More than 26 million people in the United States suffer from migraines, which may occur anywhere from once a week to once or twice a year; and they often run in families. The incidence of migraine headaches has increased by 50% within the last twenty years. Women are twice as likely as men to experience these headaches, and some evidence suggests that migraines are inherited. They tend to affect people for the first time between the ages of 10 and 30 with symptoms tending to become far less intense after the age of 50.
What is a Migraine?
A Migraine is a severe headache that occurs periodically. It is characterized by intense, throbbing, often blinding pain, and consists of one or more of the following symptoms: sensitivity to light, nausea, vomiting, chills, facial swelling, tenderness of the scalp, sweating, frequent urination, irritability, visual hallucinations, and tiredness. The headache may be preceded by a warning sensation, known as an aura, which may include flashes or patterns before the eyes, illusory tastes or odors, dizziness, tingling, or numbness.
At the onset of a migraine headache, blood vessels within the head constrict, causing a decrease in blood flow to the surface of the brain. Swelling of blood vessels in the head and scalp then sets off a chain of reactions that result in the headache. Among the biochemical changes associated with migraines are a reduced level of the neurotransmitter serotonin. Migraines are often referred to as a “low serotonin syndrome”.
The first step in treating a migraine headache is identifying the precipitating factor(s)/triggers.
A number of things can trigger a migraine in a susceptible individual, including allergies; excess carbohydrates in the diet; foods rich in the trace element iodine; alcoholic beverages; constipation; stress stress due to anything from overwork, sun glare to loud noises; liver malfunction; too much or too little sleep; emotional changes; hormonal level changes (such as those experienced by women during menopause or menstruation); endocrine imbalances; lack of exercise; the overuse of painkillers as well as changes in the barametric pressure. Dental problems may also be a factor. Low blood sugar is frequently associated with migraines. Studies have shown that blood sugar levels are low during a migraine attack.
The 5 Phases of a Migraine
There are usually five phases in a migraine:
A day or so before the onset of a headache, there may be detectable changes in mood, problems with memory, and alteration in one or all of the five senses, or speech problems.
Just before the headache begins, some people see flashes or patterns of light and/or experience numbness of hands or mouth.
The headache starts, with severe, throbbing pain. It may occur on one side or on both sides of the head. The pain can also move from side to side. Nausea may set in, along with tenderness in the neck and scalp. The eyes may be very sensitive to light, and the person may be almost immobilized by the pain.
The headache dissipates. Nausea may linger.
The person may feel tired and may simply want to sleep.
Diet
A migraine headache is a multifaceted disease, and can be described as a symptom rather than as a disease. The challenge is to determine which of the several factors discussed here are responsible for the migraine in an individual. Avoidance of initiators is particularly significant, considering that they are cumulative in effect.
Due to the high incidence (80-90%) of food allergy/intolerance in patients with migraine headache, diagnosis and management begins with 1 week of careful avoidance of all foods to which the patient may be allergic or intolerant. All other possible allergens should be avoided. During this procedure, food-sensitive patients will exhibit a strong exacerbation of symptoms early in the week, followed by almost total relief by the end of the fast/modified diet. Once the patient is symptom-free, one new food is reintroduced (and eaten several times) each day while symptoms are carefully recorded. Some foods can be reintroduced on a 4 day cycle. Suspected foods (symptom onset ranges from 20 minutes to 2 weeks) are eliminated, and safe foods are rotated through a 4 day cycle. Once a symptom-free period of at least 6 months has been established, the 4 day rotation diet should no longer be necessary.
Avoid salt and acid-forming foods such as meat, cereal, bread, and grains. Also avoid fried foods and fatty and greasy foods.
Include almonds, almond milk, watercress, parsley, fennel, garlic, cherries and fresh pineapple in the diet.
Supplements
Magnesium and Calcium: Help to regulate muscular tone and to transmit nerve impulses throughout the body and to the brain. Low magnesium levels are known to set the stage for the events that can cause a migraine attack as well as a tension headache. Recommended dosage is 250-400 mg three times/day. See migraine.com
Vitamin B6: Increases mitochondrial energy. Recommended dosage is 25 mg three times/day mitochondrialdeseasenews.com
Melatonin: People who get migraine headaches usually have sleep issues. They might see the most improvement in migraine attack frequency or severity when treated with melatonin. Effective dosing appears to be 3 mg, preferably in the immediate release form and taken about 30 minutes before bed. See migraine.com
5-HTP: Increases serotonin and endorphin levels. 5-HTP gives better results over time Note: Better results are seen after 60 days of use than after 30. Seek the advice of your physician before using this supplement for advice on drug interactions. The recommended dosage is 100-200mg three times/day
Take a probiotic: Preliminary evidence suggests that encouraging a healthy balance of friendly bacteria (probiotics) over harmful bacteria (pathogens) could be beneficial to those suffering with migraines. migraine.com
Note: Individuals under a physician’s care should seek the advice of their physician before taking nutritional supplements or beginning a new exercise program.”
“The nutritional suggestions in this material are not offered to treat, mitigate or cure disease, and should not be used as a substitute for sound medical advice. This information is designed to be used in conjunction with the services of a trained, licensed healthcare practitioner.”
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