WHAT IS Migraine /
Chronic headache
Modern science defines migraine as a chronic neurological disorder symptomized by frequent or continuous episodes of headache. The pain may be associated with one half of the cranium i.e. Hemikrania, which stays generally for 2 hours to 72 hours or more than that in chronic and severe cases.
Cases of migraine are generally observed complaining of visual, sensory and motor disturbances before there is an attack of migraine. Mental or physical Stress in most cases aggravates the symptoms.
Although modern science has no definite reason or pathology for migraine, but environmental and genetic factors are sometimes held responsible for it. It is stated that the increased excitability of neurons of the trigeminal cranial nerve, results into an abnormal and uncontrolled pain which is termed as migraine. In adolescent’s changing hormone levels are considered to be a major factor influencing migraine. If compared females are more prone than males, almost twice the number.
Causes of Migraine
According to Ayurveda factors that are responsible for migraine or which aggravate the condition are:
- Excessive stress
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Sleeping during day time
- Over intake of alcohol/tea/caffeine/fizzy drinks and other stimulants
- Increased intake of sour/salty/spicy tastes
- Excessive intake of oily/ sweet/cold or refrigerated foods/ fermented food like breads/ yogurt and other bakery food
- Over intake of the south Indian dishes like idli/dosa
- Overindulgence of meat and sea food
- Excessive consumption of alcohol, tobacco and other addictive substances, etc.
In females following an improper diet and lifestyle during menstrual cycles may trigger and aggravate the condition.
Conditions which can also be directly responsible for migraine or which aggravate it include: premenstrual syndrome – Back ache, cramps in stomach and legs, headache, irritation and anger (PMS), consuming high dose of antibiotics/painkillers leading to acidity and headache thereafter, psychological conditions such as depression, feeling low, anger, anxiety etc. Stopping natural urges of urination, excretion, flatulence, sleep, hunger, thirst, etc.
Signs and Symptoms of
Migraine
Mild to moderate headache along with the following symptoms:
- Nausea/vomiting
- Irritation
- Anger
- Hypersensitivity to light & sound
- Likes to stay in a dark and quite place
- In severe cases it may also lead to chronic irritation and anger
AYURVEDA PLUS TREATMENT PLAN
Ayurveda suggests exactly pinning point the reasons for any disorder and stopping them slowly or immediately. It also suggests dietary and lifestyle recommendations which restrict the generation of toxic plasma, blood, fat, muscle and other tissues in the body.
Yoga postures such as sun salutations, triangle pose, cat camel pose etc. and breathing techniques such as kapalbhanti – fast bellowing of the stomach etc. are very helpful if done on a daily basis for 20 -30 minutes altogether.
Herbal medication
Depending on your individual body constitution, severity of symptoms, climatic conditions, diet and lifestyle habits, and other health issues a permutation and combination of Aloe vera-kumari, Saraca ashoka (ashok), Boveria diffusa (Punarnava), Trebualis teristata (Gokshur), Tinospora cordifolio (Gudduchi), Curcuma longa (Haridra), Hemidesmus indicus (Sariva), Asparagus racemocea (Shatavari), Rubia cordifolia (Manjistha),etc is helpful to detoxify the blood and digestive system, also helping at the same time to produce optimum body tissues. Thus, steadily diminishing all the symptoms of and associated with migraine.
Rejuvenating herbs are then prescribed to tone your body and re-establish health.
However if migraine has been there for several years and severe, or associated disorders your body might need a complete physical detoxification called as Panchakarma in Ayurveda.
Here Medicated purgation(virechan) would be the preferable choice of the Ayurvedic physician, as it is natural and easy for the body to detoxify from the lower channels.
