Migraine Tips

Health Benefits Of Apple For Migraine!

A migraine often causes throbbing pain at one side of the head accompanied by sensitivity to sound and light, nausea and vomiting. The pain can last from a few hours to a few days. Some warning signs of the pain take over include tingling of the leg or face, flashes of light and blind spots. Medication can help in avoiding the pain or manage it considerably.

Diagnosis:
Detection of a migraine is fairly easy for a medical professional. If a patient has a family history of a migraine, a doctor can prescribe the following to lock in on the diagnosis:

• Blood tests: Through blood tests, a doctor tries to understand any possible problems in the blood vessels, spinal cord or presence of other toxins in the system
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Better known as MRI, this is a process of capturing the detailed image of the blood vessels and the brain. It readily detects any possible problems related to a migraine.
• Computerized tomography: More commonly known as CT scan, this is a process of capturing an image through a line of x-rays to detect any possible problems related to a migraine.
• Lumbar puncture: This test is prescribed in extreme cases when a doctor suspects that there is a possible chance of bleeding in the brain.

What are the treatment options available?
There are two kinds of medications available- preventive medication and pain relieving medication. The treatment strategy is decided based on the frequency of headaches and other health factors.

Some pain reliever medication includes triptan, ergots, opioid, glucocorticoids, anti-nausea medications etc. These medicines constrict the blood vessels and block the pathways of the pain in the brain cells. While some medicines are required to be consumed immediately after the symptoms starts, some should be taken regularly to avoid the pain in the first place. These pain relievers have side effects and should be consumed after prior discussion with a doctor.

Preventive medication, on the other hand, is only suggested by a doctor when a patient suffers from a migraine twice or more in a month, the pain lasts for more than 12 hours and the pain relievers do not work. Some of the common group of medicines that are suggested for these set of patients include cardiovascular drugs, anti-seizure drugs, anti-depressants, botox etc.

Alternative medicine approach:
Alternative medicines are often witnessed to fetch positive results for migraine patients:

• Acupuncture: this form of treatment involves inserting thin needles into the skin at various points to give relief from pain
• Cognitive behavioral therapy: This is a form of treatment which focuses on perceiving pain with behavioral changes.
• Biofeedback: This is a relaxation technique that teaches to control physical responses such as pain, stress, muscle contraction etc.

7 out of 10 people experience headaches almost every day. It is a very common condition. Headaches can be mild or severe, intermittent or persistent. A headache is characterized by a sharp or dull pain in the forehead or on the scalp.

Headache- Common conditions such as fatigue, lack of sleep, stress, hypertension (high blood pressure), sinusitis, typically cause headaches. A headache resulting from hypertension usually affects both sides of the head, particularly the temple regions.

In general, the symptoms of headache are not life-threatening. But sometimes the pain can be accompanied by fever, facial numbness, slurred speech and convulsion.

Migraine- Severe headaches may indicate some other underlying condition like migraine. Migraines is the most complex and aggressive form of headache. It is characterized by debilitating, intense headaches. According to researchers, migraine is caused due to changes in the brainstem and nerve pathways. Environmental and genetic factors also play a role in inducing migraine attacks. Symptoms include vomiting and nausea, sensitivity to sound and light, tingling or numbness, difficulty speaking. Most migraine attacks last for about 4 hours or more.

How homeopathy plays a role in treating headaches and migraine pain-

There’s a fine line between getting a cure and getting relief from pain. Many people depend solely upon painkillers for years. But what they don’t understand is the fact that painkillers only provide temporary relief. Others look for home remedies to reduce pain and eventually learn to live with migraine headaches. Homeopathy does not approve of painkillers. Homeopathy digs deep into the root of the problem and eliminates the cause from within. That is perhaps the reason why homeopathy treatment takes time. The most effective homeopathy medicines for migraine headaches are- Belladonna, Glonoine, Sanguinaria and Spigelia.

