Natural Home Remedies for Migraines Headache at Headaches-Migraine-Relief.com

What is Migraine Headaches?

Migraine Headaches are paroxysmal ailments, that are accompanied by a severe headache. The headache normally occurs on one side of the head. Migraine is associated with disorders of digestion, liver, and sight. Migraine headaches occur sometimes due to great mental tension and stress. Migraine headache patients are typically smart, inflexible, disciplined. Sudden migraine attacks may occur due to overworked muscles in the head and neck and due to continuous stress.

Treatments

Natural treatment methods for migraine headaches are usually harmless and also cheaper than traditional pain medications. Sure, it’s possible you could experience a negative reaction or even increase your headache pain because of a natural treatment, but the odds are far less than with pain-relieving medications.

Chiropractic adjustments, or chiropractic manipulations, are a very popular natural treatment method for headache relief. Patients with migraine headaches have been visiting chiropractors for over 100 years, and with very good results. Studies have shown that over 80% of headache patients find relief with chiropractic care. Plus, chiropractic treatment has been shown to be extremely safe. Spinal problems do cause headaches and by correcting these spinal problems many headache sufferers find welcome relief.

Biofeedback is another form of treatment that is safe and can be effective in eliminating pain. Biofeedback is a training program designed to help a person develop the ability to control their autonomic (involuntary) nervous system. Functions that are normally automatic can be controlled voluntarily. This technique makes it possible for a person to control their own heart rate, blood pressure, skin temperature, and of course, the relaxation of their tense muscles.

Abortive: The goal of abortive therapy is to prevent a migraine attack or to stop it once it starts. The prescribed medications stop a headache during its prodrome stage or once it has begun and may be taken as needed. Some can be administered as a self-injection into the thigh; others, as a wafer that melts on the tongue. These forms of medication are especially useful for people who vomit during a migraine, and they work quickly.

Preventive: This type of treatment is considered if a migraineur has more than 1 migraine per week. The goal is to lessen the frequency and severity of the migraine attacks. Medication to prevent a migraine can be taken daily.

Some alternative methods are there, such as acupuncture and the use of certain herbs, can help some people. However, it is important to ask your physician about alternative medicines before trying them for yourself. This is especially true of herbal treatments because they can interfere with more traditional methods of treatment.

Summary

The solution to the disease is to take progesterone and avoid estrogen intake. Estrogen may come in the form of birth control pills, hormone replacement, herbs, foods or synthetic chemicals that mimic estrogen. Progesterone opposes the effect of estrogen and resensitizes the body’s estrogen receptors back to normal.

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Migraine headaches are among the most serious and painful type of headaches. They are usually described as an intense, throbbing or pounding pain that involves your temple, forehead, around the eye, or the back of the head. They can also be accompanied by flashing, brightly colored lights in a zigzag pattern usually starting in the middle of the visual field and progressing outward and can also include abnormal tastes and smells.

Migraines are caused by the enlargement of blood vessels and the release of chemicals from nerve fibers that coil around these blood vessels. As your blood vessels enlarge, the nerves surrounding them stretch. This stretching action causes the nerves to release chemicals. These chemicals cause inflammation, pain, and further enlargement of the artery, which intensifies the pain.

About 10% of the world’s population suffers from migraine headaches. And this serious problem is largely under-treated and, in most sufferers, undiagnosed. In fact, less than half of migraine headache sufferers are diagnosed by their doctors.

The first course of treatment for migraines are over-the-counter analgesics and pain relievers (like acetaminophen and ibuprofen among others). Your doctor can also prescribe other medications like triptans to relieve the pain from migraine headaches. But these remedies only treat the symptoms of migraines; that is, they are only effective once the pain begins.

Using traditional migraine remedies on an ongoing basis can also be very expensive. And, they only mask your headache symptoms. They do nothing to eliminate the cause of your headaches. Using these traditional treatments, your headaches will return again and again!

Alternative holistic medical approaches can also be effective for some migraine sufferers. Of course, you should discuss these alternative approaches with your doctor before trying any of these treatments.

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Put simply, migraine involves excess contraction or dilation of the blood vessels in the brain. There are at least three major theories regarding the physiological mechanisms involved and there are many different types of migraine (the major ones being: migraine with aura and migraine without aura) – and several sub-types within each classification.

