29 April 2009MIGRAINE
This particularly unpleasant form of headache is sometimes known as sick headache and a percentage of the population, mostly female, is prone to recurrent attacks. The patient will be warned that a migraine is imminent by visual disturbances such as bright flashes of light and squiggly patterns before the eyes. These are caused by the tight constriction of the blood vessels in the head. The vessels then dilate suddenly, leading to the onset of some or all of the classic migraine symptoms: a throbbing and debilitating headache, light sensitivity, numbness on one side of the face and limbs, nausea and vomiting. A migraine can last for anything from a couple of hours to days. Often migraines come in lots of two or three. You may suffer from several in a week and then none at all for months at a time.
In the case of migraine, prevention is certainly easier than cure. They are known to be brought on by stress and can be the result of food allergy in many people. The kinds of food which trigger a migraine differ from person to person, but common culprits include coffee, chocolate, alcohol, monosodium glutamate (MSG), oranges and hard cheeses. You should avoid these foods as well as high salt, fried or greasy foods. In many people, the avoidance of certain foods will prevent up to 90% of migraine attacks. Make sure you keep a record of foods eaten just prior to the onset of a migraine. Some women suffer migraines in conjunction with their menstrual period and others fall victim when taking oral contraceptives. If, as a woman, you suffer tingly sensations in your limbs during a migraine, it is wise to avoid taking the contraceptive pill altogether.
The herb feverfew, when taken daily, is known to protect against migraines. A study in Britain in 1985 proved that those taking feverfew capsules of 50mg strength suffered considerably less migraines than the control group. Only one particular species of feverfew is effective and potency can vary greatly. A qualified naturopath should be able to provide you with a suitable dosage.
Air ionisers are increasingly popular among migraine sufferers. It is believed that migraine is associated with the release of a substance called serotonin from the platelets in the blood and negative ions are said to reduce the platelets’ capacity to carry the substance. Migraines can thus be averted or the symptoms made much less severe by the installation of an ioniser.
Once a migraine is underway, the best methods for relieving the pain include acupuncture and acupressure techniques. If you suffer from migraines it may be advantageous to locate an acupuncturist near your home or place of work in case of an attack. Moxibustion, the use of heated needles in acupuncture, is thought to be particularly successful in the control of migraine pain. Acupressure points for migraine are located at the base of the web between the finger and thumb (apply pressure in the direction of the finger bone) and at the top of the neck beneath the skull. If you are not well acquainted with acupressure techniques it may be wise to seek professional help and advice for future attacks.
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