Migraines are a vascular headache caused by
contraction of the brain's blood vessels. Generally, classified in two types: "Classic" and "Common". A
classic migraine may involve weakness, speech problems, sight or smell problems, and the inability to see clearly
form a few seconds to several hours. The common migraine normally occurs slowly, with a throbbing
pain that lasts from 2 hours to 3 days. The pain is severe and usually located behind the ear or
temple. It may also involve nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, and numb or tingling in arms or legs.
Migraines are a common health problem affecting about 10% of all
people. Women are more likely to get migraines. Many things can trigger a migraine headache
including: allergies,
constipation, liver problems,
lack of exercise, teeth problems, sleep problems,
emotional changes, low blood sugar levels, smoking, and
stress.
The word "migraine" comes from the Greek hemikrania, which means "half a skull". It is normally
accompanied by blurred vision, nausea and/or vomiting, and
tingling and numbness in the limbs that can last up to 18 hours
or more. A classic migraine is similar to a common migraine, but
it is preceded by a set of symptoms referred to as an aura,
which can consist of speech disorders, weakness, and
disturbances in the senses of vision and/or smell. An aura can
also consist of brilliant stars, sparks, flashes, or simple
geometric forms passing in the person's the vision. But the most
common symptom is just not seeiny clearly. Visual disturbances
may last only a few seconds or may persist for hours, then
disappear. Migraines are a fairly common problem, and affect
about 10% of the population. Over 9% of females and 3% percent
of males in the USA suffer from migraine headaches. They may
occur anywhere from once a week to once or twice a year, and the
problem often run in families. One factor behind the higher
incidence of migraine in women may be changes in the level of
the hormone estrogen; women normally get migraines around the
time of menstruation, when estrogen levels are low. Migraines
occur most often in people between 20 to 35 years of age and
tend to reduce with age. However, children may also suffer from
migraines. In children, migraine pain tends to be more spread
out, rather than localized. Migraine can first show up in
childhood not as headaches, but as colic, periodic abdominal
pains, vomiting, dizziness, and severe motion sickness.
According to the USA Center for Disease Control and Prevention,
the number of cases of migraine headaches has increased over 60%
in the last few years.
Nutrient /
Supplement |
Importance
( 1 - 10 ) |
Helpful notes |
Aloe
Vera |
10 |
herb that helps with body stress
and also may help with any sleep problems as well. Herbal
blends may also contain kava kava, chamomile, and passion
flower with the aloe vera. |
Chamomile |
10 |
herb effective for
treatment of migraines |
Calcium |
10 |
this mineral helps
people with migraines and with transmission of nerve impulses in
the body. ( see also magnesium) |
Magnesium |
10 |
influences metabolic rate and
also helps reduces body stress and works with calcium a good natural
multi-vitamin
& mineral supplement.
Women often have low magnesium. |
Ginkgo
biloba |
9 |
herb
that helps with brain
circulation and oxygen flow |
Coenzyme Q10 |
8 |
increases blood flow
to your brain and improves circulation |
B
vitamins |
9 |
B
vitamins are very important for the proper function of your brain and nervous system.
Supplements with natural vitamin B can
also help with depression, digestion and allergy problems. |
Riboflavin |
9 |
vitamin
B2 is needed for healthy nervous system |
Pantothenic
acid |
9 |
vitamin
B5 aids with stress and required for adrenal function |
Pyridoxine |
9 |
vitamin
B6 needed for normal brain function |
Omega
fatty acids |
9 |
they are needed for brain cells health and
fat metabolism. The essential fatty acids also are required
for proper nervous system function. |
Taurine |
8 |
important anti-oxidant and immune
system regulator and it is good for neurological function in the brain. |
vitamin C |
8 |
helps in the body's production of
anti-stress adrenal hormones and boosts the body's immune system. |
Bioflavonoids |
8 |
works with vitamin C |
Other Changes To Make
-
drink 6-8 glasses of steam distilled or
filtered water a day
-
eat 50% raw fruits and vegetables (organic is best)
-
nuts, seeds, and whole grains are good
-
juice is good (make your
own with a juice machine)
-
do not worry as much about calories as eating the right foods
-
carrot and celery sticks are good to use as a snack
-
a colon cleansing can be very helpful - (do several times each year)
-
do not drink coffee, alcohol, soda pop, other junk food drinks
-
do not eat processed foods white sugar, white flour, etc...
-
use stress relief like going for walks in the park
(or the 10/90 rule - see
Stress)
-
brown rice is good to eat
-
avoid red meat and animal fats
-
reduce dairy products cheese, milk, and others
-
fast a few days a month
-
get at least 8 hours of sleep
-
exercise light to moderate amounts
-
avoid artificial sweeteners like Aspartame and NutraSweet
-
do not smoke and avoid second hand smoke
-
do not skip meals - just eat better and not as much at each meal
-
do not chew gum - it can cause you to feel hungry
-
do not watch too much TV try reading a book or something else
|