Migraine

A migraine is usually a severe headache felt as a throbbing pain at the front or side of the head. Some people also have other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting and increased sensitivity to light or sound.

Migraine is a symptom of periodic headaches which are usually unilateral (one sided) and often associated with nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity to noise and light. The attack of migraine is usually preceded by constriction (narrowing) of the cranial vessels (blood vessels supplying the brain and skull) and the headache commences with dilatation of these blood vessels. The attacks of migraine tend to be recurrent and the severity of attacks usually decreases as the patient ages. Migraine is a common health condition, affecting around one in every 5 women and around one in every 15 men. They usually begin in early adulthood.

There are several types of migraine including:

Migraine with aura – where there are warning signs before the migraine begins, such as seeing flashing lights
Migraine without aura – where the migraine occurs without warning signs
Migraine aura without headache, also known as silent migraine – where an aura or other migraine symptoms are experienced, but a headache doesn’t develop
Some people have migraines frequently, up to several times a week. Other people only have a migraine occasionally. It’s possible for years to pass between migraine attacks.

SYMPTOMS OF MIGRAINE

Migraine headaches usually begin gradually over a particular area on one side of the head. The pain then builds up in intensity over a couple of hours and spreads over a larger area of the head. The pain tends to subside gradually over a few hours in most of the cases but may even last up to a few days in some cases.

CAUSES OF MIGRAINE

The underlying causes of migraines are unknown. However, they are believed to be related to a mix of environmental and genetic factors. They run in families in about two-thirds of cases and rarely occur due to a single gene defect. While migraines were once believed to be more common in those of high intelligence, this does not appear to be true. A number of psychological conditions are associated, including depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, as are many biological events or triggers.

PREVENTION OF MIGRAINE

Preventive treatments of migraines include medications, nutritional supplements, lifestyle alterations, and surgery. Prevention is recommended in those who have headaches more than two days a week, or those with severe attacks that are not easily controlled.

If you suspect a specific trigger is causing your migraines, such as stress or a certain type of food, avoiding this trigger may help reduce your risk of experiencing migraines.

It may also help to maintain a generally healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, sleep and meals, as well as ensuring you stay well hydrated and limiting your intake of caffeine and alcohol.

CONVENTIONAL TREATMENT OF MIGRAINE

These include:

Painkillers – including over-the-counter medications such as paracetamol and ibuprofen
Triptans – medications that can help reverse the changes in the brain that may cause migraines
Anti-emetics – medications often used to reduce nausea and vomiting

HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT

Homeopathic treatment is targeted towards UPROOTING THE DISEASE and ensuring health with no side effects. For prescribing to an individual, a PLAN OF TREATMENT is followed which involves:

GETTING THOROUGH UNDERSTANDING OF CASE which includes complete case taking (analyzing patient as an individual) along with patient history and family history
DIAGNOSIS OF PATIENT AND DISEASE
INDIVIDUAL ASSESSMENT OF THE CASE
PRESCRIBING THE MOST SUITABLE INDIVIDUAL CONSTITUTIONAL REMEDY