Natural Help for Migraine Headaches

by Luella May

A migraine is a neurological syndrome characterized by a severe headache on one side of the head which can be accompanied by nausea and altered bodily perceptions. Eleven out of one hundred people suffer from migraines and the condition is more common in women than in men. Migraine sufferers will do almost anything to obtain relief. However, before reaching for that over-the-counter remedy or worse yet, before seeking a strong prescription drug for that much needed relief, one should be aware that there are numerous natural remedies that can help with migraines.

A migraine can be a debilitating condition lasting anywhere from 4 to 72 hours. Sufferers can experience nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound, making it necessary for many to seek relief in the confines of a dark quiet room. Approximately one-third of those who suffer migraines experience a vision disturbance before the onset of a migraine, signaling them to get ready or take appropriate action before the onset of pain. This vision disturbance consists of an aura which can include a temporary blind spot, blurred vision, eye pain, tunnel vision, and seeing stars and/or zigzag lines.

The migraine condition can sometimes be resolved with simple lifestyle changes. For example, cigarette smoke and birth control pills are known triggers. Another simple alternative is to look at one’s diet. Caffeine, foods containing refined sugars, excess salt, and dairy products are known to cause migraines. A huge dietary offender is a popular substance that is ingested daily: aspartame. Migraines can also be the result of food allergies. Frequent sufferers may want to investigate this possibility and work towards isolating the offending foods, possibly with the help of a healthcare practitioner.
Avoiding foods which may trigger migraines and switching to a healthy diet can be a big step toward achieving migraine relief.

Migraine attacks can also be triggered by alcohol, bright lights, loud noises, certain perfumes, changes in hormone levels, changes in sleep patterns, missed meals, and emotional stress.

Nutrition and proper supplementation is a key factor in relieving migraines. Studies have concluded that migraine sufferers are usually magnesium deficient, having lower levels in the blood and brain. Studies have also shown that magnesium supplementation can reduce the frequency of these headaches. The dosage used in the studies was between 360 mg and 600 mg daily.

Other supplements that have been found to reduce the frequency of migraines are vitamin B2 and 5-HTP, the dosage being 400 mg of B2 and 200 to 600 mg of 5-HTP daily.

The best herb that is useful in dealing with migraines is feverfew. It lowers the frequency, duration, and intensity of migraine episodes. Other herbs effective in dealing with migraines include cayenne, ginger, ginkgo biloba, and butterbur.

Acupuncture has also been shown to be effective when addressing migraine headaches.

Chiropractic manipulation may be effective in those cases where the headaches are a result of neck and spinal chord issues.

Additional ways to relieve migraines are:

• Place an ice pack on the painful area, on the forehead, temples, and back of the neck.
• Ask someone to massage the temples and neck.
• Implement meditation or visualization techniques by sitting or lying down in a dimly lit room.

Sources:

http://www.all4naturalhealth.com/remedies-for-migraines.html
http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/headachemigraine/a/Migraine.htm
http://www.newhope.com/nutritionsciencenews/NSN_backs/Jun_99/migraines.cfm