To treat migraine, identify the trigger and eliminate it – which is often easier said than done. There is little doubt that food intolerance is a major cause of migraine and many studies have demonstrated that detecting and removing the offending food(s) can improve or even eliminate symptoms in the majority of sufferers. A study in the Lancet found that 93% of sufferers found an improvement on eliminating allergenic foods from their diet. Non-food triggers include lack of exercise, stress or strong emotions, constipation, excess or lack of sleep, liver malfunction, weather changes, caffeine withdrawal, certain drugs, dental problems, flashing or glaring lights, low blood sugar or exposure to cigarette smoke. Some migraines result from oestrogen fluctuations and usually decrease after the menopause. Foods containing phyto-oestrogens (citrus fruits, apples, cherries, plums, oats, rice, wheat, carrots, potatoes, parsley and fennel) can have a hormone-balancing effect. The Pill may cause B6 deficiency resulting in migraine.

Diet adjustments – To maintain a steady blood sugar level, eat regular, light meals which include protein but are low in simple carbohydrates (such as sugary and refined foods). Eat extra amounts of almonds, fennel, watercress, and fresh pineapple. Reduce salt intake and avoid acid forming foods (meat, dairy, cereals, grain and bread). Avoid fried and fatty foods.

There are tests which can help to identify problem foods, but the most reliable method is the challenge test. Choose (say) five of the danger foods below and eliminate them from your diet for 3 weeks. If you are symptom free during this period introduce each food one at a time, at least four days apart, eating the food several times a day, and record any reactions – which may take up to three days to appear. If there is no reaction you can assume the food is safe for you to eat. If you do have a reaction, eliminate the food from your diet for at least 6 months before trying to include it again. Common migraine triggers, which you may like to start with, are: alcohol, dairy produce, chocolate, wheat, citrus and shell-fish.

Other possible triggers: Cheese, chocolate, citrus fruits, caffeine, red wine, dairy products (milk, cheese, butter, ice-cream, yoghurt), foods containing gluten (wheat, rye, oats, barley), ‘aged’ foods (e.g. cured, pickled, soured, fermented), monosodium glutamate, red grapes, soya products (including tofu), garlic, onions, shell-fish, salmon, kippers, haddock, mackerel, mussels and scallops. Foods which contain tyramine (e.g. avocados, processed meats, bananas, beer, cabbage, hard cheese, canned fish, potatoes, raspberries, plums, tomatoes, alcohol, yeast, chocolate and spicy foods). As a rule of thumb, often the food you crave most is a problem food for you. However, many of these foods (especially the fish, fruit and vegetables) are very beneficial IF they do not cause migraines. Once eliminated as an allergen, they are safe to eat.

Other ideas
Over-the-counter painkillers may increase headaches, especially those which contain caffeine. If any prescribed medications contain caffeine, discuss changing them with your GP. Do not stop or change any prescribed medicine without contacting your GP. Exercise and deep breathing will improve blood circulation which should help. Some migraines may result from toxic metals in the system – consider having a hair mineral analysis if your lifestyle could expose you to toxins. Research has shown that magnesium or vitamin B2 supplements can help. Analysis can determine which – if any – is appropriate for you and a suitable level and chemical form of supplementation. Physiotherapy may also be helpful.

Supplements which should help (always use hypo-allergenic supplements)

Calcium/Magnesium (chelate form) to regulate muscle tone and nerve transmissions. CoQ10 (or Ginkgo or B3) to improve blood circulation to the brain. Co-enzyme Q10 (CoQ10). A less well known nutrient has also been found effective in helping migraine sufferers. CoQ10 is a naturally occurring substance similar in structure to vitamin K. It is not a vitamin because, subject to the availability of all necessary nutrients, it can be made in the body; but as so often occurs, production declines with age! Its main functions in are in energy production and as an antioxidant.

Now research by Dr Rozen at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation published in the International Headache Society’s journal (March 2002) has found that after three months taking 150mg CoQ10, 61% of patients had a greater than 50% reduction in the number of days with migraine – a significant reduction. The fact that patients in the study had no problems using it, together with other beneficial effects of the nutrient, makes CoQ10 a very appealing agent for migraine prevention.

Natural sources of CoQ10 include beef, chicken, ham, pork, salmon, sardines, mackerel, egg, spinach, sesame seeds and walnuts but no food can provide anything close to the dose used in the trial so supplementation would be necessary. Consult a nutritionist for the dose and best presentation of CoQ10 as there are some specifics to watch out for. All supplements are NOT equal!

