Daily Times

Migraine or headache is a common, usually lifelong, and often disenabling chronic condition that impacts people most around the world. It is most misunderstood illness even by medical doctors because the symptoms are overlapping and most suffers don’t keep a track of their headache or migraine pattern.

The characteristics of migraine and headaches are quite different. Dr. Richard Lipton, director of Headache Unit at Montefiore Medical Centre in New York explains that a migraine is more localized in one region of the head whereas the headache engulfs both sides of the brain. Migraine gives out throbbing outburst of pain and headaches are more constant in pain. Migraines is considered to be more than just a headache as it can lead to severe symptoms such as blurred vision and nausea.

Medical diagnosis is usually inconclusive and the sufferers are left to their own assessment of pain triggers and temporary treatment with over the counter pain killers. Such treatment can cause much harm to the body especially liver which needs to process the toxicity of these pain pills. Moreover, the underlying cause is often ignored and remains untreated.

Migraines are more than inflamed blood vessels and linked to nervous system. A particular nerve, trigeminal nerve transmits pain to the head. Its route is all the way from the brain to the face. When stimulated trigeminal nerve causes debilitating tension in the jaw and around one eye, although it does not affect the eye directly. It is also linked to the vomiting centre which causes nausea and vomiting during the migraine.

World Health Organisation ranks migraine as world’s 20 top most disenabling chronic condition and the top three triggers mentioned are stress (80%), hormone fluctuations (65%), sleep disturbances (50%). Other factors which are lifestyle related triggers such as neck pain, lights, smoke, late sleeping and heat can also contribute substantially.

Research shows that women are affected three times more than men. In many cases hormonal imbalance due to menopause or use contraceptives, is often ignored. There is some good news writes Paul Rizzoli, MD, as a recent study suggests that, at least in women, having a diagnosis of active migraine is somewhat protective against the development of type 2 diabetes. In this study, which followed nearly 75,000 women for 10 years, women with active migraine were 20% to 30% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes over the course of the study than women with no history of migraine. In addition, if the migraine condition improved and the headaches lessened, the chances of developing diabetes went up.

Even with a correct diagnosis, many sufferers assume nothing can be done about migraines and headaches. Gray Null stresses in “Get Healthy Now” the need for changes in lifestyle and diet. He quotes Dr. Zuzana Bic research on diet related triggers which shows, “a high level of fat in the blood will crowd up the vessels, similar to a crowded freeway with one car humping into another. A process like platelet, causing congregation occurs and there is a little bit of damage to the platelet, causing it to release serotonin…which is a very important neurotransmitter and important factor in triggering headaches”.

An old saying “feed the headache” was perhaps to be taken further by adding “with right foods”. The Ayurvedic tradition offers much insight into what food is best suited for persons with migraines and headaches. According to Ayurveda, these migraines mostly occur when systemic pitta (state of heat) moves into the cardiovascular vessels around brain, dilating the blood vessels. It recommends preventive rituals such as cooling breakfast which includes, a teaspoon of warm ghee with a pinch of cardamom served with dates or banana or raisins.

Some strategies recommended by Harvard Medical School also belong to old school dogma, that included getting enough sleep, not skipping meals, and avoiding stress and fatigue. Along with these lifestyle strategies, day to day natural remedies can be powerfully healing. Replace caffine drink with ginger tea as it contains chemicals called “gingerol” and “shogaol” which neutralizes the digestive acids and inhibits the vomiting. Ask a yoga teacher for bahmari breathing or watch my youtube channel on “yogic breathing” for the correct technique.

So lets “feed the headache with right foods” and become open to nature healing modalities.

Author is a Wellness & Yoga Expert