Migraine: Getting over the Pain


A primary headache disorder which is characterized by recurrent headaches that are moderate to severe in intensity is known as migraine. It may come as a surprise that migraine is the third most prevalent illness in the world. Another fact about migraines that may surprise you is that migraine is the 6th most disabling illness in the world. Migraine Research Foundation has stated that 12% of people including children suffer from migraines. More than 90% of sufferers are unable to work or function normally during the migraine. It is a public health issue and makes one less productive when the serious attacks of migraines are present.

The most common ages of people suffering from migraines have been identified between 18 and 44 years of age. Women suffer from migraines more than men do. The severe pain that migraine results in can last for hours and even days.

Migraine vs. Headache: How Can You Tell the Difference?



Since the exact cause of migraines is not known, there are triggers of migraines that have been identified:

·        Changes in Hormones:
Hormonal changes, especially in women, make a lot of them experience symptoms of migraine during pre-menstrual syndrome, menstruation, during menopause and during other phases of their lives where hormonal changes predominate.

·        Triggers in Emotional Sphere:
The factors that interfere with the emotions of people such as stress, depression, anxiety, excitement, and shock can act as triggers of migraine.

·        Dietary Factors:
Certain food and drinks in a diet can contribute to triggers of migraine.  Drinks such as alcohol, caffeinated drinks can trigger migraines. Other foods that have been identified as triggers of migraines in some people include chocolate, cheese, citrus fruits, and foods containing tyramine. 

·        Irregular Meals:
If meals are not taken timely, it can act as a trigger of migraine in many people.

·        Dehydration:
In some people, not drinking enough water regularly can lead to dehydration which can increase the chances of getting attacks of migraine.

·        Certain Medications:
Allopathic medications such as Hormone Replacement Therapy or HRT medications, contraceptive pills act as possible triggers in many people.

·        Environmental Triggers:
Triggers such as screens which flicker, strong smells, second-hand smoke, and loud noises can set off migraines. Stuffy rooms, changes in temperature, bright lights can trigger migraines.

·        Missing on Sleep Routine:
Some people develop migraines on losing sleep of even one hour.

·        Weather Changes:
Changes in temperature, in barometric pressure, strong winds, and even changes in altitudes can trigger migraines in many people.

·        Genetic Susceptibility:
Research into the genes involved has provided insights into many contributing genetic factors to migraine. While some types of migraines can be inherited in a percentage of 30% to 60%, the other types of migraine such as familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM) show a dominant pattern of inheritance with 70 to 90% of penetrance.

A migraine can be with aura or without aura. The four phases of migraine have been identified which need not be present in each person suffering from migraine:

·        Prodrome Phase:
It occurs hours or days before the headache and occurs in 60% of those with migraines. The symptoms may include a variety of phenomenon including altered mood, irritability, depression, euphoria or experience of excitement, fatigue, craving for certain foods, stiff muscles especially in neck, constipation or diarrhea, and sensitivity to smells or noise.

·        Aura Phase:
An aura is a perpetual disturbance experienced by some people with epilepsy or migraine. Migraines can occur with aura or without aura. Auras appear over a number of minutes and generally last less than 60 minutes. Visual disturbances and other effects occur most frequently. Some people might experience pins and needles on one side in the hand and arm which may spread to the nose-mouth area on the same side. Auditory hallucinations or delusions have also been experienced.

·        Pain Phase:
Headache in migraine is classically unilateral, throbbing, and moderate to severe in intensity. It comes on gradually and is aggravated by physical activity.
In more than 40% of cases, the pain may be bilateral and is associated with neck pain. Bilateral pain is particularly common in those who have migraines without an aura. Pain can last from 4 to 72 hours in adults.
Pain can be accompanied by nausea in 90% of cases and one-third of cases suffer from vomiting.  Other symptoms can include blurred vision, nasal stuffiness, diarrhea, frequent urination, pallor, or sweating.

·        Postdrome:
Once the acute headache has settled, many report a sore feeling in the area where the migraine was present. Some people also report impaired thinking, while others may feel tired and ‘hungover’. Some people feel euphoric after an attack, whereas others have depression and malaise.

Managing and Avoiding Migraine is not tough! You just need the right guidance.

Let us look at the ways through which we can manage migraines:

·        Pick up your water bottle!
Yes, drinking water regularly during the day keeps you away from unnecessary dehydration which can lead to the onset of migraines.

·        Take good and refreshing sleep!
Take adequate rest and sleep so that lack of sleep doesn’t become a triggering factor.

·        Avoid dietary triggers!
Observe the onset of your migraines closely. Avoid the foods in the diet that you find acting as triggers to your migraines. Eat healthy meals on time.

·        Consult your doctor in case of medicinal triggers!
If you find your migraine getting triggered or getting worsened after taking certain medications, consult your doctor so that medications can be changed.

·        Take customized homeopathic treatment!
Homeopathic remedies designed according to your case, keeping in mind the specific factors that trigger and relieve your migraine can help a lot.  Homeopathy helps with the pain of medicinal origin also. The nature of your migraine including the kind and side of pain and the symptoms accompanying it such as vomiting, nausea, determine the homeopathic remedies prescribed for you. Each and every symptom and causation are addressed with a holistic approach. The detailed case-taking conducted by a homeopathic doctor is essential for accurate prescription.
Along with pain and associated symptoms, one also finds relief in symptoms that are present before and after the migraine such as extreme tiredness, over-excitement.  Please do not take any homeopathic medicine without consulting a homeopathic doctor.

You can be a lot more productive by bringing your migraine under control!


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