Belladonna helps reduce the intensity of sharp throbbing headaches by eliminating pain and promoting restful sleep. It is also capable of improving the state of your nervous system. Glonoine is prescribed to patients experiencing aggressive migraine attacks. Exposure to sunlight or heat triggers migraine pain. Glonoine acts primarily on the nervous system and calms your nerves. It offers relief from ill effects of sunrays and heat in general. Sanguinara is very effective in treating headaches occurring on the right side of the head.

Homeopathy medications are safe, effective and yield long-lasting results. So instead of having strong painkillers, one can easily rely on homeopathy treatment for a cure.

A migraine often causes throbbing pain at one side of the head accompanied by sensitivity to sound and light, nausea and vomiting. The pain can last from a few hours to a few days. Some warning signs of the pain take over include tingling of the leg or face, flashes of light and blind spots. Medication can help in avoiding the pain or manage it considerably.

Diagnosis:
Detection of a migraine is fairly easy for a medical professional. If a patient has a family history of a migraine, a doctor can prescribe the following to lock in on the diagnosis:

• Blood tests: Through blood tests, a doctor tries to look for possible secondary causes, and understand any possible problems in the blood vessels, spinal cord or presence of other toxins in the system
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Better known as MRI, this is a process of capturing the detailed image of the blood vessels and the brain. It readily detects any possible problems related to a migraine.
• Computerized tomography: More commonly known as CT scan, this is a process of capturing an image through a line of x-rays to detect any possible problems related to a migraine.

​What are the treatment options available?
There are two kinds of medications available- preventive medication and pain relieving medication. The treatment strategy is decided based on the frequency of headaches and other health factors.

• Some pain reliever medication includes triptan, ergots, opioid, glucocorticoids, anti-nausea medications, etc. These medicines constrict the blood vessels and block the pathways of the pain in the brain cells. While some medicines are required to be consumed immediately after the symptoms starts, some should be taken regularly to avoid the pain in the first place. These pain relievers have side effects and should be consumed after prior discussion with a doctor.
• Preventive medication, on the other hand, is only suggested by a doctor when a patient suffers from a migraine twice or more in a month, the pain lasts for more than 12 hours and the pain relievers do not work. Some of the common group of medicines that are suggested for this set of patients include cardiovascular drugs, anti-seizure drugs, anti-depressants, botox, etc.

There are two therapies which can assist in managing Migraine. Such as;

• Cognitive behavioral therapy: This is a form of treatment which focuses on perceiving pain with behavioral changes.
• Biofeedback: This is a relaxation technique that teaches to control physical responses such as pain, stress, muscle contraction, etc.

Headaches and migraines can vary drastically depending on their duration, specific symptoms and the person they are affecting. The more you know about your specific type of headache or migraine, the better prepared you will be to treat them—and possibly even prevent them. The two types of a migraine are- 

1. Migraine without aura: The majority of migraine sufferers have a Migraine without Aura. 
2. Migraine with aura: Migraine with Aura refers to a range of neurological disturbances that occur before a headache begins, usually lasting about 20-60 minutes.

Symptoms of migraine vary and also depend on the type of migraine. A migraine has four stages: prodrome, aura, headache and postdrome. But it is not necessary that all the migraine sufferers experience all the four stages.

Prodrome: The signs of this begin to appear a day or two days before a headache starts. The signs include depression, constipation, food cravings, irritability, uncontrollable yawning, neck stiffness and hyperactivity.
Migraine Aura: Auras are a range of symptoms of the central nervous system. These might occur much before or during a migraine, but most people get a migraine without an aura. Auras usually begin gradually and increase in intensity. They last for an hour or even longer and are 

• Visual: Seeing bright spots, various shapes, experiencing vision loss, and flashes of light
• Sensory: Present in the form of touch sensations like feeling of pins and needles in the arms and legs
• Motor: Usually related to the movement problems like the limb weakness
• Verbal: It is related to the speech problems

Headache: In case of a migraine attack one might experience:

• Pain on both sides or one side of the head
• Pain is throbbing in nature
• Vomiting and nausea
• Sensitivity to smells, sound and light
• Vision is blurred
• Fainting and lightheadedness

Postdrome: This is the final phase of a migraine. During this phase, one might feel fatigued, though some people feel euphoric.

