As many as 28 million Americans currently suffer from migraine headaches and spend over $20 million a year to get relief from them. While prescription drugs can be helpful in giving releif from an acute attack, the drugs do little to prevent further attacks and can lessen in effectiveness over time. Migraines are associated with other symptoms like nausea, dizziness, sweats, slurred speech and sensitivities to light and sound. Unfortunately, many people who get migraines are so incapacitated by them that they cannot go to work or take care of their children. I remember the days of silence in our household when my Dad couldn't be exposed to light or noise (very tough in a household of nine!) and couldn't be talked to or bothered until IT had passed.
Our "top ten" will help with preventing, reducing the frequency of and recovering from a migraine:
- Identify and eliminate triggers
- Add magnesium
- Use riboflavin (B2) and CoQ10
- Try feverfew
- Try butterburr
- Diffuse peppermint or lavender essential oils
- Find the appropriate homeopathic remedy
- Experiment with combination formulas
- Have acupuncture treatments
- Exercise!!
1. Researchers have long debated the physical mechanism of a migraine (whether it begins as a vascular, neural or serotonin issue), but most agree that there are certain common "triggers" that can bring one on. The most common of these are food sensitivities, changes in barometric pressure, stress, hormonal fluctuations, inadequate sleep, skipping meals, allergies, alcohol use, and environmental factors like pollution, paint fumes or perfumes. While we can do little about barometric pressure, we can successfully avoid many of the things that act as triggers for us. It is recommended that you look at the two days preceding a migraine for any of these factors and look for patterns. Avoiding those triggers in the future may reduce migraines or eliminate them altogether.
Food sensivities are one of the main things that can trigger a migraine. An elimination diet is recommended for people who would like to identify their own food triggers. One can do this under the guidance of a nutritionist or other practitioner. It involves eating only very low risk foods like pears, lamb and spring water, and gradually adding foods to see if there is any sort of reaction. One study of patients with chronic migraines identified the most offending foods as wheat (78%), oranges (65%), eggs (45%) coffee and tea (40% each), chocolate and milk (37%), beef (35%), corn, cane sugar and yeast (33% each) mushrooms (30%) and peas (27%). When each person's offending foods were removed from the diet, 85% of the patients were headache-free. Children with migraines are especially sensitve to food issues and thus will benefit the most from identifying and eliminating food triggers. Other foods can also cause reactions, like those with MSG and those high in tyramine, an amino acid in aged cheese, deli meats, ripe bananas and alcoholic beverages.
2. Many supplements have been studied for their effectiveness on preventing and treating migraines, with very good success. One of the best studied and most helpful minerals for migraine relief is magnesium. Magnesium is involved in over 400 biochemical reaction in the body, and has particular benefit in relaxing the muscles and arteries (thus improving blood vessel constriction) and in enhancing the effect of serotonin (thus relieving pain). Magnesium is one of the most common mineral deficiencies in the U.S. due to our typical diet and depleted soils. Our diet provides, on average, about 250 mg a day of magensium as opposed to a typical Chinese diet that provides 650 mg. Studies have shown relief from acute migraines with the use of intravenous magnesium within minutes! This nutrient will work best for those with measured magnesium deficiencies and can definitely be used for prevention. It is also strongly indicated in headaches related to the menstrual cycle.
3. Riboflavin (B2) is another nutrient used to reduce the frequency and severity of migraines. Studies have demonstrated impaired energy production in the brain tissue of people with recurring migraines. Since riboflavin has the potential of increasing energy efficiency in the cell, it can bring about stability of the blood vessels in the head, thereby reducing the frequency and intensity of migraines. CoQ10 also assists in energy production and can aid in this way. One may have to take these nutrients for two to three months before seeing an effect.
4 and 5. Two herbal remedies, butterburr and feverfew, have been studied and found to be effective in the preventing migraines and reducing their severity. Butterburr is a shrub that grows in Europe, Asia and Africa. A standardized extract of butterburr called Petadolex has been shown effective in studies and is patented. Butterburr acts by reducing muscle spasms in the smooth muscle of the vascular walls. It also reduces leukotrines, providing an anti-inflammatory effect. Feverfew inhibits platelet aggregation and histamine release and regulates serotonin release from the platelets. It has also been found to reduce the side effects of migraine such as vomiting and nausea. One excellent product we carry for the prevention of migraines is Butterburr extra, a combination formula made by Vitanica that has feverfew, butterburr, magnesium, riboflavin and other nutrients. Another is Quantum Herb's headache formula, which has feverfew and white willow bark (which aspirin is made from) as its main ingredients. I used it today and it worked very well!
