|
|
Common Health Problems |
<<back |
 |
Migraine
Shannon Gordon, MT, Aquafit Instructor, MBRPA |
|
Migraines can affect some people about two or three times a year and others as frequently as twice a week or more. There appears to be a genetic link. People who get migraines are thought to have an inherited abnormality in the regulation of blood vessels. Research links migraines to a vascular disorder caused by a tightening (constriction) and sudden opening (dilation) of the blood vessels in the head, neck or scalp. There are two types of migraines known as Common and Classic.
Common migraines often begin with warning signs & symptoms:
*Cravings for sweet foods
*Fluid retention
*Mood changes
*Headache
During the migraine, pain may be felt on one or both sides of the head, with intense pain centered behind one eye, lasting an hour or a few days, that can vary from person to person. This results in eye sensitivity to light, sweating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, anorexia or fluid build-up in the legs. The muscles in the neck may also be tight.
Classic migraines begin with an aura. These pre-migraine symptoms may begin ½ an hour to an hour before the migraine starts, and last 10-30 minutes before the actual migraine. The aura may consist of any the following, although is not limited to them because people have different signs and symptoms:
*Any or all of the common migraine warning signs listed above
*Taste in the mouth
*Visual disturbances (may see flashing lights, bright spots, vision loss in one eye)
*Sensation disturbances
*Equilibrium imbalance causing clumsiness
*Legs and arms may be cold
*Nausea
*Pale
In addition to the pre-migraine symptoms, during an attack the following symptoms may occur:
*Numbness or tingling in the hand, tongue or side of face
*Moderate to severe throbbing pain for four to 72 hours that is frequently on one side of the head
*Nausea, with or without vomiting
*Sensitivity to light and sound
 The constriction of blood vessels within certain areas of the brain is the cause of the aura. This contributes to the cold extremities and sensory hallucinations. The head pain of the migraine is produced by the blood vessel dilation occurring after the constriction.
Dietary triggers include:
*Alcoholic drinks (especially red wine)
*Caffeine, including cola drinks
*Sugar
*Foods containing the phenolic chemical tyramine (for example, aged cheeses, sour cream, yeast extracts and Yogurt). See the Link below to phenolic intolerances. For some people this is the key factor
*Chocolate
*Bananas
*Aspartame, saccharine, maltitol, mannitol and other artificial chemical sweeteners
*Dairy products
*Foods with additives such as nitrites (in hot dogs, luncheon meats), MSG (monosodium glutamate), or aspartame.
Other (predisposing) factors include:
*Hormonal Changes, especially in women
*Environmental Stressors including leaking mercury amalgam fillings; lead, cadmium and other heavy metals that are in the environment now; geopathically stressed bedrooms and workrooms; radiation stress and electromagnetic stress; old or poor dental work, especially root canal problems and impacted wisdom teeth; toxic residues from hazardous chemicals ; vaccination stress; toxic residues from previous viral infections;
*Change in sleep habits
*Overuse of headache medicines, may sometimes provoke migraines
*Emotional Changes, both negative (anxiety, depression or frustration) and positive feelings (like excitement)
*Change in weather (low-pressure weather front) or temperature
*High altitudes
*Bright or fluorescent lights or sunlight
*Loud noises
*Strong odors
Things that trigger migraines in one person might not affect another. One method to combat migraines is to observe what triggers yours and avoiding those things when possible. To help determine the best treatment approach I suggest creating a personal migraine diary including:
*Each attack
*Triggers
*When they started and what you were doing
*How long it lasted
*Type of pain (burning, throbbing, etc.)
*Level of pain (Using a scale of 1-5)
*Sensitivities during the headache
*Any medications taken within 48 hours before the migraine started
*Any other relevant information
Ways to help ease or overcome living with migraine
*Maintain a healthy lifestyle
*Get regular sleep
*Relaxation therapy such as meditation
*Self massage to the neck muscles
*Healthy diet
*Yoga
*Aerobic exercise for ½ hour, three times a week, working up to a vigorous work-out to promote efficient Circulation
*Alternative therapies such as reflexology; massage; acupressure; acupuncture; homeopathy
*FInd a practitioner who is able to test you, who can identify any historical toxic factors, any environmental stress factors, any phenolic intolerances or allergies that are relevant for you, and who can help you get rid of them or reduce the burden they place on you. This can significantly raise the threshold for having a migraine and sometimes prevent migraines completely
*Appropriate hydrotherapy: between migraines - Contrast showers (hot then cold), foot baths, heat to the neck. During migraines - Cold compresses, gel packs to the face, scalp, eyes, wrists and feet may assist with constriction and reduce the pain of congestion
*A hot bath taken when you note the temperature of your extremities dropping has been observed to prevent occurrence of migraine. Avoid heat once the migraine has begun
*Multivitamin and mineral supplement, especially Vitamin B6; C; E (Avoid high dosage supplements if taking anticoagulants); Magnesium and Flaxseed oil or fish oil.
*Ginger
*Feverfew is analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant (avoid if pregnant or using anticoagulant
drugs)
*Medications prescribed only by a medical doctor
Seek professional help if any of the following occur:
*Migraine appears suddenly and is more severe and different from past headaches, or worsens over time
*Migraine is triggered by exertion, coughing, or bending
*Migraine is linked with a stiff neck and fever
*Migraine is accompanied by disturbed vision, speech, numbness, tingling or weakness in any part of the body
*Migraine makes it difficult for you to think and remember
*Migraine accompanies severe vomiting
*Migraine follows a head injury
© Copyright Wholistic Research Company 2001
Click here for additional copyright information. |
| Links to Related Articles... | |
|
|
|
|
| Book Reviews : Inspiring Books | Case Studies & Testimonials | Common Health Problems | Complementary Medicine: Treatment & Therapies | Did You Know.........?? | Editor's Private Notebook | Feature Articles | Feng Shui Newsletters | First Time Visitor? | Fitness, Sports & Health | Health Issues In The News | Health Professionals | Healthy Eating! | How Your Body Works | Lifestyle & Nutrition | Meet The Health Team | Positive News Towards Health, Harmony, Happiness |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
