A migraine is a type of headache that often affects one side of the head and can cause severe throbbing headache or a pulsating sensation. Extreme light and sound sensitivity, nausea, and vomiting are common symptoms. Your everyday activities may be hampered by the excruciating pain of migraine attacks, which can linger for hours to days.
An aura is a warning sign that some people experience either prior to or concurrently with a migraine. Visual alterations like flashing of light or blind spots can be a part of an aura. Speaking difficulties and feeling tingling sensation on a single side of the face, arm, or leg are some symptoms of the aura.
What are the symptoms of Migraine? Children, teens, and adults can all be affected by migraines. Prodrome, aura, attack, and postdrome are the four stages that a migraine might go through, each with its own set of symptoms. Not every migraine sufferer experiences every stage.
Prodrome
You may notice little changes for a few days prior to a migraine, such as:
- Constipation.
- Mood swings from sadness to joy.
- Yearning for food.
- Stiff neck.
- More frequent urination.
- Retention of fluid.
- Yawning a lot.
Aura
Some people may get an aura prior to or during migraines. Reversible nervous system symptoms are known as auras. They can involve other disruptions, although they are typically visual. Typically, each symptom starts off slowly and intensifies over a few minutes to up to sixty minutes.
Auras associated with migraines include:
- Shapes, bright spots, or flashes of light are examples of visual alterations.
- Loss of vision.
- A painful sensation in one’s arm or leg.
- Numbness or weakness on a certain side of one’s body or in the face.
- Having trouble speaking.
Attack
If left untreated, a migraine often lasts four to seventy-two hours. Each person experiences migraines at different frequencies.
When you have a migraine, you may experience:
- Although it can happen on both sides, this type of pain often affects one side of the head.
- Throbbing or pulsating pain.
- Hypersensitivity to touch, smell, light, and sound.
- Vomiting and nausea.
Postdrome
You may experience fatigue, confusion, and exhaustion for up to a day following a migraine attack. Some claim to be ecstatic. A sudden movement of the head could cause the discomfort to flare up again.
What are the causes of Migraine?
The exact causes of migraines are unknown, but genetic tendencies and environmental factors seem to be involved.
There may be changes in the brain and how it interacts via the trigeminal nerve, a main pain channel. Chemical imbalances in the brain, such as those involving serotonin, which controls pain in the neurological system, may potentially be at play. The function of serotonin neurotransmitter in migraine headaches is being investigated by researchers.
Other messenger molecules, such as calcitonin linked to genes, peptide, or CGRP, are involved in migraine pain.
What can be the triggering factors of Migraine?
A migraine can be triggered by a variety of factors, such as:
Hormonal shifts.
Many people seem to have headaches when their oestrogen levels fluctuate. This may occur prior to or during menstruation, as well as when pregnant and menopause. Oral contraceptives and other hormonal medications can exacerbate migraines. On the other hand, some persons who use hormonal contraceptives report less migraines.
Caffeine and alcohol.
A migraine can be brought on by alcohol, particularly wine, and excessive caffeine, like that found in coffee.
Tension.
Migraines can be brought on by stress at home or at work.
Sensory inputs.
Both loud noises and beaming or flickering lights can cause migraines. For some people, strong odours might cause migraines. Fragrance, paint solvents, second-hand smoke, and other triggers are examples of these odours.
Sleep shifts.
For some people, migraines can be brought on by sleep deprivation or excessive sleep.
Physical stress.
Sexual activity and other strenuous physical activity can cause migraines.
The weather shifts.
A migraine may be triggered by a shift in the weather or barometric pressure.
Foods.
Migraines can be triggered by processed meals, salty foods, and aged cheeses. A migraine might also result from skipping meals.
Food additives.
These consist of the additive monosodium glutamate, or MSG, and the sweetener aspartame. Numerous foods contain these ingredients.
How can you manage Migraine with lifestyle change?
Locate a peaceful setting
If at all feasible, stop what you’re doing and take a rest at the first hint of a migraine.
- Switch off the lights.
Sound and light can exacerbate migraine discomfort. Unwind in a quiet, dark room. If you can, go to sleep. - Consider using temperature therapy.
Put either hot or cold wraps on your neck or head. Because cooling packs possess a numbing impact, the discomfort may be lessened. Heating pads and hot packs help ease stiff muscles. Warm baths or showers could work similarly.
- Take a caffeinated beverage.
Early-stage migraine discomfort can be alleviated by coffee alone in small doses. Additionally, caffeine may intensify the analgesic effects of aspirin and acetaminophen (Tylenol, among others).
But exercise caution. Consuming excessive coffee or other caffeinated drinks too often can possibly result in withdrawal symptoms later on. And drinking caffeine later in the day can disrupt with sleep, which might aggravate migraines.
