Migraine Headaches: Migraine refers to headaches that share characteristic symptoms.

Prodromal Symptoms

Symptoms that precede a migraine are known prodromal. Pain may be preceded or accompanied by visual changes and other symptoms:

• sensitivity to light/sound
• heart palpitations
• faintness
• nausea
• vomiting

Headache pain usually occurs in the forehead or temples, usually one side, accompanied by nausea and a desire to be in a dark room. Migraines can last for hours, to a day or more, often with pain-free intervals. These headaches are sometimes accompanied with visual and non-visual affliction known as an aura. Migraine’s are therefore classified as migraine with an aura and migraine without an aura.

Causes & Triggers

Migraines can be triggered by:

• fatigue
• stress
• hormonal changes
• alcoholic beverages
• caffeine
• legumes, pea pods, lentils, beans, nuts, and peanut butter
• pickled and fermented foods such as pickles, soy sauce, sauerkraut, and olives
• bologna, ham, herring, hot dogs, pepperoni, sausage, and aged or cured meat
• meat tenderizer, seasoned salt, bouillon cubes, and monosodium glutamate (MSG)
• buttermilk, sour cream, and other cultured dairy
• aged cheese
• the artificial sweetener aspartame
• avocados
• onions
• passion fruit and papaya
• coffee cake, donuts, sourdough bread, and other items containing brewer’s yeast or fresh
• chocolate, cocoa, and carob
• figs, plumbs that are red, and raisins
• Other common migraine triggers include:
• fumes and strong odors
• stress
• bright lights
• loud noises
• fatigue
• depression
• weather changes
• poor sleep
• interruptions for example missing a meal, in your diet
• certain medications
• hormonal changes
• smoking
• exercise, sex, and other activities that are intense

However, migraines can occur with no trigger.

Migraine Headache Prevention

Over the past 2 decades, health practitioners have realized effective treatments for decreasing the frequency of migraines. Avoid migraine triggers, take preventive medicine, alter your nourishment, and improve your rest.

One of numerous migraine triggers, several are foods, by avoiding so you can reduce your migraine risk:

• Beans, legumes, and nuts
• Fermented and pickled foods like pickles and olives
• Dairy and cheese that is aged
• Avocados
• Onions
• Cured or ag ed meats
• Items containing brewer’s yeast
• Chocolate, cocoa, and carob
• Aspartame
• Beverages
• Caffeine

Other frequent migraine triggers include:

• Stress
• Weather changes
• Poor diet
• Hormonal changes
• Nicotine
• Physical activities that are intense

As you pay focus on what triggers your migraines, you are able to learn better what to avoid—this is just a starting listing.

Your doctor will consider other medicines that prevent migraines. He/she might prescribe:

• The blood-pressure drugs propranolol or timolol
• Anti-depressants such as amitriptyline or fluoxetine
• The seizure medication valproate

While these drugs came to market to handle other conditions, they are also efficient for migraine prevention.

Migraine Treatments

Migraine remedy is a race from the clock. You can take steps to reduce the intensity of the assault when you sense the warning signs of a migraine. That is the time to lie down, relax, and simply take your drugs.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), aspirin, and acetaminophen relieve some migraines. However, many migraine sufferers need stronger medicines for example sumatriptan or a different medication from your triptan family. In a few extreme circumstances, you may be treated by your physician with an opioid.

Treatments such as ice packs or cold compresses on your forehead rush instant reduction. Massaging your scalp and rubbing your temples may also help reduce the intensity of the migraine.

Chiropractic Treatment

DC’s help many reduce the symptoms of headaches. A spinal adjustment can certainly help lessen the strain being placed on the spine and its surrounding structures, such as muscles, tendons, ligaments and blood vessels, diminishing the signs of a headache and allowing for better function.

Chiropractors are taught to use speed and finesse as an alternative to pressure. Chiropractors provide by far the greatest number of manipulations to the spine than any other profession.

Chiropractic health practitioners have had the same basic training as any other primary care physician. The variation between DC’s and MD’s lies in their treatment protocols for certain types of injuries and/or conditions.

Homeopathic Traditional Treatments

Classical homeopathy entails a variety of possible treatments for migraine pain. These should be chosen based on the individual and what works best for them.

For a throbbing headache where the pain grows from the slightest of light, movement, or noise with your condition worsening later in the day, the Belladonna treatment is the best option. Other symptoms for this treatment are a flushed face and cold hands and feet.

For a headache on the left side of your head with congested and pulsing pain, the Lachesis treatment may be the option to go with. Other symptoms for this treatment are:

• Blotchy and/or flushed face
• Sleeping makes the pain worse (during the day or night)
• Heat makes the pain worse
• For women pain is worse before menstruation and better once it begins

Migraines that occur on the right side usually start at the back of the skull and extend to the forehead. These happen after mental stress or near menstruation and have nervousness and a chill, then Silicea may be the best treatment option.

Homeopathic Remedies

Here are a few examples:

Belladonna – This relieves headaches that feel like the head is full, along with sensitivity to noise and light.

Ignatia – This is for sensitive people, especially headaches after emotional grief. Usually focused on one side of the head and feels like nails being hammered in. Face twitching, and muscle spasms in the neck and back are frequent.

Lycopodium – relieves the headaches caused by skipping or delaying meals, with appetite for hot food and candy.

Silicea – feel better from lying in a dark, warm room with head covered.

Gelsemium – relieves congestive headaches, headaches around the eyes which are caused by stress.

Cyclamen – Flickering in the eyes, dim vision, dizziness with pain on the right side may involve the ear and can also ache or itch. Nausea, thirst, sensitivity to cold, and worse in open air.

Natrum muriaticum – numb or tingling lips or face before the headache begins, and sensitivity to light.  Often feels better in the dark and after sleeping.

Sulphur – Increased circulation in the brain cells promotes proper blood circulation. Less pressure and pain result which reduces headaches.

Chiropractic Clinic Extra: Stress Management Treatment