Migraine – Causes, Triggers, Symptoms, Treatments and Cures

Migraine, by definition, means half the head. The word migraine is most commonly used to describe an intense headache. The migraine headache affects approximately 15% of the population. Women are affected 3 times more than men. Children can also experience migraines, but they often experience abdominal migraines (stomach pain without the headache).

Causes of Migraine

In the past, scientists believed a narrowing and widening of blood vessels in the brain caused a migraine. Medical science now believes a migraine headache is caused by a disorder in the brain that may be genetic (passed through the family line).

In this disorder electrical changes in the brain cause the release of inflammatory (swelling) chemicals, irritating nerve roots in response to certain triggers.

Triggers of Migraines

Migraine triggers can include food or chemical (particularly alcohol) intolerance, bright flashing
lights, stress, physical activity, weather changes, hormonal changes, episodes of low blood sugar from poor food choices and nutritional deficiencies, or any combination of these.

Stages/Symptoms of Migraines

There are four stages typical to a migraine headache. Not all sufferers experience all stages.

1. The Prodromal Phase

This first phase experienced by 40-60% of migraine sufferers comes between just hours to several days before the headache. Symptoms include sleepiness, stiff neck, fatigue, irritability, depression, increased urination, altered bowel habits, and craving sweet foods.

2.The Aura Phase

This second phase is experienced by 20-30% of migraine sufferers. It comes just before the headache. Symptoms of this phase include seeing flashing/kaleidoscope like lights, dizziness, pins and needles/numbness on one side of the face or down one arm, difficulty speaking, an intense sense of smell, or hearing noises.

3.The Headache

The majority of migraine sufferers experience this third and main phase. It varies in intensity and is generally on only half the head. Vomiting and nausea, diarrhea, and sweating often accompany the headache. Many migraine sufferers find it necessary to lie down in a darkened room until the worst passes. This phase can last several hours to several days.

4.The Postdrome

Most migraine sufferers experience this final phase. The individual generally feels tired, irritable, and has difficulty concentrating.

Treatment

Conventional treatment includes medications to prevent the headache or to shorten the attack and relieve the headache.

Alternative treatment involves a holistic approach. This would involve identifying and reducing triggers with changes in life style and diet, reducing stress, correcting nutritional deficiencies and neck and spinal misalignments.

Here are my 8 top tips for curing your migraine:

1.Keep your blood sugar balanced by eating a wholefood diet with regular meals and avoiding refined foods made from white flour, sugar in any form including honey and syrup.

2.Take a nutritional supplement designed to correct a blood sugar imbalance.

3.Take a reputable food and chemical intolerance test to identify food and chemical sensitivities and avoid them.

4.Get a hair mineral analysis done to identify mineral deficiencies especially magnesium and use diet and supplements to correct these.

5.Take steps to balance your hormones through diet and nutritional supplements.

6.Reduce or avoid stress and practice relaxation techniques or yoga regularly.

7.Avoid known triggers like excessive or strenuous exercise or flashing lights.

8.Get an osteopath or chiropractor to check that your neck and spinal bones are not out of alignment.

By understanding more about migraine and finding the underlying cause or causes and correcting them may take time but will be well worth it in the end when you reduce or eliminate your migraines
for good.