A migraine is a disabling disease. It’s powerful and painful. World
Health organisation places a migraine in the top 10 most disabling
disease. A researcher has
dolled out the remedies as well as the factors that cause a migraine.
What Is A Migraine?
A migraine is not just a
headache. It’s a complex event that causes a variety of disabling
symptoms. At the beginning of a migraine attack, specific regions of the
brain begin to switch on and people may experience neck pain, nausea,
light sensitivity, mood changes, difficulty concentrating and fatigue.
The Hangover
As
the attack proceeds, waves of abnormal activity travel across the
surface of the brain and may cause Numbness or difficulty in speaking or
seeing. When a headache begins pain centres deep in the brain are
switched on, causing severe headache and even vomiting. As it resolves,
regions of the brain remain abnormally activated and may cause hangover
of severe fatigue and mood changes
What Are The Trigger Factors?
Triggers
are specific factors that increase the risk of having a migraine
attack. Triggers do not cause a migraine as such but are known to
activate the processes in the brain that lead to the disabling symptoms.
- Diet: Skipping meals, alcohol and caffeine.
- Sleep: Napping in the middle of the day, oversleeping or too little sleep.
- Weather Changes: Extreme weather, too hot or too cold.
- Environmental Changes:
Bright or flashy lights, strong odours, perfumes, pollution, sitting in
front of computer or laptop for long hours without break.
- Hormonal Factors:
In women, use of birth control pills without break, before the monthly
menstrual cycle, menopause or hormone replacement therapy.
- Stress: Any big change in personal or professional life, Job changes, relocating, death or marriage.
- Physical:
Head injuries, overexertion, overdoing the exercise. It is very
important to establish a daily routine and avoid the triggers to prevent
a migraine from progressing into a severe more disabling attack and it
helps in the long-term migraine prevention.
Managing Migraine Without Medication
When
long hours of work, project deadlines, late night shifts, traffic jams,
unhealthy easily available junk food becomes a daily routine, splitting
headaches have become even more common. Popping a painkiller seems easy
and convenient, But it is not really problem-solving. Our lifestyle and
avoiding the trigger points can help tremendously.
- Do not skip meals, eat regular balanced meals. A slight drop in blood sugar can precipitate a debilitating headache.
- Maintain a regular sleep pattern – At least 8 hours of sleep.
- Be
active. exercise regularly at least 30 mins three times a week. Being
active helps relieve stress, improves sleep & even reduces the
headache attacks.
- Try to reduce stress by avoiding conflicts & resolving disputes.
- Completely avoid MSG (monosodium glutamate) in any food item. Avoid chocolates, cheese, excess caffeine or alcohol.
- Always drink enough water throughout the day. Keep yourself well-hydrated.
Few Natural Ingredients That Actually Work
Ginger
Ginger
reduces inflammation and gives relief from pain instantly. It even cures
nausea, which is a common ailment in migraines. Use it in tea or with
lemon juice. A ginger paste can be applied on the forehead for fast
relief.
Menthol
Menthol
present in peppermint helps to regulate blood flow and gives relief.
Gentle massage with peppermint oil soothes the pain.
Lavender Oil
Though
it has a beautiful fragrance, it is also a very good remedy for chronic
headaches. Steam inhalation with equal parts of lavender oil and water
is an effective way of curing migraine the natural way. You can also
massage with lavender oil to sooth the pain. It should be noted that
lavender oil should never be consumed orally.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon
opens up the sinuses, & works magically with headaches. It can be
taken as a tea or it could be made into a thick paste and applied on the
forehead to relax.
Apple Cider Vinegar
All
you have to do is take 2 teaspoons of it along with honey and lemon
juice first thing in the morning. It can be taken twice or thrice in a
day. Apple cider vinegar can be inhaled when mixed with equal amount of
water and boiled in a covered pan. It soothes the nerves and eases the
pain.
Stretches
Neck
exercises, basic stretching exercises, moving the neck up and down, left
and right, towards the shoulder. This releases the tension in and
around the neck and shoulders as well as improves the blood flow.
Yoga
Yoga
or meditation relaxes you, keeps you focused, and makes you feel good
by releasing the feel-good hormones. Keeps the stress level down. Take
deep breaths, go on for walks, exhale and inhale with full energy so
that oxygen reaches the brain well.
A Healthy Meal
Include
colours on your plate, rich in vitamins and minerals like green veggies
like broccoli, spinach. Orange Veggies like the carrots. Cooked yellow
veggies like squash, corn, Non-citrus fruits like cherries, cranberries,
pears, prunes. And drink lots of plain water. A well-hydrated body
washes away the toxins from our body. Keeps us active and healthy.
THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE
HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.
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Labels: apple cider vinegar, avoid MSG, Cinnamon, difficulty speaking/seeing, extreme weather, Ginger, home remedies, hormonal changes, lavender oil, less sleep, menthol, migraine, numbness, skipping meals, stress, vomiting