What Is Migraine Headache?
It is a recurrent throbbing headache that typically affects one side of the head and is often accompanied by nausea and disturbed vision. Migraine is also known as “sick headache” because nausea and vomiting occasionally accompany the excruciating pain which lasts for as long as three days. Migraine headache is also known as sick headache (common English), adhasisi / ardhkapari (Hindi), ardhasisi / ardhshishi (Marathi), orrait talaivali (Tamil), Maigren (Telugu), migraine (Chinese), migrana (Spanish), enxaqueca (Portuguese), maigrena (Bengali), migren (Russian), Migrain (Indonesian). It can be defined as a paroxysmal affection, accompanied by severe headache, generally on one side of the head and associated with disorders of the digestion, the liver and the vision.
What are Common Symptoms of Migraines?
Migraine usually gives warning before it strikes: black spots or a brilliant zig-zag line appears before the eyes or the patient has blurring of vision or has part of his vision blanked out. When the headache occurs, the patient may feel tingling, numbness, or weakness in an arm or leg. It usually occurs when a person is under great mental tension or has suddenly got over that state. Migraine sufferers have what is known as a “migrainous personality”. They are compulsive workers and perfectionists, who feel that they have to do everything right away. When they complete a task, they are suddenly laid down from a state of temporary tension to a feeling of utmost relief. Then comes the migraine. It is a purely physiological process. The head and neck muscles, reacting to continuous stress, become overworked. The tightened muscles squeeze the arteries and reduce blood flow. When a person relaxes suddenly, the constricted muscles expand, stretching the walls of the blood-vessel. With every heart beat, the blood being pushed through this vessels expands them further and causes incredible pain.
What are Root Causes of Migraine?
Doctors aren’t sure what causes migraines, but they suspect an association with abnormal constriction and dilation of the arteries that supply blood to the brain. The problem tends to run in families. There are many possible triggers, including sensitivities to foods or food additives, stress, hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, oral contraceptives, caffeine withdrawal, changes in the weather or season, bright lights, and odors. Migraines are more common in women than in men. It’s easier to prevent a migraine than it is to treat one. Try some techniques explained for you to get quick relief.
Home Remedies Migraine Headaches Quick Relief
What helps a migraine headache best? Is there any herbal remedies for migraine headaches that works naturally with no side effects? Is there any alternative migraines treatments that really works? We hope your all the questions will end up here. Here are some new, natural, herbal home remedies that truly works with no side effects.
- Ginger + Feverfew: Treat it with natural herbs. Bring the water to a boil. Add the ginger and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the feverfew leaves. Cover and steep for 15 to 20 minutes. Strain out the ginger and fever few. Stir in honey to taste, and serve hot.
- Onion: Treat a migraine with an onion compress placed on the forehead. Slice fresh onions and place on a clean cotton. Wrap into a thin parcel to make the compress. Similarly, a compress of sliced raw potatoes, sprinkled with pepper applied to the forehead for an hour is said to work very well to hold off a migraine as well.
- Banana: Acid reflux can be reason for migraine. Certain individuals get migraines at midday, which then subside later in the evening. For such individuals, try this preventive method. It may sound too simple, but it is effective. First thing in the morning, take 1 ripe banana. Peel it, chop it into pieces, and add 1 teaspoon warm ghee, 1 teaspoon date sugar, and a pinch of cardamom on top. This is delicious, and it will help to reduce pitta and prevent a headache from arising.
- Indian Ayurveda Formula: Prepare a mixture with shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) 5 parts, brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) 4 parts, jatamamsi (Spikenard) 3 parts and musta (Cyperus rotundus) 3 parts. Take ½ teaspoon twice a day, morning and evening, after breakfast and dinner, with a little lukewarm water. This formula is designed to pacify the aggravated pitta* and help relieve migraine headaches. Acidity can be the main reason for migraine headache.
- Brahmi: Relieve the pain with natural herb. Putting about 5 drops of warm brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) ghee (Clarified butter) in each nostril will help relieve the pain.
