Dr. Kopila Adhikari,
Ayurveda Medical Officer, DAHC, Kaski
To spend two days or more in darkened room shut away from outside world with an ice bag as your only companion is your only option since long in weekend instead of enjoying with friend, if you are suffering from migraine headache. MIGRAINE, the term itself is a headache not only for those who are suffering since long with it but also for medical doctors and others who are associated as family members or friends with migraine carrier. Lots of money for medication, long time for counselling, many tips for prevention and cure from different peoples these are almost frustrating for you since long. It is very important to know the possible causative and aggravating factors and the wisdom of living for prevention of migraine.
Migraine affects about 15 percentage of population. Women are three times more casualty than men. More than 80 percentages of people with migraines have family history of migraine. Only 20 percentages of people suffering from migraine have classical migraine and rest of them 80 percentages are suffering from common migraine.
A classical migraine attack starts with a non specific prodrome of malaise and irritability followed by the ‘aura’ of a focal neurological event, a severe throbbing headache either one side or both sides, nausea in almost 80 percentage of case and vomiting in some cases, about 70 percentages of them are sensitive to light and sound. This phase may last for 4-72 hours.
Symptoms of common migraine are almost similar with classical migraine with less severity and there is no ‘aura’ before attack. Peoples suffering from migraine experiences inability to eat, problems with concentration, or fatigue even after attack has disappeared.
The exact cause of migraine headaches is still unknown, but it is believed that they are due to a combination of the expansion of blood vessels and the release of certain chemicals, which causes inflammation and pain. The chemical dopamine and serotonin are among those involved in migraine. These elements are found normally in the brain and can cause blood vessels to act abnormally if they are present in abnormal amounts or if the blood vessels are unusually sensitive to them. Mostly we could find family history of migraines suggesting genetic predisposition. Also, higher percentages of women suffering from migraine attacks during their menstrual period suggest hormonal influence.
Different peoples have different triggering factors. Certain foods, especially chocolate, cheese, nuts, alcohol, and MSG (a food enhancer used in many foods), skipping meals, stress and tensions, birth control pills, smoking are the most common triggering factors.
According to Ayurveda ‘the holistic wisdom of health science’, migraine can result from vata, pitta or kapha (fundamental biological operating humors of body) imbalance. They most frequently occur when systemic pitta moves into the cardiovascular system, circulates and affects the blood vessels around the brain. The hot, sharp quality of pitta dilates the blood vessels and creates pressure on the nerves, causing this painful condition.
Management of migraine headache
in a holistic view:-
Self care at home during attack:
-Use a cold compress to the area of pain.
-Resting with pillows comfortably supporting the head or neck.
-Resting in a room with little or no sensory stimulation (sound, light, odors)
-Try to avoid stressful surrounding
-Take light vegetable soup (preferably asparagus soup)
-Go for sleep
Remedies for Migraine according to Ayurveda:
Herbs and medicines:-
Aloe Vera: take 2 tablespoon of Aloe Vera two times a day.
Cumin- coriander tea: take 1\2 teaspoon on cumin and 1\2 teaspoon of coriander; boil it in one cup of water. Let it cool up to room temperature. Drink it. Two times a day.
Sandalwood paste: mix one teaspoon of sandalwood powder with sufficient amount of water to make paste and apply it to your fore head, leave it for half an hour and wash it.
Put 4-5drops of cow ghee or brahmi ghee in each nostril two times a day.
Drink one glass of warm milk every day with half teaspoon of cardamom and half teaspoon of cinnamon powder.
Chew cardamom or cloves if you have nausea and vomiting.
Therapies:
Sirodhara: Continuous flow of medicated oil to the forehead, is one of the best remedy to reduce and prevent the attack of migraine headache approved by the recent research activities.
Therapeutic head massage or self gentle massage with Bhringaraj or Bhrami oil in the scalp.
Application of cooling oil in feet before sleep.
Regular practice of yoga postures like palm tree pose, Pranayam like bhramari, cooling breathing, and meditation helps you to delayed attacks of migraine headaches.
Maintain your daily routine
Suggestion for breakfast: take one ripe banana make paste and add one teaspoon of warm ghee, one teaspoon date sugar, a pinch of cardamom; mix it and take it. Starting your day with this delicious preparation will help you to prevent attacks of migraine headaches.
Keep your bowel regular.
Assure enough sound sleep.
Keep your surrounding peaceful and well manage.
Avoid:
Find out triggering foods and try to avoid them, especially hot, spicy, fermented food items, cheese, tea, coffee, red wine junk foods and sour and citrus fruits.
Avoid stressful deadlines. Try to manage your monthly routine so that you could get little rest during your menstruation period.
Avoid direct sun light, you may wear hat if it is compulsory to go out in sunny day.
Avoid frequent use of pain killers instead you could apply sandalwood paste, cold sponging and other advices given.
These simple remedies help you to prevent and cure migraine in long term. Apply this wisdom in your daily routine. If these advices are slight helpful but not helping completely then, it will be wonderful if you visit doctor and get specific suggestion in herbs, diet, exercise and daily routine; regarding your body type and underlying cause of migraine. Develop self confidence and gentle self love to create an awareness towards the causative and triggering factors that helps you to live healthy and happy.
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