seeds, nuts etc.

Thereafter the patient should follow a well-balanced diet consisting of seeds, nuts, grains, vegetables, and fruits. This diet should be supplemented with milk, yoghurt, buttermilk, vegetable oils, and honey. Further short periods of the all-fruit diet may be necessary at intervals of a month or two, according to the requirement of the case.

Eat frequent small meals, Copious drinking of water is essential.

The patient should eat frequent small meals rather than a few large ones. Overeating should be avoided. Copious drinking of water is recommended.

Other migraine treatment

Take warm-water enema to cleanse bowels

During the initial two or three days of the juice fast, a warm water enema may be taken daily to cleanse the bowels.

Hot bath, cold compress applied to head

A hot fool bath, fomentation over the stomach and spine, cold compress (4.5\JC to 15.6\JC) applied to the head, and towels wrung out of very hot water and frequently applied to the neck will go a long way in relieving migraine headaches.

Plenty of exercise and walk in fresh air is essential

The patient should also take plenty of exercise and walk in the fresh air.