What is a migraine?
A migraine can only be described as the worst headache you have ever experienced times ten. It is not just a headache as other symptoms are often present, with the pain situated on the side of the head usually.
Vision can be affected, and a bad migraine can leave some suffers in bed for up to three days. It affects adults of all genders with adolescents and pre-menopausal women being the most affected groups.
Symptoms
A flickering-lights affect across the line of vision is usually the first indication that you are going to get a migraine with a pain usually sited over one eye. Many complain of nausea and vomiting.
Causes
There are many triggers for migraines, and a lot of them are hereditary. Triggers include allergies, liver malfunction, constipation, hormonal changes, and low blood sugar levels are often associated with migraine attack. Another thing to note is that the lower the blood-sugar level, the more severe the headache tends to be. Smoking, because the carbon monoxide affects blood vessels in the body, can bring on an attack. Some people find certain foods can trigger an attack, such as chocolate, alcohol, any food that is aged, cured, fermented, yeasty, or pickled.
Complementary Approach
The following information does not constitute a prescription or recommendations – this is included for your information only.
EAT: As migraines have been linked to low blood sugar levels, it is essential that your diet enables you to stabilise your blood sugar levels. A diet high in protein and low in simple carbohydrates to keep blood sugar levels from dropping or rising too high is recommended. Include in your diet the following foods: Cherries, garlic, fresh pineapple, fennel, almonds, almond milk, and watercress. Eat small, regular meals with high protein snacks throughout the day in order to safeguard against a drop in sugar levels. Never, ever miss a meal.
DON’T EAT: Acid-forming foods such as meat, cereal, bread, and grains are best avoided, as well as foods that contain the amino acid called tyramine. This compound is found in avocados, beer, cabbage, red plums, tomatoes, yeast, aubergine, potatoes, cheeses, canned fish, and dairy products.
Avoid alcohol, especially beer and wine. Avoid spicy foods, aspirin, MSG, preservatives (like the ones found in ‘fast meat products’; hot-dogs, pork pies, and luncheon meats). Some sufferers find great relief if they cut salt out of their diet (1).
Nutrients
The following information does not constitute a prescription or recommended dose – studies have been conducted using the dosages stated and are included for your information only. The nutrients mentioned here are often recommended by healthcare practitioners
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA): Has been known to reduce symptoms (2). Take as directed on label.
Calcium: Minerals that help transmit nerve impulses throughout the brain and help regulate muscular tone (3,4). Take 2,000 mg daily.
Take with magnesium (5,6,7) at a daily dose of 1,000 mg daily (8).
Nutritional Supplements
Vitamin B3 (niacin): Take 200 mg 3 times a day. Do not exceed this amount. Do not take if you have gout, liver disorder or high blood pressure.
Take with niacinamide at 800 mg daily. The niacinamide will increase blood flow to the brain.
Coenzyme Q10: Improves circulation, especially the blood flow to the brain. Take 60 mg daily.
Rutin: Toxic metals may cause some migraines, and this supplement removes such metals. Take 200 mg daily
Dimethylglycine: Improves brain oxygenation if taken twice daily each dose at 125 mg.
Multivitamin and mineral formula: Necessary for balance. Take as directed on label.
Herbs that may help this condition
The herbs mentioned here have historically been considered beneficial in the treatment of various conditions including migraines, along with the herbs mentioned in the previous section. Therefore, healthcare practitioners often recommend them.
Evening Primrose Oil: Is an anti-inflammatory and therefore keeps the blood vessels from constricting.
Feverfew: Has long been used in the treatment of migraine (9,10,11,12). Feverfew reduces the duration, frequency, and the severity of migraine headaches. Take as directed on label.
Ginger: Because it is traditionally used in the treatment of nausea, it has been found to be beneficial to migraine sufferers (13). Take 4-6 grams of powder a day or use 1.5-3 ml of tincture 3 times daily.
The following herbs are also effective: Cayenne (14), willow bark, valerian, mint, gingko biloba (15), rosemary, and wormwood. (Do not take wormwood long-term and do not take if you are pregnant).
Further Information
Do not smoke and keep out of smoky atmospheres.
Have a head and neck massage once a week.
Get tested for food intolerance’s as they may well be triggering the migraine (16,17,18,119).
References
1. Brainard JB. Angiotensin and aldosterone elevation in salt-induced migraine. Headache 1981;21:222-26.
2. Glueck CJ, McCarren T, Hitzemann R, et al. Amelioration of severe migraine with omega-3 fatty acids: A double-blind placebo controlled clinical trial. Am J Clin Nutr1986;43(4):710 [abstr]
3. Thys-Jacobs S. Vitamin D and calcium in menstrual migraine. Headache1994;34:544-46.
4. Thys-Jacobs S. Alleviation of migraines with therapeutic vitamin D and calcium. Headache1994;34:590-92.
5. Gallai V, Sarchielli P, Coata G, et al. Serum and salivary magnesium levels in migraine. Results in a group of juvenile patients. Headache1992;32:132-35.
6. Weaver K. Magnesium and migraine. Headache1990;30:168 [letter].
7. Mauskop A, Altura BT, Cracco RQ, Altura BM. Intravenous magnesium sulphate relieves migraine attacks in patients with low serum ionized magnesium levels: a pilot study. Clin Sci1995;89:633-36.
8. Facchinetti F, Sances G, Borella P, et al. Magnesium prophylaxis of menstrual migraine: Effects on intracellular magnesium. Headache1991;31:298-301.
9. Hepinstall S, White A, et al. Extracts of feverfew inhibit granule secretion in blood platelets and polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Lancet 1985; I:1071-74.
10. Murphy JJ, Hepinstall S, Mitchell JRA. Randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial of feverfew in migraine prevention. Lancet 1988;ii:189-92.
11. Johnson ES, Kadam NP, et al. Efficacy of feverfew as prophylactic treatment of migraine. BMJ1985;291:569-73.
12. Palevitch D, Earon G, Carasso R. Feverfew(Tanacetum parthenium) as a prophylactic treatment for migraine: A double-blind placebo-controlled study.Phytother Res 1997;11:508-11.
13. Srivasta KC, Mustafa T. ginger (Zingiber officinale)in migraine headache. J Ethnopharmacol 1992;39:267-73.
14. Levy RL. Intranasal capsaicin for acute abortive treatment of migraine without aura.Headache1995;35(5):277 [letter].
15. Lamant V, Mauco G, et al. Inhibition of the metabolism of platelet activating factor (PAF-acether) by three specific antagonist from Ginkgo biloba. Biochem Pharmacol 1987;36:2749-52.
Grant EC. Food allergies and migraine. Lancet 1979;i:966-69.
Monro J, Brostoff J, Carini C, Zilkha K. Food allergy in migraine. Lancet 1980;ii:1-4.
Egger J, Carter CM, Wilson J, et al. Is migraine food allergy? A double-blind controlled trial of oligoantigenic diet treatment. Lancet1983;ii:865-69.
Hughes EC, Gott PS, Weinstein RC, Binggeli R. Migraine: A diagnostic test for etiology of food sensitivity by a nutritionally supported fast and confirmed by long-term report. Ann Allergy 1985;55:28-32.