EPO – anti-inflammatory and keeps blood vessels from constricting
B5 for stress and B6 to reduce water-retention, along with a B-complex
Quercetin or bromelain help control food allergies
C (buffered form) enhances immune system and aids anti-stress hormone production

Try either of these:
Amino acid chelated magnesium
B2 at 400mg daily

The type of headache is also known by the duration; migraines often last four hours or sometimes even for days. The severity of the pain is often moderate to severe. A severe intensity of pain is often associated with the harsher side effects. The migraine has “triggers” which may furthermore aggravate them. These may be situations such as stress, fatigue, hormonal changes, changes in the weather, food allergies or sensitivities, and even other medical conditions. Side Effects

However, the side effects of migraine headaches vary between people. While for some it causes only the pain, whereas others may have side effects such as nausea, light sensitivity, noise sensitivity, body aches, and fatigue. A doctor should be consulted foe curbing these side effects. Many allopathic as well as herbal medications are available for the cure.

Nausea is caused by sensitivity to smell and physical stomach pain, when suffering a migraine. The patient would find comfort in a place free of food or other smells. Sometimes in severe cases the nausea can be accompanied by vomiting. The doctor should be consulted immediately unless the other viral cause is known.

Environmental sensitivities such as light or sound are among the catalyst and aggravating situation. For a person suffering from the headache, the head is already throbbing with pain. Light or sound can seem to further agitate the situation. The best remedy for most people is a long rest in a dark room.

Dietary Triggers

Dietary triggers of migraines are comestibles like chocolate, banana or red wine. If a person notices a particular sensitivity to any particular foods, they should avoid the foods for a while then reincorporate the offending food in small amounts until there is no longer sensitivity. The doctor should be consulted.

Other dietary factors can include caffeine consumption (either too much caffeine or excessive withdrawal) and how often one takes his meals; even skipping meals can give a person a migraine headache, this is because the drop in blood sugar from missing a proper meal causes all imbalances and thus may trigger a migraine headache. Having too much caffeine or withdrawal from caffeine can also trigger a migraine headache. Knowing that a person has this type of trigger can help them avoid it.

Existing Medical Conditions

Existing medical conditions such as asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome, and sleeping disorders can contribute to migraine headaches. These headaches might also be hereditary, and surprisingly, a startling four of five migraine sufferers have a family history of the condition. For example, if one parent has a history of migraine headaches, the children each have a 50% chance of having migraines themselves; if both parents have a history the children’s chances jump to 75%.

Taking care of the symptoms, individual triggers, and how these factors react with existing medical conditions the person can chary the migraine. Medications are always available but a doctor should be consulted for evaluating your medical status and to the best medications.

For more information about Migraine Headaches

Migraines develop in four stages. Patients with migraines with aura, also known as classic migraines, are most likely to experience all four stages. Patients who have common migraines, migraines without aura, will have the same stages, but are not consciously aware of them. The interval between migraines is sometimes referred to as the fifth stage of a migraine.

Stage One – Prodrome

The prodromal phase usually begins one or two days prior to the actual migraine headache. Many migraineurs call this the “premonition” phase. Feelings during this phase are all over the map. Each migraineur has their own personal prodrome profile. Some are giddy, happy, and full of energy, far more so than usual. Others feel a headache start with fatigue, weakness, and irritability. Anything can herald a migraine and each person has to learn their own prodrome signs if they want to learn to stave off the migraine.

Stage Two – Aura

This phase is skipped by most migraineurs, since most migraineurs suffer from common migraine, migraine without aura. For those who experience classic migraine with aura, auras can begin anywhere from five minutes to an hour before the headache begins. Auras are visual effects migraineurs experience. Objects appear to have bright auras or haloes around them. Lightning flashes arc over the field of vision until sight is whited out just before the pain begins.

Stage Three – Headache

This phase lasts anywhere from four to seventy-two hours. Most common is a one-sided headache with a throbbing or pulsing characteristic. The headache is frequently accompanied by stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, sound, smell, or some combination of the three.

Stage Four – Postdrome

Coming away from a migraine can be as unpleasant as building up to one. Postdrome is often characterized by tenderness of the head, neck, and stomach. Weakness and fatigue are also common in this phase.

Doctors sometimes prescribe a daily medication to reduce the duration and frequency of migraine attacks. These medications are called prophylactic or preventive therapy. There are several classes of drugs approved for use as prophylactic migraine treatments.

Beta Blockers

No one knows how beta blockers prevent migraines, but they seem to. Beta blockers commonly used in migraine therapy include propranolol (Inderal), nadolol (Corgard), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), atenolol (Tenormin), and timolol (Blocadren).