Red flags that the patient may be having an underlying serious disorder not the migraine

1. Onset of headaches >50 years 
2. Thunderclap headache - subarachnoid haemorrhage 
3. Neurological symptoms or signs 
4. Meningism 
5. Immunosuppression or malignancy 
6. Red-eye and haloes around lights - acute angle closure glaucoma 
7. Worsening symptoms 
8. Symptoms of temporal arteritis

These patients require CT scan / MRI or CSF examination. Most Migraine patients do not need these tests. 

Diagnosis of a Migraine: Usually migraines go undiagnosed and thus are untreated. In case you experience the symptoms regularly then talk to the doctor, who evaluates the symptoms and can start treatment. You can also be referred to a neurologist who is trained to treat the migraines and other conditions. During the appointment, the neurologist usually asks about the family history of headaches and migraines along with your symptoms and medical history.

The doctor might advise for some tests like:

1. Blood Tests: These reveal problems with the blood vessel like an infection in the spinal cord and brain.
2. CT scan: Used to diagnose the infections, tumors, brain damage, and bleeding that cause the migraines.
3. MRI: This helps to diagnose the tumors bleeding infections, neurological conditions, and strokes.
4. Lumbar Puncture: For analyzing infections and neurological damages. In a lumbar puncture, a thin needle is inserted between the two vertebrae to remove a sample of the cerebrospinal fluid for analysis.

Treatments

Migraine treatments can help stop symptoms and prevent future attacks.

Many medications have been designed to treat migraines. Some drugs often used to treat other conditions also may help relieve or prevent migraines. Medications used to combat migraines fall into two broad categories:

• Pain-relieving medications. Also known as acute or abortive treatment, these types of drugs are taken during migraine attacks and are designed to stop symptoms.
• Preventive medications. These types of drugs are taken regularly, often on a daily basis, to reduce the severity or frequency of migraines.

Your treatment strategy depends on the frequency and severity of your headaches, the degree of disability your headaches cause, and your other medical conditions.

Some medications aren't recommended if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. Some medications aren't given to children. Your doctor can help find the right medication for you.

What is Migraine?

Migraine is a disorder characterized by repeated attacks of severe headache.  migraine headache causes throbbing or pulsating pain, usually on only one side of the head. These headaches are often associated with nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound; they generally last between four hours and three days. Migraine headaches, which are often misdiagnosed as sinus or tension headaches, are severe enough to interfere with sleep, work, and other everyday activities. They may occur as often as several times per week or as rarely as once or twice a year.

Early symptoms can occur as long as 24 hours before any head pain, leaving a migraine sufferer confused and often frightened that something is horribly wrong, says spiritual homoeopathy doctors. Something significant is certainly occurring, but many are often relieved to find out it's "just" a migraine. "While it's disturbing, it's not dangerous. In an attempt to help soothe any future fears -- and maybe dispel some of the very real stigma facing migraine sufferers -

Here are some of the most common signs it's a migraine -- before your head even hurts.

The Prodrome Stage

Migraines typically consist of four stages, although each individual migraine sufferer may not experience all four. Prodrome is the very first, and can start anywhere from 12 to 24 hours before you notice any head pain.
 
About 60 percent of migraine sufferers experience the symptoms related with this stage, which include:

• Constipation or diarrhea

• Food cravings

• Irritability, confusion, restlessness or difficulty concentrating

• Muscle stiffness, especially neck stiffness

• Uncontrollable yawning

• Increased urination

• Fatigue

• Depression or euphoria

"Physiologically, there's a kind of cascade of neurochemical events that happen as the migraine begins," says Dr.satish erra , causing this complex web of symptoms.

• Right before pain starts or at the beginning of the headache is the second stage, called AURA, which can consist of a host of sensory signs.
•  About one in five people who get migraines experiences aura, according to WebMD, which can last anywhere from five to 60 minutes,  

"Symptoms can be different from person to person, and may change over time,".

