What is migraine?

 Migraine can be defined as a type of headache in which there is throbbing  and pulsating pain on one side of head.

Migraine is complex neurological disorder typically characterized by moderate to severe headaches (usually unilateral).Migraine pain is usually reoccurring and untreated pain attacks known as migraine attacks may last hours to days , severely affecting life of an individual.

Increased sensitivity to light, specific odour, noise; nausea; vomiting are some other associated symptoms of migraine.

 

What are trigger factors of migraine?

 

There are a number of factors that may trigger or  increase pain in different individuals suffering from migraine. Some of the common factors are as follows :

 

• Excess or scanty sleep.
• Certain odours.
• Smoke.
• Stress.
• Fasting.
• Sudden change in weather/ environment.
• Anxiety.
• Light, noise.
• Hormonal changes.
• Pregnancy.
• Tobacco .
• Alcohol .
• Sexual activity
• Over Exertion etc.

 

 

Who is more likely to suffer from migraine?

Migraine being a primary type of headache, effects one in seven globally. Migraine is ranked third most prevalent and seventh highest specific cause of disability worldwide .

 Some commonly seen Prevelances are as follows :

• Age factor – migraine occurs in both children and adults.
• Gender factor – migraine effects females three times more than males.
• Family history – individuals suffering from migraine often have family history of the disorder.
• Co- morbidities – migraine frequently occurs in people who have other medical conditions such as- epilepsy, depression, anxiety etc.
• Migraine with aura – individuals who have pre -migraine symptoms commonly known as 'aura'

Have slightly more risk of having a migraine stroke.

Some medications – such as oral contraceptives have shown to show side effects leading to migraines in some individuals.

 

What are different phases of migraine?

 

Prodorme – Premonitory  symptoms such as food cravings, mood swings, excess uncontrollable yawning , fluid retention or excess urination, thirst, restlessness etc. occur  approximately 24 hours prior to a migraine attack.

Aura – Auras can precede headache or can be present simultaneously with headache. Symptoms such as -visions of bright light, muscle weakness, distorted sensation of touch etc. present just prior to a migraine attack is known as ‘migraine with aura'.

Headache- head pain in migraine usually builds in intensity gradually is typically unilateral and of pulsating and throbbing nature. However Some individuals may have migraine without a headache.

 Postdrome – postdrome period may last upto a day following a migraine attack characterised by confusion, exhaustion, dizziness, difficulty concentrating etc.

 

Classification of migraine?

 Two common types of migraine are as follows:

• Migraine with aura – Aura is usually present with one or more unilateral symptoms such as visual disturbances, nausea, loss of appetite, tingling sensation, muscle weakness(on one side of body),increased sensitivity to light, sound etc, troubled speech and other neurological symptoms that appear about ten to sixty minutes before migraine headache and last for about one hour. Sometimes aura happens without headache.

 

• Migraine without aura -  It is more commonly occuring form of migraine (75% cases) in which headche accompanied by nausea, confusion, blurred vision, fatigue, increased sensitivity to light and sound etc. occurs without above mentioned warning signs. Headache is usually aggravated by physical activity

 

 

Some other types of migraine are –

• Chronic migraine
• Abdominal migraine.
• Basillar – type migraine. (In children and adolescents)
• Hemiplegic migraine.
• Menstrual migraine.
• Migraine without headache. (Visual disturbance, nausea etc are present)
• Ophthalmoplegic migraine
• Retinal migraine.
• Status migrainosus.

Etiology of migraine.

Migraines attacks are found to be a result of combination of genetic, environmental, and neurological factors. Several Research reveal that migraine headaches are linked to abnormal brain activities that affects nerve signals, chemicals, and blood vessels within the brain leading to pain, nausea and other symptoms associated with migraine.

 

Ayurvedic management of migraine.

 

The treatment of migraine headaches must involve an enclusive multifaceted aimed approach that focuses on  alleviating current symptoms, preventing further attacks, and improving patients’ overall quality of life.

Migraine is often correlated to “Ardhavabhedaka” in Ayurveda.

In Ayurvedic classical texts some etiological factors such as excessive consumption of dry substances, exposure to cold, inappropriate sexual activity, withholding of natural urges(such as hunger, thirst, urine, stool etc), excess exhaustion, excess exercise are said 'Vata dosha vitiation'  .

While habitual intake of food before the digestion of  previous meals, intake of heavy to digest food, drinking excess cold water contribute to ' Kapha dosha vitiation' and thereby formation of ama (a by-product of impaired metabolism).

Due to the above etiological factors, Vata dosha alone or along with Kapha dosha affects the head and produces severe unilateral pain in the head, neck, eyebrow, temples, ear, eye, and forehead. This Pain is of acute nature, similar to a cut from sharp weapon, pricking and when it becomes severe may impair the functions of sensory organs such as eye, ear etc.

 Ayurvedic management combines  shodhana (detoxification) as well as shamana( internal medications) along with diet and lifestyle modifications to provide a holistic solution to migraine.

 

Snehapana , Svedana , Virechana, nasya therapy, followed by oral intake of Ayurvedic medications and correction of digestive fire are commonly employed practices in  treatment of migraine.

 

Diet and lifestyle do play  major role in preventing the frequency and intensity of migraine, Thus, incorporating lifestyle and diet changes is important for maintaining doshas balance and requires proper counselling of patient followed by patient commitment and social support .

 The following lifestyle changes can be included to improve the quality of life in patients suffering from migraine headaches:

• Ensure Proper sleep, avoid day sleeping
• Regular exercises
• Yoga(Shishuasanam, Sethu Bandasanam, Hastapada asana etc)
• Meditation
• Adequate hydration
• Relaxation techniques
• Cognitive-behavioural therapy
• Biofeedback
• Massage therapy
• Acupuncture
• Reduction of individual triggers
• Regular detoxification by Panchkarma therapies. Etc

 

Pathya Ahara (Good Diet)

Few common Food items according to Ayurveda that are good for migraine are as follows:

 

• pulses (like green gram)
• vegetables( like potatoes, drum stick, etc )
• green leafy vegetables
• Fruits (like Indian gooseberry, Pomegranate)
• Cow milk
• Cow ghee
• Sugar and honey etc.

 

Apathya Ahara (Bad Diet)

Following food items must be avoided by patients suffering from migraine:

• Alcoholic beverages.
• certain vegetables like onion, lemon, etc.
• certain dairy products like yogurt, old cheese,  etc
• Caffeine like coffee, tea
• Pulses like red gram
• Chocolates
• New Wheat etc.