Migraine is the relentless attack of severe headache, which results in sensory warnings, like nausea, flashes of light, blind spots, unsettled stomach, increased sensitivity to sound and light, prickling in the arms and legs. The pulsating and throbbing migraine headache transpires at only one side of the head and is caused due to the coiling around of chemicals that are released from nerve fibres around the blood vessels.
Causes of Migraine
There are a number of causes, which results in the occurrence of migraine headaches. These causes are:
- Stress, anxiety or shock
- Change in weather conditions
- Over-consumption of alcohol
- Over sleeping
- Over intake of caffeinated beverages
- Deficiency of magnesium in the body
- Sensitivity to gluten
- Reactive Hypoglycemia
- Intense physical exertions
- Skipping meals or fasting
- Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) or hormonal medications, like oral contraceptives
- Pregnancy or menopause
- Smoking or exposure to smoke
- Allergies and allergic reactions
- Foods containing Tyramine, nitrates and monosodium glutamate, like smoked fish, aged cheeses, salty foods, chicken livers, beans, figs, bacon, salami, red wine, etc.
- Fluctuating levels of hormones
- Depression or over-excitement
- Neck or shoulder pain
- Poor posture
- Low blood sugar
- Dehydration
- Strong fragrances
- Suffocation
Signs and Symptoms of Migraine
Migraine pain progresses through three stages, however, it is not necessary that the patient will go through every stage.
1. Prodrome
The prodrome stage is the initial phase when minor and subtle changes start to take place in the body, such as:
- Food cravings
- Hyperactivity
- Constipation
- Depression
- Bad temper
- Neck inflexibility
- Irrepressible yawning
2. Aura
Auras are caused by disturbances in the nervous system due to bright lights and high sounds. Most people do not pass through this stage, but people, who go through the aura, experience the following symptoms:
- Vision loss
- Bright spots
- Flashes of light
- Needle-like sensations in arm or leg
- Problems while communication and speech
3. Attack
The most critical stage where if migraine is not treated, it will last for at least 72 hours. During this stage, a person may feel the following symptoms:
- Ache on one side or either sides of your head
- Constantly pulsating and thumping pain
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light, sound and smell
- Nausea and vomiting
- Light-headedness
- Blackouts
- Anxiety
Home Remedies for Migraine
1. Tea Tree Oil
Massaging the affected area gently with tea tree oil provides immense relief in migraine pain. It is one of the best home remedies to get rid of the migraine pain.
2. Vinegar
Vinegar is especially effective to help migraine pain in pregnant women. Soak a washrag in vinegar and put it on the area that is hurting the most. Let the vinegar properly absorb into the skin for at least thirty minutes to get relief in the migraine.
3. Chamomile or Mint Tea
These are superb herbal remedies for migraine. Chamomile and mint teas can do wonders for the person suffering from migraine. If not possible to have mint or chamomile tea, dig yourself into a hot cup of any other tea.
4. Cabbage
Use the leaves of cabbage as a compress. It relieves the pressure that is created by the migraine.
5. Ice-Pack
Take some ice-cubes in a cloth and use it as a compress on the paining area of the head. Ice will calm down the pain and thumping inside the head resulted due to migraine.
6. Hot Compress
Hot compress made with the help of a cloth soaked in hot water is good for helping the migraine ache. It will relieve pain and also help the patient to sleep well for at least some time.
7. Ginger
Ginger cures the nausea that occurs due to constant pain in the head.
8. Peppermint Oil
Rubbing peppermint oil on the aching part of the head cures the migraine pain naturally. The camphoraceous odour of peppermint oil calms down the chronic migraine pain.
9. Henna
The flowers of henna are very effective in treating headaches and migraine pains. Dip henna flowers in vinegar and apply it on the forehead to get instant respite from the migraine pain.
10. Niacin
It is a kind of vitamin, which should be one of the important parts of your diet. Sunflower seeds, yeast, whole wheat, tomatoes, liver, green leafy vegetables, nuts, and fish are rich sources of niacin. It helps in relieving the migraine ache.
11. Magnesium
Magnesium is considered to be an essential supplement for alleviating the pain. Therefore, fresh fruits and vegetable juices are the good options for consuming magnesium. Carrot juice, combined with the juice of beetroot, spinach and cucumber, is an effective remedy to help migraine. Juice of fresh grapes without adding any water is also a good source of magnesium and curing migraine.
12. Cinnamon Powder
Application of a mixture of two tablespoons of cinnamon powder with water on the temple of the forehead offers relief from the migraine pain.
13. Lemon Rind
Separate the rind or outer covering of lemon and crush it. Apply the crushed rind paste on the temple for curing the migraine.
Homeopathic Remedies for Migraine
There are certain homeopathic remedies for curing migraine, such as:
1. Natrum muriaticum
Migraines, which occur due to menstrual pain, sunburn, or emotional grief, tend to respond to this medicine well.
2. Sanguinaria
Migraines happening on the right side of the head along with irritation in the shoulder or neck and bursting feeling in the eyes are cured from this medicine.
3. Sepia
The migraine pain on the left side of the head with nausea and dizziness, which gets worse from skipping meals, menopause, or menstrual period, is cured from this medicine.
4. Silicea
Migraine pain, arising as a result of mental exertion, indicates a need for this remedy.
5. Spigelia
An unbearable headache on the left side of the head with fierce pounding and thumping is cured with Spigelia.
6. Belladonna
Migraine pain, which starts from the upper neck and extend to the forehead, where pain is constant, is treated with this homeopathic remedy.
Preventive Measures for Migraine
- Avoid triggers, which induce the migraine pain, like eatables and specific fragrances.
- Try to avoid mental stress and anxiety.
- Avoid over consumption of caffeine beverages.
- Avoid alcohol and tobacco.
- Do not skip regular and routine meals.
- Exercise regularly.
- Drink plenty of water to hydrate your body.