DR. WALKER

Home Remedies for Managing Migraines

What are migraines?

A migraine is a common neurological disease that causes a variety of symptoms, most notably a throbbing, pulsing headache on one side of your head. A migraine will likely get worse with physical activity, lights, sounds, or smells. It may last at least four hours or even days. For some people, a warning symptom known as an aura occurs before or with the headache.

What are some common symptoms of migraines?

Migraines, which affect children and teenagers as well as adults, can progress through these stages:

i. Prodrome: One or two days before a migraine, you might notice subtle changes that warn of an upcoming migraine, including constipation, mood changes, from depression to euphoria, food cravings, neck stiffness, increased urination, and frequent yawning.
ii. Auras: Auras are reversible symptoms of the nervous system. They’re usually visual but can also include other disturbances such as visual phenomena, such as seeing various shapes, bright spots or flashes of light vision, pins or needles sensations, weakness in the face, and difficulty speaking.
iii. Attacks: A migraine usually lasts from 4 to 72 hours if untreated. Migraines might occur rarely or strike several times a month. During a migraine, you might have: pain on one side of the head, throbbing pain, sensitivity to light, sound, and sometimes smell and touch, nausea, and vomiting.

What are the risk factors for migraines?

 Family history. If you have a family member with migraines, then you have an increased risk of developing migraines.
 Age. Migraines can begin at any age, though it tends to peak during your 30s, and gradually becomes less severe and less frequent in the following decades.
 Sex. Women are three times more likely than men to have migraines.
 Hormonal changes. For women who have migraines, headaches might begin just before or shortly after the onset of menstruation.

Are there common triggers for migraines?

Hormonal changes in women. Hormonal medications, such as oral contraceptives, can worsen migraines. Alcohol. Drinks that contain alcohol, especially wine, and too much caffeine. Stress. This is a common trigger and known cause of migraines. Sensitivity. Bright or flashing lights can induce migraines, as can loud sounds. Odors/Smells. Strong odors such as perfume, paint thinner, and second-hand smoke. Medications. Oral contraceptives and vasodilators, such as nitroglycerin.

What are some common supplements to prevent migraines?

Magnesium. Magnesium oxide is often used to treat and prevent migraines. Typically, a dose of 400 mg per day might be helpful. Magnesium oxide, however, is not well absorbed by the body. Magnesium is known to prevent visual and sensory changes that may be associated with auras. Additionally, magnesium is thought to prevent narrowing of blood vessels in the brain which may be triggered by serotonin.
Peppermint oil. Peppermint oil has been used as a natural remedy for treatments of headaches/migraines for decades. Peppermint oil specifically may be applied to the forehead or temple for some relief of migraine pain. Peppermint oil causes a tingling and cooling sensation on the skin that is believed to be the property that reduces the symptoms in migraine sufferers.
Lavender. For centuries, lavender has been used for its medicinal properties specifically as regards treating migraines and epilepsy. migraine sufferers who inhaled lavender essential oil showed significant reduction in migraine severity when compared to the control group. The other thought is that lavender may reduce symptoms of migraine, as it is associated with many calming and relaxing properties.
Feverfew. This is a flowering plant used traditionally for treating fevers, rheumatoid arthritis, toothache, and now migraines. The leaves of feverfew contain an anti-inflammatory compound, known to reduce migraines in clinical trials. There is a specific chemical known as parthenolide, that is thought to block serotonin receptors. The thought is that this function prevents platelets from releasing inflammatory markers, thereby preventing the dilation of blood vessels and decreasing the risk of spasms. Feverfew may be taken in liquid or tablet form.
Butterbur. This is a plant that grows in the northern parts of Europe and is known to treat migraines and hay fever. The exact mechanism of how butterbur work is still unknown, however, it has been endorsed by many health professionals for its ability to reduce the frequency of migraines.
Vitamin B2. This is also known as riboflavin. It shows beneficial effects of reducing migraine frequency with doses of 400 mg daily for three months and has been shown to decrease pain associated with migraine attacks. Vitamin B2 appears to lessen oxidative stress and inflammation in migraine sufferers. Excess riboflavin is not stored in the body and is excreted in urine.

What are additional considerations for reducing the frequency of migraines?

 Try relaxation techniques. Biofeedback and other forms of relaxation training teach you ways to deal with stressful situations, which might help reduce the number of migraines you have.
 Develop a sleeping and eating routine.
 Drink plenty of fluids. Staying hydrated, particularly with water, might help.  Exercise regularly. Re
gular aerobic exercise reduces tension and can help prevent a migraine. Warm up slowly, however, because sudden, intense exercise can cause headaches.
 Regular exercise can also help you lose weight or maintain a healthy body weight since obesity is thought to be a factor in migraines.

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