Aura, too, is still rather mysterious to experts, but the SPIRITUAL HOMOEOPATHY  CLINIC explains it may be due to "an electrical or chemical wave that moves across the part of your brain that processes visual signals." Visual symptoms are the most common, says ,spiritual homoeopathy  doctors  including:

• Spots or flashes of light

• Vision loss

• Shimmering spots or stars

Other symptoms can include:

• Numbness or tingling, especially in the arms, legs or face

• Speech problems

• Confusion

• Generally, aura should resolve pretty quickly, according to spiritual homoeopathy doctors, which is what distinguishes it from the more harrowing health conditions that share similar symptoms. However, if symptoms continue for more than an hour, seek medical attention.

• When experiencing  AURA for the first time, keeping migraine risk factors in mind can help quell some of the confusion and fear.

Women are more likely than men to have migraines, as is anyone with a family history.

While a blind spot in your vision and some arm numbness might immediately make you think the worst, don't rule a migraine out.

• Headache And  Postdrome

• In stage three, the crux of the headache, intense throbbing pain is no surprise.
• Some migraine sufferers experience sensitivity to light, sounds or even smells.
• The pain, unfortunately, can last up to 72 hours, before the final stage, postdrome. After the pain subsides, some people may feel drained of energy, while others have reported feeling joyous.
• Others may still feel foggy or confused.

TYPES OF MIGRAINE:

• A classic migraine follows a set of warning symptoms called aura.
• A common migraine strikes without aura.

Common Migraine:

Also called a migraine without aura, common migraine is the most prevalent type of migraine, and it accounts for about 80 percent of patients.

Classic Migraine

Also called migraine with aura.

Menstrual migraine

This type of migraine is related to fluctuating levels in estrogen during a woman's menstrual cycle. Around 60 to 70 percent of female migraine sufferers report a relationship between their migraine headaches and menstruation.

Abdominal Migraine

Abdominal migraine is an episode of moderate to severe abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting that can last up to 72 hours. It is typically seen in children, especially those with a family history of migraine.

Retinal Migraine

Also known as ocular migraine, retinal migraine involves temporary partial or total loss of vision in one eye that can last an hour or less and is not always accompanied by headache.

Familial Hemiplegic Migraine

This is a very rare inherited condition caused by one of several chromosomes.

Basilar Artery Migraine

Ophthalmoplegic Migraine

Status Migrainosus

This is a rare condition characterized by an extremely severe headache that lasts more than 72 hours. Hospitalization is often required to relieve symptoms.   

COMPLICATIONS OF MIGRAINE:

If you get frequent migraines, you may be at an increased risk of depression, anxiety, panic disorders and stroke.

CAUSES OF MIGRAINE:

It’s not fully understood what causes migraines, but they may be caused by a chemical called serotonin. Low levels of serotonin cause changes to the blood vessels in your brain.

PSYCHOLOGICAL – CAUSE:

Pain in the forehead indicates that the person is trying too hard to understand everything without rest.

COMMON TRIGGERS INCLUDE:

• stress
• changes in sleep patterns
• poor posture or tension in your neck and shoulders
• certain food or drink – commonly chocolate, cheese, alcohol, caffeine
• loud noises
• bright or flickering lights
• certain smells
• strenuous exercise if you’re not used to it
• skipping meals
• not drinking enough fluid.

DIAGNOSIS OF MIGRAINE:

There isn’t a specific test that can diagnose migraines. Your GP will ask about your symptoms and look for a pattern with possible triggers. This is where your diary can be useful. They will also examine you and may ask about your medical history.

7 HEALTHY HABITS  THAT CAN REDUCE YOUR MIGRAINES:

These lifestyle changes can help lessen your risk for migraines - and give you an energy boost to boot!

• Eat Regularly
• Maintain a Healthy Weight
• Quit Smoking
• Exercise Gently But Regularly
• Practice Relaxation
• Enough Sleep...Just Not Too Much .

4 Powerful Nutrients for Fighting Migraines

• Magnesium: A diet high in magnesium may help to prevent all kinds of migraines,
• Water
• Healthy Fats
• Omega-3 fatty acids, which are most concentrated in fatty fish, and the monounsaturated fats found in olive oil have both been shown to reduce the frequency, duration, and severity of headaches.

