Migraines

A migraine is a vascular headache that involves the excessive dilation or contraction of the brain's blood vessels. There are two types of migraine, common and classsic.

Migraines

The common migraine occurs slowly, producing a throbbing pain that may last for two to seventy-two hours. The pain is severe and is often centered at the temple or behind one ear. Alternatively, it can begin at the back of the head and spread to one entire side of the head. Migraine comes from the Greek word hemikrania, which means 'half a skull'.

A classic migraine is similar to a common migraine, but it is preceded by a set of symptoms referred to as an aura, which can consist of speech disorders, weakness and disturbances in the senses of vision and/or smell.

Migraines are a relatively common disorder, affecting about 10 percent of the population. More women than men (ratio of 3:1) suffer from migraine headaches. There are a number of triggers that have been identified in initiating migraines:

(a) Injury to head or spine resulting in maladjustment

(b) Changes in barometric pressure

(c) Sudden changes in weather, particularly thunderstorms or hot dry winds

(d) Stress - emotions and noise

(e) Infrequent meals, resulting in hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)

(f) Fluctuations in hormonal levels - drops in estrogen levels, particular prior to menstruation

(g) Infections - viral or bacterial

(h) Food allergy or dietary amines - food allergy and intolerance has been identified as a precipitating factor in 80-90% of cases

(i) High toxicity levels in the body - such as with constipation or liver overload

(j) Mineral deficiencies, such as magnesium & iron

Foods that contribute to migraines

The following foods have been implicated in a number of clinical studies as potentially active in migraine progression. Foods such as:

MSG - found in KFC, Chinese takeaways and the flavour sachets in products, such as instant noodles
Also cheese
Chocolate
Alcohol
Canned meats
Eggplant
Figs
Sausage/salami

These all contain vasoactive amines, such as beta-phenylethylamine and tyramine, which cause vasoconstriction, either directly or indirectly, through the liberation of catecholamines. Enzymes that detoxify these amines have a significantly lower level of action in migraine sufferers.

Other contributing factors include food chemicals, exhaustion, sleeping problems, drug interactions and tricyclic antidepressants.

Natural supplements can help

Fish oils, turmeric and ginger may alleviate headaches through hormonally controlling inflammation and regulating the formation of inflammatory eicosanoids. Turmeric and ginger act as strong antioxidants and reduce vascular inflammation. Nutritional support for the neuromuscular system is essential.

Swanson in 1988 proposed that 'low magnesium levels in the body may be a predisposing factor in many cases of migraine'. Various studies have proven magnesium's ability to work closely with taurine in dampening the hyperexcititation required to initiate a migraine. Because of this we recommend magnesium supplementation to all migraine sufferers.

Ideal health has set protocols and supplements designed to treat migraines. Please contact us for further information.