Tricyclic Antidepressants

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) prevent migraine headaches by altering two of the neurotransmitters, nor epinephrine and serotonin, that the nerves in the brain use to communicate. Since migraines and depression are considered comorbid conditions they are a particularly good fit for many migraineurs. TCAs that have been used in migraine therapy include amitriptyline (Elavil), imipramine (Tofranil), doxepin (Sinequan), and imipramine (Tofranil).

Side effects of TCAs include increased heart rate, blurred vision, difficulty urinating, dry mouth, constipation, and weight change.

Anticonvulsants

Antiseizure medications, also called anticonvulsants, have been used to prevent migraine headaches. Like many prophylactic migraine treatments, it is not known how they work to prevent migraines, simply that they do. The anticonvulsants gabapentin, valproic acid, topiramate, and phenobarbital have all been used in migraine therapy.

Calcium-Channel Blockers

Calcium-channel blockers (CCBs), in addition to blocking calcium from entering the muscle cells of the heart, appear to block a serotonin uptake. It is the latter that has caused their occasional use in preventing migraines. The CCBs used in preventing migraines are verapamil (Calan, Verelan, Isoptin), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac), and nimodipine.

Antiserotonin Agents

The antiserotonin agents methysergide and methylergonovine can be used in migraine prophylaxis, but their potential side effects are so severe, including retroperitoneal fibrosis (scarring of tissue around the ureters that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder) and scarring around the lungs, that they are rarely used in this capacity.

All of us know that a Migraine can be very frustrating and devastating. Migraine makes a person suffer like hell because he/she can’t do anything but writhe all over with pain. The usual method that people adopt is to take pain relievers for getting rid of migraine. However, these alternatives may have harmful side effects if taken for long. A natural therapy for treating migraine has much to offer!

Alongside conventional treatments, there are several natural remedies for migraine. There are various kinds of foods thought to be the “triggers” or cause of migraine. The “trigger” food include chocolate, eggs, citrus fruits, meat like beef, pork, chicken, turkey and fish, wheat, nuts, tomatoes, onions, corn etc. About 20-50% of adults are shown to get relief from their migraine attacks by avoiding the trigger foods. So, by making some alterations in your diet, you can get rid of this problem.

Another tip for controlling your migraine pain is to do breathing exercises. Slow down your breath and let the breathing become deep and long. It improves the circulation of blood to the head region which greatly improves the headache condition offering good relief. Many people have noticed that that stress or strong emotions trigger their migraines. I know that you can’t do anything about your hectic working schedules but you can take proper precautions for dealing with migraine problems. For instance, vitamin B5 is important in a nutritional approach to stress management and vitamin C aids anti-stress hormone production.

A nutrient known as CoQ10 has been found effective for treating migraine. CoQ10 is a naturally occurring substance similar in structure to vitamin K. Its main functions in are in energy production and as an antioxidant. In migraine it’s thought to help by improving blood circulation to the brain. Natural sources of this nutrient include beef, chicken, ham, pork, salmon, sardines, mackerel, egg, and spinach.

Well, above are some of the factors that should be taken into notice for treating your migraine in a natural manner. A few simple efforts can bring about a big difference for dealing with migraine problem!

Here is a case wherein after umpteen zillion migraine treatments, this kid despaired to the point where when she had a migraine, she would go into the coolest, darkest place in the house – which was the bathroom – and lie down on the floor with her head beside the cold stone of the tub and cry out, “Just kill me. Please, just kill me.” This kid had had too early on the subjection to the worst of physical ailments. For this type of pain you simply cannot meditate away with your thoughts neither can you do any mind-control exercises nor experiments that will prevent your head from thinking about pain..as the pain is IN the tool you use to think away or re-think.

On the other hand, one of the advanced migraine treatments of the sixties and seventies (especially the latter) was to make use of a form of biofeedback, psychically reducing or to do away with the pain by focusing on changing the alpha/beta wave patterns by warming the hands and rubbing the feet, etc. The blood leaves the extremities during [most] migraines. If you suffer any of these abominations, you will observe at onset your feet and hands turn cold. So in turn warming by rubbing does a couple of things: the blood flow returns, and it alters your brain wave patterns/activity so the focus is not so intense.