Migraine is a type of headache and is characterized by headache on one side of the head. In many cases of migraine, the pain is experienced all over the head and not just on one side. The pain is throbbing in nature. Migraine is mostly caused due to excess stress. Going out in the sun, improper sleep, exposure to loud noise and disruption in eating patterns are other common causes, which lead to migraine.

Homeopathic medicines are widely used for treating migraine headaches and provide an effective remedy. Here are some homeopathic medicines used for curing migraines of different types.

Belladonna
This is the best homeopathic medicine for migraine which is accompanied by intense throbbing headache. A sense of fullness is also felt in the head, and the headache worsens when exposed to sunlight. Belladonna is also used for migraines developed due to exposure to cold air or catching a cold.

Glonoinum
This form of homeopathic medicine is used for migraines where there is an excessive congestion in the head. The patient might feel that the head would burst, and it seems to be bigger. Heat is felt around the head, and the eyeballs get protruded. Glonoinum is also used to treat migraines, which occur because of long exposure to the sun.

Spigelia
This medicine is very effective for curing migraines felt on the left side of the head or left-sided migraine. The headache is usually located over the left temporal area of the head, forehead and eyes. The patient may have the sensation of a tight band being tied around their head.

Sanguinaria Canadensis
This is a perfect homeopathic medicine for treating right sided migraines where the pain and throbbing are felt on the right side of the head. The pain usually starts from the back of the head and settles over the right eye, affecting the entire right side of the head. The medicine is also prescribed in case of headaches, which occur during the morning and increase during the day. Migraines in women after menopause are also cured by this medicine.

Iris Versicolor
This is an effective homeopathic medicine for treating migraine where intense nausea, vomiting and acidity are observed. The vomiting is acidic, sour and bitter in taste and a burning sensation in the alimentary canal is also felt.

Nux Vomica
In the case of migraines characterized by gastric problems, this medicine is used. It provides an effective cure for migraines, which occur due to indigestion, constipation and piles. When the migraine worsens after intake of spicy food or alcohol, this medicine provides quick treatment.

Homeopathic medicines are very efficient for curing migraine headaches and there are medicines for all types of migraines occurring due to different causes.

A migraine is a headache that causes a distinct pulsating pain, usually in one side of the head. It is different from normal headaches in the sense that the pain is much more intense and it may be accompanied by nausea or vomiting as well. Some patients have also complained about light sensitivity while others have also complained about pain in all areas of the head.

Some of the factors that separate a migraine from a normal headache are as follows:
While a headache may last at best a day, migraines may last longer, sometimes even up to 3 days.

• Feelings of nausea or actual vomiting
• Sensitivity to light
• Extreme sensitivity to changes in sound

Causes Behind Migraines -
Some of the common and known causes, which may trigger migraines in people are:

• Hormonal changes in the body that may have adverse effects
• Dehydration is also known to trigger migraines
• Patients with hypoglycemia may also face migraines if the blood sugar level drops within their body
• Change in air pressure due to change in altitude may also cause migraines to appear
• Lack of sleep
• Stress
• Lifestyle issues such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.

Remedies for Migraine in Homeopathy - 

Migraine is treated in homeopathy by attacking the root causes that may trigger them. Rather than temporarily alleviating pain, homeopathic treatments aim at curing the problem completely.

Some of the medicines that are known to be effective are -

• Natrum Mur: This provides great relief from migraines, which may have been caused by stress. Also, if a proper dosage is taken, it can help cure it as well.
• Belladonna: This had been known to be a great provider of relief for people who regularly face throbbing headaches.
• Glonoine: For people who frequently have migraines due to congestion of the sinuses, this medicine has been known to be very effective.
• Spigelia: To treat migraines on the left side of the head.
• Sanguinaria: Is highly effective for situations where the migraine is on the right side of the head.

Migraine is a type of headache and is characterized by headache on one side of the head. In many cases of migraine, the pain is experienced all over the head and not just on one side. The pain is throbbing in nature. Migraine is mostly caused due to excess stress. Going out in the sun, improper sleep, exposure to loud noise and disruption in eating patterns are other common causes, which lead to migraine.

