WHAT IS MIGRAINE?
Migraine is severe pulsating pain in head usually one sided preceded by an aura of sensory disturbance and can be triggered by various things.
Migraineis a primary headache disorder characterized by recurrent headaches that are moderate to severe. Typically, the headaches affect one half of the head, are pulsating in nature, and last from two to 72 hours.
Associated symptoms may include nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light, sound, or smell. The pain is generally made worse by physical activity. Up to one-third of people have an aura: typically a short period of visual disturbance which signals that the headache will soon occur. Occasionally, an aura can occur with little or no headache following it.
Triggers for migraine are:
- Lack of food or sleep
- Exposure to sun
- Hormonal changes (in women)
- Family history: migraine runs in families.
- Age: peak in 30’s
- Sex: women > men
- Hormonal changes: around menstrual cycles in women; migraine is triggered or aggravated.
Four phases of migraine are:
- Prodrome phase- occurs hours or days before the onset of headache and is characterized by altered mood, depression, fatigue, craving for certain food items, neck stiffness, constipation or diarrhea, sensitivity to light, noise, odor.
- Aura phase- precedes headache and aura may visual (Blind spots or blank patches in the vision, zig zag lines in vision, flashes of light, blurred vision), sensory (Pricking sensation on skin) or motor. Other symptoms of aura phase include speech disturbance, dizziness, auditory hallucinations, delusions.
- Pain phase- usually headache is one sided, throbbing/ pulsating pain which is moderate to severe in intensity and pain lasts for 2 to 72 hours. Pain is frequently associated with nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, sound, smells and fatigue with irritability, light headedness, confusion.
- Post-drome phase- once the pain phase is over there is tired feeling in the sufferer along with mood changes and weakness.
SYMPTOMS & CAUSES
Common symptoms of migraine include:
- Moderate to severe pain, usually one sided but can involve whole head and either side.
- Severe throbbing, pulsating pain.
- Pain is severe enough to effect daily chores.
- Nausea, vomiting as associated symptoms.
- Increased sensitivity to stress, light, noise, smell, physical activity.
- Pain relieved by lying in a quiet dark room.
- Few people also have aura (short period of visual disturbance that signals that the headache will occur soon).
- Headache lasts for 2 to 72 hours.
Migraine with aura
Aura is meant by warning signs in the sufferers which are preceded by onset of headache however auras are rare.
Common symptoms is aura are:
- Confusing thoughts or experiences
- Perception of strange, sparkling, flashing lights.
- Blind spots or blank patches in the vision.
- Pricking sensation on skin.
- Stiffness in shoulders, neck, limbs.
- Unpleasant smells.
The exact cause of migraine is unknown but there is abnormal activity of brain temporarily affecting the nerve signals, chemicals and blood vessels of the brain.
However triggers of migraine are known-
- Hormonal changes- women experience migraine usually 2 days before menses due to hormonal changes (oestrogen) and there is improvement usually after menopause.
- Emotional triggers- include stress, anxiety, tension, shock, anxiety, depression, excitement.
- Physical triggers- include tiredness, lack of sleep, jet lag, low blood sugar etc.
- Dietary triggers- include skipping meals, long working hours in front of screen, smoking, strong smells etc.
- Medicines- like combined contraceptive pills, hormone replacement therapy etc.
DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT
Migraine can only be diagnosed depending on the presenting symptoms, medical history, family history, physical and neurological examination. Tests are usually performed to rule out other causes of headache.
- Relieve the pain.
- Manage the triggers.
- Prepare a headache diary.
- If possible, avoid exposure to triggers of migraine.
- Do regular exercises.
- Prepare and follow consistent daily schedule with regular sleep pattern and meals.
- Have plenty of water.
- Homeopathic treatment.
Homeopathic medicines for migraine are:
- Natrum mur
- Hepar sulph
- Rhus tox
There are many wonderful medicines in homoeopathy that can be thought of in migraine. After thorough evaluation of the case the medicine is selected and prescribed depending on the totality of symptoms of the patient.
DO’s And DON’Ts
- Do regular exercise
- Take regular scheduled meals, don't skip meals
- Take adequate sleep
- Do meditation
- Prepare a headache diary.
- Avoid triggers
- Take plenty of water
- Don’t do things which trigger migraine
- Don't stress your body much