These versions of migraine treatments were recommended after the kid had been suggested to chemical migraine treatments (Equigesic, sub-lingual pills, Caffergot, Darvoset, and more); to allergy identification migraine treatments (by trying to find the offending food or smell source and getting rid of it); and to those migraine education sessions in the family doctor’s office that helped only to the degree that they justified and consoled with pamphlets on the history of migraines and famous migraine sufferers or the medical explanation that a normal blood flow runs through the fingers of veins, axons, dendrites at a regulated pace, but abnormally pools and bunches in one area thereby creating the traffic jam throbbing as blood attempts to gush into an area only capable of taking half that amount. The kid undertook several migraine treatments as they were developed and initiated. She even did a research on migraine treatments. However she continued to suffer the bastards. The years of Qualuudes and other ill-gotten street versions of migraine treatments aside, she found that only two methods combined work for her: doctor prescribed Imitrex (which she took at onset, foregoing, after the first trial, the preliminary pills that made her puke more) and the highly controversial (addictive) Vicodin. The frustrating reality is that migraines are not fully explicit and migraine treatments are just left to that; generally treatments that can get you high enough to forget but that do not treat or eliminate.

Even though optical migraines do not have any specific definition, the general belief of an optical migraine is, one that includes a vision disturbance is known as an “aura”. The auras may come with the pain of severe headache, or may not have any pain.

The migraines that come with an aura are rarer than common migraines. The common migraines do not have any aura, and they may be enervating the victim of the migraine. Normally a patient suffers from the vision disturbances that persist for 5-20 min, and seldom cause any permanent impairment to the eye. The auras may vary evidently from patient to patient, and even from headache to headache.

The appearance of an aura

The aura consorted with an optical migraine usually presents before the beginning of migraine pain. It may appear in different forms, which include blind spots, flashing light or bright colours, zigzagging lines or other geometric patterns. It can also include “floaters”, which are very small objects that appear to float across the eye in a repetitive manner. These strange disturbances may also cause dizziness and nausea, a feeling of confusion or a sense of imbalance. These symptoms may occur in one or both the eyes.

Treatment for optical migraine

When anyone suffers from optical migraines, the best way of action is to lie down in a dark and quiet room with a cool compress over the eyes or forehead. Sleeping is usually the best remedy for these headaches, in addition, mostly, that will also eliminate the aura. If anyone suffers from frequent and intense optical migraines, it is better to consult a physician for prescription treatments.

Prescription medications either can be given on a day-to-day basis, to act as a preventative measure; or can be used at the first appearance of an optical migraine, to decrease or even eradicate the later symptoms. It is believed that Lewis Carroll (1832-1898), the author of “Alice in Wonderland”, suffered from optical migraines. Possibly, it was his fascinating aura, in association with a pictorial imagination, which brought off to invent a world of disappearing cats, shrinking people, and talking flowers.

Today, many physicians refer to the “Alice in Wonderland Syndrome” when talking about the diversity of auras that can take place during a migraine sequence. The good thing is that there are a number of treatments are available to reduce and even eradicate the number of optical migraines a person can get.

While most people only think about the piercing pain in their head that they experience during a migraine attack, there are quite a few associated symptoms. Some of these symptoms can occur before the headache begins and are used as warning signs by people who suffer from frequent migraines. If you have symptoms before your headache begins, you probably have classic migraines. These warning signs are often called auras. If you don’t have any symptoms before the migraine begins, you are most likely suffering from common migraines.

Usually, if you have classic migraines, you won’t have common migraines. However, on occasion, you may suddenly have one type of migraine when you usually have the other. No matter which type of migraine you have, there are quite a few symptoms that can develop because of an attack. Some are more common before a classic attack, while others can happen during all types of migraines. Here is a list of common symptoms you should be aware of.

* A dull ache developing in the jaw, neck, or back of the head.

* Pain in an eye socket.

* Pain in your forehead.

* Loss of vision in one of your eyes for a short time.

* Blurred vision in either one or both of your eyes.

* Strange odors that only you can smell.

* Visual or auditory hallucinations.

* Nausea.

* Sensitivity to light.

* Pain when you stand up or sit down.

* Loss of hand-eye coordination.

* Dizziness and problems with balance.

* Speaking difficulties.

* Difficulty focusing and thinking clearly.

* Exhaustion.

* Weakness in one or all your limbs.

* Temporary paralysis on either your right or left side.

You may notice that some of your migraines are gone in just a few hours, especially if you take a long nap and a painkiller. However, more severe migraines are more debilitating, taking an entire night or even two weeks to finally disappear. If you suffer from one of these migraines, don’t expect to bounce back right away. The longer period of pain will probably leave you feeling extremely drained and tired for several days after the headache is gone.

So, if you suffer from migraines, be sure to learn your symptoms. With experience, you may be able to lessen the severity of a developing migraine. A combination of immediate rest, medication and a dark, quiet room will often help reduce the impact of the approaching migraine. Prevention is always better than cure folks.