Jean Rudd
Migraine is characterized by its one-sided nature |
Always remember, where there is a symptom (pain) there is a real problem existing somewhere in your body to trigger it off. Pain is the body’s warning signal that something is not functioning 
correctly. Tablets take the pain away, although effective for a short time, is only a band-aide and the “real problem” will only get worse if it is not treated.
You walk into your doctor’s office with the hope of getting some relief from the migraine headaches that have been plaguing you for years. After asking a few questions, the doctor sits you down and says, “I have two options for you. One works just as well as the other.”
“I should tell you that one has some side effects. You might end up feeling depressed, or in rare cases could even show suicidal behaviours. You might also have chest pain, hallucinations, blood clots, high blood sugar, or kidney stones. There are a few more. I’ll give you a pamphlet on your way out.”
“Wow,” you say, “if the second one works just as well as the first one, it must have some serious side effects, too. What are they?”
“Well…” answers your doctor, “…there aren’t any!”
The drug topiramate comes with a long list of scary side effects, The most common side effects included numbness, fatigue, feeling depressed, vertigo, and constipation. The Big Pharma would like to have you believe that the best–or the ONLY–treatments for our health concerns, diseases, and conditions come from a lab. But that is simply not the case.
What is a Migraine
During an attack, the blood vessels in the brain dilate and then draw together with stimulation of nerve endings near the affected blood vessels.
These changes to the blood vessels are probably what cause the pain. But migraine is still a condition that is poorly understood.
What might trigger migraine?
Most people suffering from migraine are aware that different foods, 
Other things that may trigger an attack include Exercise, Anxiety, Stress, bright lights, loud noise, travel and The Contraceptive Pill.
These particular causal factors vary from patient to patient. Some women experience attacks more frequently around the time of their Menstrual Periods.
Migraine sufferers should avoid factors such as alcohol, lack of sleep and foods that are known to cause attacks.
A study out of Sweden shows that there is another side-effect-free therapy for migraines that through studies done, does really well.
Physical Fitness not only energises the body but also helps the body to excrete Toxins through the pores, which may be a factor for Migraines, and also increases the oxygen level in the body.
Regular aerobic exercise just 40 minutes on a stationary bike three times per week was just as effective as the drug. Some women
The results shocked even the researchers–they’d expected exercise to have some benefit, sure, but they hadn’t expected it to do just as well as a big name drug. And of course, exercise is both good for you AND side effect free. On the other hand,
If you’re looking for additional ways to prevent and treat migraine attacks, consider a “good” Cranio-Sacral Therapist, and a good Naturopath.
Dr Arikian has had great success, with treating Migraine, in both males as well as females. There can be a range of causes for Migraines. Quite often the cause can also be coming from the digestive area, as a result of stress, known or unknown, which CST, can unwind and release.
Are migraines hereditary?
There’s often a predisposition for migraine within the family of migraine sufferers. But it is not certain how large a role heredity plays.
Although it can come on later in life, this is unusual. About 90 per cent of migraine sufferers have their first attack before they are 40.
The onset of migraine in women often occurs around Puberty – therefore linking migraine to hormonal triggers.
Migraine sufferers should avoid factors such as alcohol, lack of sleep and foods that are known to cause attacks.
What are the typical features of migraine?
People often use the word ‘migraine’ to refer to headaches of many different types. So-called ‘classical’ migraine attacks have several features:
- headaches that occur in bouts of between roughly 4 to 72 hours
- the headaches usually affect one side of the head at a time, although both sides may be affected in separate attacks
- the headaches are usually throbbing and worsened by normal physical activity
- nausea and/or vomiting
- preceding symptoms, called ‘aura’, that most often are visual, such as zigzag lines or flashing lights across or at the edges of the fields of vision
- other symptoms can include sensitivity to light and sound, or non-visual aura such as a sensation of
tingling in the body.
Only about 15 per cent of people experience visual aura before an attack. ‘Common migraine’ refers to the majority who have all the other symptoms but no aura.
Rarely some people with migraine experience transient loss of power of a limb with severe attacks, or temporary difficulty with speech.
In addition to an interview, the doctor should also perform a physical examination. If there is any doubt about the diagnosis, the doctor will refer the patient to an expert on diseases of the brain (neurologist).
Diagnosing migraine
The first-ever attack of migraine can look like many other conditions, including Meningitis or even a Stroke – so great care can be needed in making the initial diagnosis.
Once several attacks have occurred, however, the pattern becomes recognisable.
Depending on the circumstances, it may be necessary for the person to see a specialist (neurologist) to have investigations such as a brain scan.
Other tests, such as those for ‘allergies’ or which seek to identify triggers for the migraine, are of little help.
Blood Tests are normal in migraine
How is a migraine treated?
Particular foods are identified as migraine triggers in about 20 per cent of sufferers. The large female preponderance within migraine sufferers points to the importance of hormonal factors, such as the menstrual cycle, which are not modifiable.
Many women also find that the Oral Contraceptive Pill worsens attacks, and if so it should be stopped. (Women who get migraines with aura, severe migraines regularly lasting over 72 hours despite treatment, or migraines that are treated with ergot medicines should not take the contraceptive pill.)
People suffering a migraine should try to rest in a dark, quiet room.
Treatment of migraine is most effective if given at the start of an attack.
Treatments for sufferers aged under 18 may differ from older patients, so it’s important to discuss this with the pharmacist before buying any over the counter remedies.
They are preferably taken in soluble or liquid form because these are absorbed by the body faster. If nausea or vomiting are a problem, suppositories may be preferable. Alternatively, an anti-sickness medicine can be taken with the painkiller. Check with your Doctor.
Herbal Remedies
It’s worth noting that using any painkillers for headaches or migraines too often or for too long can actually make the headaches worse. If you find you’re getting frequent migraines and are often taking painkillers, it’s important to consult your doctor for advice.
Often several kinds of medication need to be tried and perhaps combined before the most effective treatment for each individual patient can be found.
Alternative therapies, such as CST, Naturopathy, Homoeopathy and acupuncture, and exercise as mentioned above would be a good alternative to constantly taking prescription drugs. Also, is there something in your diet that is irritating your stomach, as that can be another cause for headaches.
The herbal remedy Feverfew has shown some efficacy in preventing migraine and is available over the counter.
Lifestyle and dietary advice are always important.