Natural Remedies to Overcome Migraine
Headache or Migraine?
When you feel pain or pressure in your head, it may become difficult for you to assess whether you are experiencing just a headache or a migraine.
Headaches are the kind of pain that can be caused due to stress, anxiety, tension, sinus, hunger, physical exertion etc. The intensity can vary from mild to moderate pain which can last for as little as 30 minutes may be up to a week. The areas affected are usually the back of your neck, temples or forehead.
Migraine is something more severe than just headaches and headaches are only one symptom of migraines. In fact, they can range in severity and length. It is a genetic neurological disorder and simply not just headaches. Physiologically, there’s a kind of cascade of neurochemical events that happen as the migraine begins, causing this complex web of symptoms. In addition to severe head pain, migraine sufferers may experience some or all of the following symptoms:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sensitivity to light, sound or smell
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Dizziness
- Pain in the back of the ear or eye or in the temples.
Types of Migraine include:
- Classical migraine or Migraine with aura: Classic migraines are more severe than common migraines. Here the person experiences visualizing symptoms like shapes, lines or flashes. They can even go blank with a vision for about 30 to 40 seconds.
- Common migraine or Migraine without aura: About 80% of migraines are common. Common migraines have no “aura.”
- A silent or acephalgic migraine: A type of migraine without head pain but with aura and other aspects of migraine.
- A retinal migraine: A retinal migraine causes temporary vision loss in one eye, which can last from minutes to months, but it is usually reversible.
- A hemiplegic migraine: A hemiplegic migraine can have symptoms that are similar to that of a stroke and can have symptoms like weakness on one side of the body, loss of sensation, or feeling “pins and needles.
- Cluster migraine: Cluster migraine that causes severe headache and pain.
- Sinus migraine: Sinus migraine can cause pain and inflammation.
Causes of Migraine:
- Migraines can be because of hormonal imbalances in women. Some of the reasons can be fluctuations in oestrogen, especially during menopause or pregnancy seem to trigger a migraine.
- Consumption of extremely caffeinated beverages and wines.
- Consumption of salty foods like cheese and other processed food can trigger an attack.
Natural Remedies for Migraine:
There is no specific cure for headaches and migraines. In fact, medication and lifestyle changes can help treat your symptoms and prevent future episodes. In Ayurveda Migraine is simply the imbalance of the three doshas, Vata, pitta and Kapha. The best solution to overcome migraines and daily attacks of headaches is as simple as taking care of yourself and following a regular routine like:
Avoid headache triggers:
Maintaining a headache diary to help you understand the frequent attacks and the cause of the trigger. It must have details charted as time, how long did it last, how were you feeling etc.
Reduce stress:
Stress is a common trigger of chronic headaches. Get organized. Simplify your schedule. Plan ahead. Stay positive. Try stress-reduction techniques, such as yoga, tai chi or meditation. Also, read A Complete Ayurvedic Guide to Stress Management.
Overuse of medication:
Though we also turn to medication as our solution, it is very important to understand the overuse and abuse of medication especially when it comes to over the counter medication with any prescription more than twice a week, then it is inviting trouble and giving a chance to increase in the severity of the headache and also.
Get enough sleep:
The average adult needs seven to eight hours of sleep a night. It’s best to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Talk to your doctor if you have sleep disturbances, such as snoring.
Also read: How to Get Great Night’s Sleep for Better Health
Don’t skip your meals:
Eating plays a very crucial role. Ensure to have your meals regular around the same time.
Say no to caffeine:
If it is possible try to minimize, avoid having caffeine and other drinks that might trigger a headache. While some headache medications include caffeine because they can be beneficial in reducing headache pain, they can also aggravate headaches.
Obesity:
Losing weight is important as most ailments trigger because of weight gains.
Essential oils lavender or peppermint for relief:
Research and studies state that inhaling lavender oil or peppermint oil can give relief against migraine attacks. The soothing smell is pleasant and known to calm and feel relaxed. Try the Aryan Lavender oil or Aryan peppermint oil which is 100% pure essential oil. It is believed to relieve anxiety and has a relaxing effect on the body. It may help promote sleep and fight insomnia by de-stressing the mind and body. Read more about Essential Oils and their benefits here.
Exercise regularly:
Regular aerobic physical activity can improve your physical and mental well-being and reduce stress. With your doctor’s OK, choose activities you enjoy — such as walking, swimming or cycling. To avoid injury, start slowly. Give time for yoga, meditation and relaxation: Regular practise of yoga, meditation and relaxation can calm your body and help you to release the anxiety which in turn eases the tension to trigger a migraine attack.
Compresses:
A hot and cold compress can also go some way in improving a person’s migraine problem.
Ginger it up:
Being a herbal remedy from ancient times, Ginger is known for its calming effect and gives relief against nausea because of its anti-inflammatory properties. Aryan Herbals is here with Aryan ginger oil which is a 100% pure essential oil that can help soothe and ease a migraine attack. We also have the Aryan aloe vera ginger honey juice which again is beneficial for nausea and ingestion.
Black peppercorns or their oil extract:
Including peppercorns in your diet to cure any nagging headache and getting rid of migraine pain. It contains an enzyme known as ‘piperine’ which is anti-inflammatory and a natural pain killer which cuts down on the swelling and also gets rid of the pain in the affected area. Aryan black peppercorn oil is a 100% pure essential oil believed to reduce stress and anxiety.
Word of caution:
While we are aware that natural remedies are most of the time safe and may or may not have any side effects it should be noted that popping a supplement, pill or using an essential oil, like lavender or peppermint, to help soothe a migraine or headache attack can be great therapy, it’s important to be sure you are only using under the guidance of your physician especially the oils are concentrated extracts and can be toxic. Its benefits on people can differ from person to person depending upon the medical condition.
Take away:
Migraine is not just a headache, it’s like a disease and headache is just a part of it. It’s widely misunderstood. You wouldn’t understand it unless you experienced it. Remember pain may come and pain may linger be it a migraine or any other but why live in pain when we have natural remedies to help us or ease our severity of the attacks or triggers.
Also read:
Natural Remedies for Type 2 Diabetes: Part I
Natural Remedies for Type 2 Diabetes: Part II
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