6. Aromatherapy can be useful in taking the edge off of a migraine. My two sisters, who both suffer from migraines, use the Migrastick, a convenient purse or pocket-sized aromatherapy stick that contains peppermint and lavender essential oils. Just a dab or two on the temples and/or the forehead will, according to them, not completely get rid of the headache, but rather make it bearable enough that they can go about their day. Peppermint is very invigorating and can help open up the blood vessels. Lavender has a calming effect. Either of these scents can also be diffused in your home, office or car. Peppermint has the added benefit of promoting alertness and is therfore great for use in your car.
7. Homepathy is a favorite among some migraine sufferers since it does not interfere with prescrption drugs (as some herbs can, please have us check our reference book if you have a concern). The key to using homeopathy to recover from a migraine is to pay close attention to your symptoms and what makes them feel better or worse. Is the headache mainly on the left or right side of the body? Does it feel better from either hot or cold? Does motion help or hurt the headache? Is the face red? Is the head throbbing? Is there a sensitivity to light or sound?
While there are at least 8 remedies recommended in the Homeopathic Self Care book by Robert and Judyth Ullman, the most typical remedies for migraines are belladonna, sanguinaria, natrum muriaticum and iris. These are the conditions under which each is indicated:
Belladonna: Violent, right-sided headaches with severe throbbing pain. The head feels worse from the least movement or jarring. There is an extreme sensitivity to light , sun or noise and a firey red, hot, and dry face with glassy eyes. May be indicated in those personality types that are prone to sudden outbursts of anger. There may be a desire for very cold drinks or no thirst at all. The person may feel better from bending backward or sitting up in a still position.
Sanguinaria: Migraines on the right side, extending from the neck or upper back to the right forehead and eye. Headaches can happen at menopause, coincide with hot flashes, or be from indigestion with burning pain in the stomach. The person feels better from vomiting, passing gas or belching, or from sleep. They can be sensitive to the light, sun, noise or jarring and have a sensitivity to odors.
Natrum Muriaticum: One of the most common remedies for migraine, these headaches can feel like hammers knocking on the brain. These headaches may come on after grief or disappointment, or exposure to the sun. The headache may be over the eyes or in the forehead. The person may feel better from lying with a cold cloth on the head, being in the open air, perspiring, or lying in a dark, quiet room. People who are prone to these types of headaches may be easily hurt, have symptoms between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm, and be deeply affected by music.
Iris: Indicated in migraines where there are visual disturbances, pain on one side of the head, and a lot of nausea and vomiting. Also for migraines that are worse on the right side, change from side to side, or are experienced along with herpes or psoriasis. There may be vomiting of sour bile with the headache and lots of urination after the headache is over. Personality types who have an affinity to this remedy are those who are afraid of illness, are depressed, are nervous or have difficulty studying.
8. Some companies also make combination homeopathic remedies for headache. Heel makes two formulas, Headache and Headache II. The Headache II formula is targeted specifically to migraines, while the regular Headache formula is tailored to stress and tension headaches. My daughter also has great success with Hyland's Migraine Relief formula which combines belladonna with several other remedies.
9. Acupuncture can have a very positive effect on the elimination of migraines. Different acupuncture points will be used by your practitioner, depending on what they determine to be the likely cause of your migraines. My sister has had very good success in using acupuncture to treat migraines. It is particularly helpful to use acupuncture as a preventative method since clearing energy blocks can stop the headaches before they become a problem. We would be happy to recommend a practitioner and even know two that will work with children or others with a fear of needles by using acupressure instead.
10. Exercise is a wonderful way to prevent migraines because it does so much for circulation of the blood and the lymph. Even 20-30 minutes of walking per day can have profound effect on your overall health and therefore you headaches. Studies have shown that migraine sufferers who exercise on a regular basis have a decrease in frequency of migraines and recover from them more quickly.
So.....we hope we have given you some good tools to help reduce or eliminate your migraines. Just remember that using supplements is not a quick fix. You may need to take the nutrients for a month or two before you see results. The homeopathic remedies, once you find the right one, are good for acute attacks. I hope you'll try some of these ideas and learn what helps you heal from your headaches!!