Homeopathic medicines are widely used for treating migraine headaches and provide an effective remedy. Here are some homeopathic medicines used for curing migraines of different types.

1. Belladonna
This is the best homeopathic medicine for migraine which is accompanied by intense throbbing headache. A sense of fullness is also felt in the head, and the headache worsens when exposed to sunlight. Belladonna is also used for migraines developed due to exposure to cold air or catching a cold.

2. Glonoinum
This form of homeopathic medicine is used for migraines where there is excessive congestion in the head. The patient might feel that the head would burst, and it seems to be bigger. Heat is felt around the head, and the eyeballs get protruded. Glonoinum is also used to treat migraines, which occur because of long exposure to the sun.

3. Spigelia
This medicine is very effective for curing migraines felt on the left side of the head or left-sided migraine. The headache is usually located over the left temporal area of the head, forehead and eyes. The patient may have the sensation of a tight band being tied around their head.

4. Sanguinaria Canadensis
This is perfect homeopathic medicine for treating right sided migraines where the pain and throbbing are felt on the right side of the head. The pain usually starts from the back of the head and settles over the right eye, affecting the entire right side of the head. The medicine is also prescribed in case of headaches, which occur during the morning and increase during the day. Migraines in women after menopause are also cured by this medicine.

5. Iris Versicolor
This is an effective homeopathic medicine for treating migraine where intense nausea, vomiting and acidity are observed. The vomiting is acidic, sour and bitter in taste and a burning sensation in the alimentary canal is also felt.

6. Nux Vomica
In case of migraines characterized by gastric problems, this medicine is used. It provides an effective cure for migraines, which occur due to indigestion, constipation and piles. When the migraine worsens after intake of spicy food or alcohol, this medicine provides quick treatment.

Homeopathic medicines are very effective for curing migraine headaches and there are medicines for all types of migraines occurring due to different causes.

A migraine is a condition where there are pulsing pain and discomfort on one side of the head. Apart from the pain, the migraine will also cause a severe headache and nausea. Lastly, patients may experience physical discomfort in the presence of bright light. While there is no permanent cure for migraines, they can be controlled and minimized with the help of certain medications.

Here are some of the causes and symptoms most commonly associated with migraines.

Causes of Migraines
The exact cause of a migraine is not well understood by the scientific community. However, some of the research indicates that an amalgamation of environmental and genetic factors may play a part in determining who gets affected by the disorder. Abnormality in brain chemical levels, such as serotonin, may be responsible for the pain. Further research is needed to establish the link between serotonin and migraines. Triggers for migraine attacks include-

1. Sudden hormonal changes in women during puberty, pregnancy and menstrual cycles.
2. Certain foods and dairy products
3. Alcoholic drinks, such as wine, and products with a lot of caffeine, like coffee
4. Excessive stress
5. Certain medications that modify the hormone levels

Symptoms of Migraine
Migraines attacks can be divided into four distinct stages, depending on the severity of the symptoms. The four stages include prodrome, aura, headache and post-drome.

1. Prodrome- It is the period just a day or two before an ensuing migraine attack. This stage is characterized by neck stiffness, mood swings, food cravings and constipation.
2. Aura- Auras occur just before or during the migraine attack. During this stage, some people may experience abnormal visual phenomena or even vision loss. Patients may also have difficulty forming words.
3. Attack- When a migraine is left untreated for 72 hours or more, it may progress to this stage. It is characterized by severe head pain, nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness and hypersensitivity to light.
4. Post-drome- This is the final stage and usually occurs after the attack subsides. Patients are left drained and may experience moodiness, dizziness, weakness and confusion.

Role of Homeopathy Against a Migraine
Unlike conventional forms of medicine, homeopathy does not believe in simply popping a pill for the condition. Instead, this branch of science looks to get to the root of the problem and treat the underlying cause that may be resulting in a migraine. However, the homeopathic remedies used differ from one person to the next, even though there are some particular medications that work best in migraine cases.