Migraine and headaches
A headache is a general name for pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck. The most common type of headaches are likely to be caused by tight muscles in the shoulders, neck, scalp, and jaw and are called tension headaches.Factors which might contribute to tension headaches are stress, depression, anxiety, bad posture, staying in one position for a long time, clenching one’s jaw etc.
A migraine, on the other hand, is a common type of headache that may occur with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light. In many people, a throbbing pain is felt only on one side of the head.
It is believed that a migraine attack begins in the brain, and involves nerve pathways and neurotransmitters like serotonin, and endorphins. The changes affect blood flow in the brain and surrounding tissues.
Migraine attacks may be triggered by alcohol, stress and anxiety, certain odors or perfumes, loud noises or bright lights, caffeine withdrawal, changes in hormone levels during a woman’s menstrual cycle or with the use of birth control pills, changes in sleep patterns, exercise or other physical stress, missed meals, smoking or exposure to smoke, and also by certain foods like meats containing nitrates such as bacon, hot dogs, salami and cured meats; processed, baked or marinated foods, as well as foods that contain monosodium glutamate (MSG), chocolate, nuts, peanut butter, and dairy products, foods containing tyramine, including red wine, aged cheese, smoked fish, chicken livers, figs, and certain beans, and fruits like avocado, banana, or citrus fruit,.
Typical migraine symptoms include moderate to severe pain, usually confined to one side of the head, but switching in successive migraines, pulsing and throbbing head pain, increasing pain during physical activity, inability to perform regular activities due to pain, nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity to light and sound.
In some cases there may be a warning symptom called an ‘aura’, a common term for a group of symptoms which may involve a temporary blind spot, blurred vision, eye pain, seeing stars or zigzag lines, and tunnel vision before the actual migraine begins.
You can reduce the severity and the frequency of the migraine attacks by using some complementary medicine remedies according to your doctor or medical practitioner advice. Here is a general list:
Nutraceutical
Tanacetum partenium 150 mg
Hypericum perforatum – St John wort (150 mg)
Harpagophytum procumbens –Devil’s claw (150 mg)
Salix alba (100 mg)
Crataegus (75 mg)
Chamomilla recutita 50 mg
Melilotus officinalis (50 mg)
Cynara scolymus (100 mg)
Melatonin: 3 to 5 mg in the evevening.
Homeopathy
Ignatia amara 4CH
Gelsenium 4CH
Iris versicolor 4CH
Spigelia anthelmia 3CH
Bryonia alba 3CH
Sepia 5CH
Menyanthes trifoliata 5CH
Ignatia 4X
Gelsenium 12X
Melilotus officinalis 1X
Tabacum 9X
Sepia 9X
Tanacetum partenium 3X
Beta endorphin 6X
Melatonin 4C
Serotonin 6X
Bach flowers: Impatiens, Beech, Olive, Rock Water.
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