Get enough rest.
At night, migraines can either wake you up or prevent you from settling asleep. Similarly, a bad night’s sleep is frequently the cause of migraines.
Here are some suggestions for promoting restful sleep.
- Set a consistent sleep schedule. Every day, even on the weekends, get up and retire to bed at precisely the same time. If you do take a nap during your day, it should be brief. Sleep at night may be disrupted by naps more than 20 to 30 minutes.
- At the close of the day, relax. Anything that promotes relaxation can help you sleep better: Take a nice bath, read your favourite book, or listen to relaxing music.
But before you go to bed, check the foods you eat and drink. Alcohol, coffee, nicotine, large meals, and strenuous activity can all disrupt sleep.
- Reduce interruptions. Keep your bedroom private for intimate moments and sleep. Avoid bringing work tools or watching television to bed. Shut the door to your bedroom. To block out distracting sounds, use a fan.
- Avoid trying too hard to fall asleep. You’ll feel more alert if you try to fall asleep. Read or engage in another peaceful activity until you feel sleepy if you are having trouble falling asleep.
Engage in regular exercise
Your body releases substances during physical activity that prevent your brain from receiving pain signals. Additionally, these substances assist lessen melancholy and anxiety, two factors that can exacerbate migraines.
Chronic headaches are also more likely to occur in obese people. Sustaining a healthy weight by diet and exercise might also help with migraine management.
How can Homeopathy help manage Migraine?
Belladonna
This reduces sensitivity to light and noise, as well as headaches that cause the head to feel full.
Bryonia
If someone gets a severe or “splitting” headache, which is characterised by constant pain that either covers one eye (often the left) or radiates throughout the head, this treatment may be beneficial. Any movement, even eye movements, exacerbates the pain, and the patient wishes to lie motionless and uninvolved. Vomiting and nausea with feeling of weight in the stomach are possible. The person is typically thirsty and may have an extremely dry mouth.
Gelsemium
This treatment reduces headaches around the eyes that are brought on by or made worse by stress, as well as congestive headaches near the base of the head.
Glonoinum
This treatment cures abrupt headaches that are exacerbated by heat, fullness in the head, and a sensation of heat.
Ignatia
For sensitive people, this treatment works well for migraines, particularly those brought on by grief or emotional distress. The headache may feel like a nail has been driven in and is frequently concentrated on a single side of the head. There is often facial twitching or spasms in the neck and back muscles. The person frequently yawns or sighs, and occasionally they may cry or appear “hysterical.”
Iris versicolor
This medicine frequently relieves severe headaches that cause vomiting, burning in the stomach and throat, blurred vision, and agony that spreads to one’s face and teeth. When they are moving, they feel better than when they are at rest.
Natrum muriaticum
This medicine is likely to help migraines (usually on the right) which are exacerbated by sadness or mental distress, worsened by excessive sun exposure, or those happen before or following the menstrual cycle. The headache is often made worse by eyestrain and feels like “a thousands of tiny hammers pounding on the brain.” The eyes are extremely sensitive to light, and the person may experience tingling or numbness in the lips or face prior to the onset of the headache.
Nux vomica
This treatment reduces nausea and digestive issues brought on by excessive food or alcohol consumption.
Sanguinaria
This treatment frequently relieves right-sided headaches with tightness in the shoulders and neck region that extends to the forehead and causes a bursting sensation in the eye. Noise, light, and jarring exacerbate discomfort. After vomiting, burping, or passing gas, as well as after sleeping, the headaches usually get better. Visit Our Website – Buy Homeopathic medicine online in India
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q.1 What is the main cause of migraines?
Ans – There are no defined causes of migraines but various triggering factors may contribute to it such as lack of sleep, flashing lights, screen usage, loud noises, or being empty stomach.
Q.2 How to help a person with migraine?
Ans – You can always help soothe a person who is known to get the episodes of migraine by avoiding any exposure their known triggers. If they are getting any active episode then providing calm and soothing environment can be helpful. Ask them about their active treatment and give their prescribed medications.
Q.3 What are the 5 C’s of migraines?
Ans – The 5 C’s (cheese, citrus, chocolate, coffee, and cola) are among the foods that have been frequently linked to migraine attacks, referring to the American Migraine Foundation. However, no scientific research has shown that any foods continually raise the likelihood of a migraine attack.
Dr Kiran Swami
Dr. Kiran Swami, BHMS, MD (Hom.), a Research Officer at BJain Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd., holds degrees from Nehru Homeopathic Medical College, Delhi, and Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Rajasthan Ayurved University, Jodhpur. With expertise in homeopathy and a passion for research, she drives innovation in holistic healthcare solutions.