- Sesame Seed + False Black Pepper: This makes effective forehead poultice. Grind vavding (Embelia ribes / False Black Pepper) and sesame seed with milk and apply this paste on forehead to stop migraine headache.
- Khoya: This is a fast and easy home remedy. Mix sugar in milk khoya (Khoa) and eat to stop migraine headache quickly.
- Asafoetida: Mix asafoetida in water and put few drops in each nostrils to get little relief in migraine headache.
- Ritha: Soak 4 ritha (Sapindus) overnight. In the morning take this water and put 4-5 drops into nose. This will start secreting extra liquid from nose. Let this liquid come out and after some time put 4-5 drops of ghee (Clarified butter) in nose. This helps to eliminate chances of trigger.
- Dry Ginger: Levigate dried ginger with water and put few drops in a nostril opposite side of as that of headache. This homemade paste helps to soothe pain.
- Grapes: Drink juice of ripe sweet grapes.
- Cabbage: Grind cabbage. Put this paste in soft cotton cloth and tie it around forehead. Once its dried change the paste. You may do this anytime day or night.
- Lemon: Grind lemon pieces and apply this paste on forehead for migraine headache.
- Cayenne Pepper: Folk remedy that works as quick sniff cure. At the first sign of migraine headache, dip a toothpick in Cayenne Pepper and sniff in each nostril.
- Vegetable Juice: Take 1 and 1/2 cup of spinach juice, 2 cups of carrot juice and finish it by drinking after some interval of time. OR Take 3 cups of beet root juice, 3 cups of cucumber juice, 4 cups of carrot juice. Mix all 3 juices and finish it by drinking after some interval of time.
- Ginger: Crush ginger and mix it with jaggery. Drain it with cotton cloth and put drained liquid in nose.
Tips and Tricks to Keep Migraine Away Permanently
- Stay hydrated. Drink water or any other beverage without dairy or caffeine. Dehydration can lead to headache.
- Don’t skip meals – an empty stomach can trigger a migraine. Do eat a healthy, balanced diet low in fats. Doctors have seen a reduction in migraines when fats are reduced in the diet.
- Take a nap. Lie down in a quiet place and get some shut-eye. Sleep can be the best medicine for a headache. Sleep deprivation increases pain sensitivity. People with migraines report more insomnia than do people without these headaches. Increased sleep might help manage the condition. Chronic migraine sufferers who get more sleep, experienced a significant reduction in headache frequency and intensity.
- Tame stress. Stress overload contributes to tension and migraine headaches. We can all learn to better cope. Stress management therapies can significantly reduce headaches.
- When the sun rises, its hot, sharp, penetrating rays increase pitta* in the cardiovascular system and cause the dilation of the blood vessels in the brain, which results in the painful headaches. So it is important to avoid direct exposure to the sun, and if you do go out in the sun, wear a hat.
- A person having migraines should do the Moon Salutation Yoga posture. Helpful yoga postures include the Hidden Lotus, Boat pose, Bow pose, Spinal Twist, Palm Tree pose, and Standing on the Toes.
- When a headache strikes, one should stay on one’s feet in the daytime and do simple chores which do not require too much concentration or walk, move around and get some fresh air. The best remedy to prevent headaches is to build up physical resistance through proper nutrition, exercise and constructive thinking.
*Pitta: According to Ayurveda in our bodies there are three doshas or humors govern our psychobiological functioning – those are vata, pitta, kapha. These 3 doshas are present in every cell, tissue, and organ. When in balance, they create health. When out of balance, they are the cause of disease. Pitta governs all the biochemical changes that take place within our bodies, regulating digestion, absorption, assimilation, and body temperature. From the standpoint of modern biology, pitta comprises the enzymes and amino acids that play a major role in metabolism. Thus pitta (when in balance) promotes intelligence and understanding and is crucial in learning. Out-of-balance pitta may arouse fiery emotions such as frustration, anger, hatred, criticism, and jealousy. Pitta is hot, sharp, light, oily, liquid, pungent, sour, and spreading.