According to recent health statistics, as many as 10% of the U.S. population suffers from migraine headaches. This amounts to approximately 28 million Americans that have experienced at least one migraine headache in their lifetime. A surprising 75% of these cases were women. Around the world, this percentage jumps to 15%. The World Health Organization reports that there may be as many as twenty million migraine attacks happening everyday.
So what causes these attacks? Doctors do not have all of the answers, but they know there is a correlation between the spasming and dilation of the arteries and blood vessels supplying the brain, and the painful attacks. The trigeminal nerve may also play a role, as well as an imbalance in serotonin levels. Those suffering from a migraine show lower than normal serotonin levels.
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Researchers have also found that there are certain triggers for migraines, that tend to vary from person to person. For women, hormone levels may fluctuate and trigger a
migraine attack. The effects of hormones on migraines may explain why the prevalence of migraines in women is higher than in men. In addition to the hormone imbalances, certain foods may trigger the attacks. Alcohol, particularly red wine and beer, aged cheeses, chocolate, and aspartame have been shown to effect some migraine sufferers. As with all headaches, stress plays a role. Sensory stimuli such as bright lights and sunshine, a change in sleeping patterns, physical exertion, and a change in the weather may also play a role. Certain medications have also been shown to trigger migraines as a side effect.
While some of these things can not be changed, there are natural methods for dealing with migraines. For severe cases, doctors may insist on prescribing medication. If migraines are interfering with your everyday life, that is a decision that you and your doctor will need to discuss. But for someone that only occasionally suffers the debilitating effects of a migraine, natural remedies may be more helpful. The first thing that should be done is an assessment of your lifestyle. You and your doctor should discuss whether or not you are getting enough fresh air, exercise, and sleep. Next, take a look at your diet, and attempt to spot trigger foods.
In order to spot migraine trigger foods, track the effects of certain foods on migraine bouts. Once you have determined that specific items trigger attacks, you can limit their use. If some of the culprit foods are your favorites, keep a detailed journal of when attacks strike. There is a chance you may be able to consume certain foods at certain times, especially if you are a woman that finds your migraines coincide with your menstrual cycle.
If tracking your diet for a few months does not seem to reveal anything, you may want to speak with a professional dietitian or nutritionist. They may prescribe an elimination diet which often begins with a short fast. This way your system will be clean and it will be easier to spot triggers. They may also suggest nutritional supplements such as vitamins C,E, or B3, evening primrose, calcium, magnesium, or Omega 3 fatty acids. All of these have been shown to help in the prevention of migraines.
If your migraine attacks have not been completely eliminated by the adjustments in your diet, there are additional things you can use to prevent the onset of headache pain. Massage therapy helps to release muscle tension and restore normal blood flow. A trained therapist will recognize the areas they need to work with in order to reduce the effects of a migraine. Several sessions may be needed to resolve any long term problems, but regular massage is helpful in healing a variety of ailments, and repeat sessions should yield a variety of positive results.
Using hydrotherapy can be very helpful in halting the onset of a migraine headache. Some doctors recommend that as soon as the first signs are felt, splash your face liberally with very cold water. After that, lay down for at least an hour and rest. Even if this does not completely eliminate the symptoms, the cold water and rest will ease the severity. Many
migraine headaches begin with blurred vision, spots in front of the eyes, or a general fogginess that sufferers will soon recognize as the onset of an attack. Aside from general prevention, this stage is when natural treatments are most productive.
Those that have identified their migraine triggers can use essential oils in the prevention of the headache. For instance, if you know stress will set off the pain, mix a blend of chamomile and lavender during a particularly stressful week. Those experiencing a great deal of muscle tension may want to try a blend of peppermint and lavender. A few drops of each oil can be added to a base oil, and then massaged into the temples, neck, and shoulders. Many people find that aromatherapy is valuable in treating a variety of stress-related problems.
Another way to be proactive in the prevention of migraines is to begin practicing yoga. This aids relaxation, and helps with flexibility and circulation. There may be specific positions a yoga instructor can suggest to help you target your migraine trigger areas.
Migraine headaches cause serious pain and problems for those that suffer from them on the consistent basis. A severe migraine could leave someone bedridden for a day or more. In order to lessen their severity and frequency, try incorporating natural treatments into your lifestyle. You may find you are able to eliminate migraines, particularly those that are stress-related, without medication.