MIGRAINE
Migraine headache is a troublesome health problem in the present scenario, and it is not easy to deal also. Migraine headache is the third common disease and the sixth most disabling illness in the world. Migraine is a neurological disease usually associated with severe throbbing pain mostly on one side of the head; visual disturbances, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, extreme sensitivity to sound, light, touch, smell, and tingling sensation or numbness in the face. In about 25% of chronic migraine sufferers, it lives associated with a visual disturbance called an aura; usually, it lasts less than half an hour. Most sufferers get migraine attacks once or twice a month, and it tends to run in families. More than 80%-85% of the sufferers are women because of the fluctuations in estrogen levels.
Migraine – Ayurvedic concept, causes, symptoms, treatment, diet, lifestyle, home Remedies. The video related to this topic is available in the Divineveda YouTube channel, please click this link to watch the video:https://youtu.be/8o5Vmz3Ti7Q
Ayurveda concept
In Ayurveda, this condition is related to ‘Ardhavabhedaka,’ `Arda’ means half, and Avabhedaka indicates a ‘throbbing or penetrating type of pain.’ Even though this is the classic feature of this illness, both sides are affected in about 1/3 of cases. And the symptoms may vary based on body types and habits
Causes
*Foods that can increase Vata Dosha trigger the migraine attacks like processed, fermented, oily, pungent, dry & spicy foods.
*Sudden stoppage of having caffeine products.
*Hormonal changes during a woman’s menstrual cycle or with the use of birth control pills.
*Abnormal sleep patterns.
*Excessive stimulation on sense organs by loud noises, bright lights & strong odors.
*Fasting & Indigestion
*Stress and Anxiety
*Suppression of natural urges.
*Exposure to sun, breeze, fog for the longed period, .etc.
Pathogenesis
Due to the above causative factors, Vata Dosha increases either alone or associated with Kapha Dosha. Thus the flow of Vata dosha in the brain is obstructed and gets lodged in one side of the head, resulting in throbbing pain.
Symptoms
1. Prodromal phase: yawning, low energy level, mood swings.
2. Aura phase: visual disturbances, mild confusions, nausea
3. Attack phase: Throbbing or pulsating pain over one side of the head increasing with every pulse. Pain may radiate to the eyes, eyebrows, neck, and shoulder on the same side. Blurred vision, dizziness.
4. Postdromal phase: pain subsides, tired, exhausted.
Migraine headache vs. other headaches
*Migraine headaches: throbbing or pulsating pains are most commonly felt in one side of the head or even both sides, associated with nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, sound, or odor. Most commonly seen in both women. To know more about Migraine v/s Headaches Please click the link : https://youtu.be/lt-6MZxj-w8
*Tension-Type headaches: tight and steady pains would be experiencing both the sides of the head and neck, which is not associated with nausea or vomiting sensations and sensitivity to light, sound, or odor.
*Sinusitis headaches: pressure type will be experiencing in the sinuses, face, forehead, nose, or area between eyes; other symptoms as in migraine are not present.
*Cluster type of headache: stabbing type of pain is felt on one side of the eye (starting from behind the eyes), absence of nausea, etc. symptoms as in migraine. More commonly seen in men.
Treatment according to Ayurveda
In Ayurveda, combination of purificatory,curative and preventive therapy is followed.For more details regarding treatment protocols,you can check our YouTube video.
1. Ayurvedic therapies
*Shirolepa – Application of herbal pastes which pacify Pitta Dosha like Sandalwood, Jatamansi.
*Shiro Dhara – pouring a thin stream of liquid over the scalp, including takra Dhara, kshetra dhara, etc.
*Kavala Graha – Oil pulling with medicated oil.
*Shirovasti – medicated oils retained in the leather cap fitted over the scalp
*Sneha Nasya – Installation of medicated oil to the nostrils.
You can also check the Divineveda YouTube channel’s video link given below for more details regarding Ayurvedic treatment on migraines.
2. Single herb usage
*Yastimadhu – Indian licorice – Glycyrrhiza glabra
*Sariva –Indian sarsaparilla- Hemidesmus indicus
*Utpala– Blue lotus-Nymphaea caerulea
*Hareetaki – Chebulic myrobalan-Terminalia chebula
*Amalaki –Indian gooseberry – Emblica Officinalis
*Bala – Country mallow-Sida cardifolia
*Mallika –Jasmine- Jasminum officinarum
*Kumari – Aloe Vera-Aloe barbadensis miller
*Chandana _Sandalwood-Santalum album
3. Ayurvedic home remedies
1. Take some jasmine flowers, crush them with some salt, and apply to the affected area.
2. Daily twice, we can take one teaspoon of Sariva root fresh juice mixed with two pinches of Yastimadu powder.
3. Take one teaspoon of Ajwain powder and soak it overnight in hot water; consume it next morning in an empty stomach.
4. Soak some raisins, dates, almonds in water at night; next day morning, have them.
5. The forehead can apply with a mixture of Aloe Vera gel and dry ginger powder.
6. Steaming has to be done using water boiled with Tulsi, Mexican mint, etc.
7. Daily intake of ghee should be following.
8. Take some dry ginger powder or cinnamon powder to this, add two teaspoons of water, and apply it over the affected area for pain relief.
