The pain. The pressure. The pounding. Migraine headaches can be almost maddening. The symptoms of a migraine go far JL beyond a typical headache. Adding insult to injury, the pain in your head can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fatigue, or sensitivity to light. According to the Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine by Michael T. Murray, N.D., and Joseph Pizzorno, N.D., signs of a classic migraine include:
Severe throbbing pain, always beginning, and often remaining, on one side of the head.
Head pain accompanied by nausea, with or without vomiting.
One-half of the people who get migraines have warning symptoms (auras) before the onset of pain; typical auras last a few minutes and include blurring or bright spots in the vision, anxiety, fatigue, disturbed thinking, or numbness or tingling on one side of the body.
The attack typically starts in the morning, peaks within an hour, lasts four to 24 hours and can happen several times a month. More than a headache, a migraine is a serious problem affecting approximately 18 million American@women three times more frequently than men. It is estimated that as many as 25 to 30 percent of the female population has experienced migraines.
It is believed that a migraine occurs when the blood vessels in the brain constrict and narrow, which is followed by excessive widening of those vessels. Conventional medicine uses prescription and over-the-counter drugs to alleviate the pain; unfortunately, this does nothing to help cure the iIIness. Even worse, many d rugs used for migraine can cause rebound headaches, which are headaches brought on by the medication.
To completely eliminate migraines, you need to first discover the root cause. By addressing and treating the actual cause of the migraine, and by proactively incorporating preventive techniques, migraine sufferers will have a much better chance for long-term relief.
Editor's note: Migraines and headaches can be very serious. Consult with your physician for proper diagnosis.
There are many theories as to what actually causes a migraine. While many people believe stress is a key cause, experts tell us that stress will not cause a migraine. However, it may trigger one in susceptible individuals.
Several books and clinical studies suggest that the key underlying cause to most migraines is allergy.
"Food allergy plays the greatest single part in the causation of this disease," according to Dr. John Mansfield in his book, The Migraine Revolution. 'Precipitants, such as tension, flashing lights, blows to the head, exercise and so on are secondary and cause no problems once the primary causes have been eliminated."
In the book Who Needs Headaches? by Cass [gram, D.O., food allergy is also emphasize as a key cause of migraine: "Many people overlook the fact that the vas majority of migraine headaches resuIt from physical problems, physical derangements and physical diseases, not mental or psychological ones." Dr. [gram shares a list of the most significant causes of migraine
* allergies to fc a!
* chemicals
* chemical sensitivities
* structural defects and/or muscle tension
* hormonal disorders/imbalances
* blood sugar disturbances
* digestive disturbances
* infections (such as colds and flus) 'There is little doubt that food allergy/intolerance is the major cause of migraine headache," according to author and researcher Michael T. Murray, N.D. "Many careful doubleblind, placebo-controlled studies have demonstrated that the detection and removal of allergic/intolerant foods will eliminate or greatly reduce migraine symptoms in the majority of sufferers."
In addition to food allergies, sensitivities to specific foods can bring on a migraine. Chocolate, cheese, and alcohol have been reported to be common triggers of migraine headaches.
The best way to prevent dietary migraines is with an elimination diet. By eliminating certain foods from the diet, then reintroducing them one at a time, you will see which food or food group causes problems. Frequent problem foods are wheat, corn, dairy, and simple sugars. Alcohol and smoking can also be linked to migraines.
'If the patient suffers from many food or chemical allergies, there are Iikely to be major problems with avoidance,' explained Dr. Mansfield. He recommends visiting a healthcare provider who is experienced at using neutralization and desensitization techniques. These procedures immediately enable patients to eat foods to which they are sensitive or inhale chemicals to which they are sensitive without adverse effect."
In addition to controlling food allergy and intolerances, other therapies are available to help alleviate migraines.
While migraines can vary dramatically from one individual to the next, some common natural treatments are available, including: 9 herbal medicines o homeopathic remedies o nutritional supplements o chiropractic care o acupuncture. For more information regarding headaches and chiropractic care, refer to the article in Health Counselor, Vol. 8, No. 5, beginning on page 16. Regarding acupuncture, Dr. Murray believes, "Sufficient evidence exists to support the use of acupuncture to relieve migraine pain.' One study featuring acupuncture reported that 40 percent of the people receiving the treatment experienced a 50 to I 00 percent reduction in severity and frequency.
The most common botanical extract used to prevent and treat migraines is feverfew. One survey of 270 migraine sufferers taking feverfew daily revealed that 70 percent of them had a decrease in frequency and/or intensity of their migraine attacks. A 1988 double-blind study featured in the Lancet showed that patients receiving feverfew had a reduction in the number and severity of attacks. Still another study featured in the British Medical Journal reported that patients taking 60 mg of feverfew leaves daily had a far lower incidence of nausea and vomiting during episodes compared to those taking a placebo.
The herb ginger also shows promise in the treatment of migraines, especially in helping to reduce nausea and vomiting associated with migraines.
Cayenne pepper is still another option for those suffering from migraine. According to the Natural Health Education Institute (NHEI) at Bastyr University, "Two recent research studies have confirmed the potential migraine preventing effects of cayenne. This widely-grown food seasoning has long been recognized to make nerve endings less sensitive to painful stimuli through its effect upon Substance P in the nervous system.'
Also, according to the NHEI at Bastyr, homeopathic remedies containing belladonna 9C, lycopodium 1 X or 2X, gelsemium semper virens 9C, and/or psorinum 9C will also help alleviate migraines.
Nutritional options include magnesium, bioflavonoids, niacin, and omega3 fatty acids. Of these, magnesium has received the most attention ' individuals who get frequent migraines have been shown to be deficient in magnesium.
From a dietary standpoint, once food allergies are taken care of, the diet should emphasize vegetable oils, fish oils, garlic, and onions. These foods have been shown to inhibit platelet aggregation, which is associated with migraine headaches. "The diet should be low in sources of arachidonic acid (animal fats)," according to the Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine. "The primary foods to eliminate are alcoholic beverages, cheese, chocolate, citrus fruits, and shellfish."
While we may get tired of hearing about the value of "an ounce of prevention," no cliche has ever been more true. Preventing an attack is a top priority for migraine sufferers. Many of the treatment options discussed previously can be utilized as powerful prevention techniques.
They include:
* Magnesium 500 mg daily
* Niacin 50 mg daily
* Quercetin 500 mg daily (a bioflavonoid)
* Cayenne 25 mg twice daily
* Feverfew 25 mg dried leaves twice daily
Being keenly aware of your diet will also help prevent future attacks. Work with a healthcare provider that can help you control food allergies, as this has been proven to be a key cause.
Other factors that can help prevent a migraine attack include:
reducing and effectively coping with stress;
chiropractic adjustments; and
massage or other body work.
What's even more appealing is that utilizing these preventive measures and natural medicine treatment options is completely safe.
If you are one of the countless Americans afflicted with this painful condition, recognize that you don't have to just live with it. You have options that are safe and effective.
Begin by looking at your diet. Get help from a qualified professional to determine if you have any food allergies, intolerances, or chemical sensitivities. Look to herbal and homeopathic medicines for relief and take nutritional supplements to help prevent migraine attacks.
Recognize that while it is all in your head, it's not "all in your head." Through a comprehensive treatment and prevention plan, you can successfully shout, 'NO MORE MIGRAINES!"
