Migrane Headache
A migraine headache is often considered to be stronger and more painful than a regular headache. There are some specific signs and symptoms that associate with headaches that identify them as migraines. Some of these involve the autonomic nervous system, that part of our nervous system that automatically regulates bodily functions.
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The word migraine means pain on one side of the head and migraines are commonly unilateral. There may be a throbbing pain or stabbing pain. It may center around the eye or the temple or behind the ear.
Many patients experience other symptoms before, after or during their migraine episode. Some patients know a migraine is coming because their vision changes, they may see strange lights or streaks or auras. They may feel nauseous, get the sniffles or experience any one of a number of symptoms that precede the migraine. These symptoms may result from the influence that a migraine has on the autonomic nervous system.
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Almost all headaches result from inflammation. The type of headache is based upon the location and severity of the inflammatory process. Migraines tend to be described as quite severe and tend to recur. They may associate with neck problems, exposure to triggers in the form of foods, medications, smells, weather or the release of endogenous hormones. They may come regularly or out of the blue.
The patient is often forced to lie still in a dark room until the pain subsides which may take anywhere from a few hours to a day. It is common for patients to experience a hangover after a migraine. Their migraine may have changed into a regular headache, they may experience nausea or feel fatigued, depressed or anxious.
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Conventional treatment usually involves medication and may be effective. Medications can be taken right before a migraine is about to occur as a preventive or they can be taken regularly.
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Acupuncture is highly effective. Migraines result from an out-of-control inflammatory process and getting rid of inflammation is what acupuncture does best. It is common for migraine sufferers to find a permanent solution with acupuncture. Points are commonly located on the neck shoulders, hands and feet and in some cases the head itself. Acupuncture is not always effective, but when it is, the results are quick and dramatic. It is a painless procedure.
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Migraine self-care may involve massage, meditation or relaxation exercises, avoiding sitting too long or exercising to vigorously and probably most important, the identification and avoidance of migraine triggers.
This is one area to try massage.
Here is another area to massage that may help.
Helping patients find permanent remission is a major part of my migraine treatment plan.
Some patients know why they have a migraine. It may come from their sore neck. It may occur every month associated with the menstrual cycle. It may happen after a day in the hot sun at the beach or after sitting through a loud concert or movie.
For patients that suffer from migraines from an unknown cause I find it imperative to attempt to discover the culprit and help the patient eliminate it.
This process involves a certain amount of trial and error. The patient may choose to begin a food and beverage diary. After a migraine has been initiated, they may look back in their diary to see what factors could have caused it. A patient may choose to change their dietary habits dramatically. This often reveals the culprit. For those that present for treatment, I conduct a short interview in an attempt to guess at their specific trigger. The patient can then avoid this food or ingredient for a period of time and observe if there have been any improvements in their condition.
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If a food or beverage is identified, most patients find the motivation to avoid it. The pain and suffering that results from a migraine makes it difficult to knowingly engage in any activity likely to bring one on.
A common culprit is wine. Some wines contain additive triggers, for some it is the wine itself. Other forms of alcohol can act as a trigger as can sugar, which is similar.
I find in my practice, a common culprit is dairy foods. For some patients it is only aged cheese, for most it would be any food that originated as milk. Cheese, yogurt, ice cream, half-and-half, butter or milk can be avoided for a period of time in order to determine if they are implicated in the etiology of migraine.
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Other common triggers are nightshade vegetables (tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants and peppers), meat, especially processed meats, soy, corn, gluten or casein. If any specific patient is experiencing migraine headaches as a result of being triggered by any of these ingredients, complete avoidance results in complete remission. It is almost never more than one culprit per patient, which makes it easier, once it is identified to be eliminated.
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