9. Inhale crushed dry Ajwain seeds.
10. Make a tea by adding Basil leaves, Ajwain, Cinnamons, etc. with one water cup by boiling and reducing it to half a quantity. Sip this tea by adding jaggery or palm jaggery.
For more home remedies, you can follow us on the given link: https://youtu.be/Ra7-9UunepQ
Wholesome lifestyle habit
*Make sure to sleep and eat at regular intervals.
* Do not skip your meals.
*Use very mild deodorants.
*Drink very light caffeine products and then gradually stop them.
*During night drive and on sunlight, wear sunglasses & umbrellas.
*Early morning walking for 10 minutes in the fresh air will help you immensely.
*Avoid long run of an air conditioner in rooms.
*Take the oil bath at least once a week.
*Try to control your emotions.
*Listen to soothing music
*Dry gentle massage just with your fingertips on scalp.
Dietary Habits
Wholesome diet
*Include spices like ginger, garlic, pepper, cumin seeds, cloves in your diet.
*Include orange, yellow, and green colored vegetables, such as pumpkins, Ash gourds, cabbages, sweet potatoes, beetroots, carrots, drumsticks, and spinach.
*Include fruits like cherries, watermelons, oranges, lemons, mango, bananas, and pomegranates. And dry fruits like pumpkin seeds, dates, almonds, raisins
*Stay hydrated throughout the day for that try to have tender coconut water, buttermilk, fresh juices
*Include brown rice and whole-wheat in your meals.
*Include ghee, jaggery, butter, etc. in the diet.
Unwholesome diet
*Caffeine products like strong tea and coffee
*Honey, unripe fruits, peas, groundnut, potato, chilly,
*Excess spicy foods, junk foods
Yoga poses for Migraine & Headaches.
Yoga is an ancient technique that promotes a holistic lifestyle with a combination of postures and breathing techniques. Practicing yoga every day will help you reduce the intensity of migraine attacks. Migraine is caused by excessive stimulation of the brain and blood vessels (brain nerves get less oxygen ), resulting in pain. While practicing Pranayama, an inhalation technique to increase the flow of oxygen to the brain can be made into practice to ward off repeated migraine attacks. We can also practice ‘anulom vilom’ if the pain is in the entire head. And single nostril breathing techniques in tackling one-sided migraine, for that practice left-to-left breathing for right-sided pain and vice versa.
The yoga asanas with backward bendings can be useful as a tool to heal migraine and other headaches. When we practice back bending postures, our diaphragm expands, lungs open up, and we inhale more; this results in more excellent oxygen to our brain and relieves us from the pain.
Yoga postures for Migraine
1. Bhujangasana or the Cobra Pose:
Bhujangasana is beneficial for spinal health, and it is one of the primary positions in Surya Namaskar, and it reduces the pain.
2. Ustrasana or the Camel Pose:
Ushtrasana gives stretch to the stomach and thighs while strengthening the back and relieving the from headache.
3. Setu Bandhasana or the Bridge Pose:
Setu bandhasana calms the brain, thus reduces anxiety, useful in migraines associated with constipation.
4. The Shoulder Stand or Sarvangasana:
Sarvangasana reverses the blood flow, thus increases the blood flow towards the brain. Note that all inverted poses (shoulder stands, headstands, plow pose, handstand) should avoid in case of acute headaches.
5.Shishuasana (Child Pose):
Shishuasana calms down the nervous system, and it’s useful in reducing the pain.
6.Hastapadasana (Standing Forward Bend):
Hastapadasana invigorates the nervous system by increasing blood supply and also calms the mind.
7.Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog Pose):
Adho Mukha Svanasana improves the blood flow to the brain and thus relieves pain.
8.Padmasana (Lotus Pose):
Padmasana relaxes the mind and reduce headache.
9.Shavasana (Corpse Pose):
Shavasana revives the whole body by giving it a state of relaxation. After the end of the Yoga session, we can practice Shavasana for calming down the body.
Asanas for general headache
*Marjariasana (Cat stretch)
*Paschimottanasana (Two-legged Forward bend)
NOTE:
Yoga is a way to make your resistance against migraine better and should not be used as an alternative to medication but should be following along with drugs. All asanas should be under the strict supervision of an expert. Consult your nearby doctor before practicing any of the postures mentioned above.
Don’t take mitigating pain medicines regularly. Medication overuse is the most common reason for getting episodic migraine attacks, thus becoming chronic—stress, long hectic travel, alcohol, and smoking worsening this condition. Hence, follow a well-disciplined lifestyle to make you away migraine attacks.
Dr.Rugma Rajendran
BAMS
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