By Neeta Jain
Headache, one of the most common afflictions, affects everybody, irrespective of age, sex and socio-economic status. It is widely believed to be an outcome of stress—psychological, physical or weather related. However, researches show that there are hosts of reasons from food habits to hormonal changes that cause headaches. A peculiar kind of headache, which affects only one side of the head with intense throbbing or a pulsing sensation, sometimes accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound is called Migraine. Its attack generally lasts from hours to days and the pain sometimes is so severe that it disrupts the daily routine. There are silent migraines too, when one does not feel acute pain, but other symptoms do occur.
Approximately 30 to 40 percent of individuals receive warning symptoms that occur several hours or even days prior to the onset of migraine. These early symptoms can include muscle stiffness, especially in the neck, mood changes or irritability, food cravings, fatigue, constipation, diarrhoea, or frequent urination.
Some migraines are preceded or accompanied by sensory warning (aura), such as flashes of light, blind spots, an unpleasant smell, confusing thoughts or tingling in one side of the body like in arm or leg.
Approximately 20 percent of individuals who have migraines experience such auras, though these individuals may not have an aura before every headache. Many people who have migraines describe the aftermath like a hangover. It can involve depression or a sense of euphoria, or difficulties with concentration or thinking.
The most common trigger is remaining hungry for a long period of time that results in low blood sugar, a major reason for migraine. Then there are certain foods, to which one may be allergic. Dehydration (lack of water in the body) due to inadequate intake of fluids through the day, lack of sleep, exposure to bright light, shock or worries, loud noise, weather changes, especially very dry atmosphere can also trigger migraines; and last but not the least hormonal changes in the body.
Have a regular sleep schedule: Too little sleep and too much sleep have both been implicated as migraine triggers. Disturbance in the regular sleep schedule seems to trigger headaches in many migraine sufferers.
Limit alcohol intake: Alcohol can cause migraines in some people, may be due to a triggering content called tyramine in it.
Manage or avoid stress: Stress has long been known to trigger both tension headaches and migraines. Use relaxation exercises, such as meditation, deep breathing, yoga, and prayer.
Control your exposure to intense stimuli. Bright or flashing lights can sometimes precipitate migraines. Wear Sunglasses, some migraine sufferers find that blue or green-tinted lenses are helpful. Rest your eyes periodically when watching TV or using your computer.
Regular exercises: Regular exercise seems to reduce the frequency of migraines for many people, possibly because it helps reduce stress and boosts your mood. One of the simplest, most effective tools for preventing a migraine or headache attack is a nice long walk. Walking helps to regulate the flow of energy in the body, and loosen up the muscles. Walking is also an excellent stress buster. Therefore, people who suffer from migraine headaches can help themselves to decrease the frequency, duration, and severity of their headaches by taking a walk daily.
Introduce some humidity: Dry air can increase chances of a migraine due to the number of positively charged ions in the atmosphere. Dry air often results by use of element-based room heaters during winter. Some water in a utensil is advised to be kept near the heater, or use humidifier. During hot summers too air is dry. Desert coolers act as good humidifiers.
Think twice before taking hormonal medications. Many women find that they are more likely to develop migraine and nausea before or during menstruation or during pregnancy or menopause, and scientists relate this with fluctuations in the body's estrogen levels. But any hormonal medicines should be taken only at the advice of the doctor.
Caffeine: Caffeine is a substance that dilates the capillaries in the brain. Because one of the precursors of the migraine is a constriction of capillaries, caffeine can be a remarkable tool for the prevention of migraine headaches. It is so effective that many traditional migraine medications have large doses of caffeine as one of their components. However, the paradox is that caffeine is also the cause of migraine headaches in many cases.
( The Article was first published in the monthly magazine of political affairs the ' Lokayat' (October, 2013 issue)
Headache, one of the most common afflictions, affects everybody, irrespective of age, sex and socio-economic status. It is widely believed to be an outcome of stress—psychological, physical or weather related. However, researches show that there are hosts of reasons from food habits to hormonal changes that cause headaches. A peculiar kind of headache, which affects only one side of the head with intense throbbing or a pulsing sensation, sometimes accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound is called Migraine. Its attack generally lasts from hours to days and the pain sometimes is so severe that it disrupts the daily routine. There are silent migraines too, when one does not feel acute pain, but other symptoms do occur. Approximately 30 to 40 percent of individuals receive warning symptoms that occur several hours or even days prior to the onset of migraine. These early symptoms can include muscle stiffness, especially in the neck, mood changes or irritability, food cravings, fatigue, constipation, diarrhoea, or frequent urination.
Some migraines are preceded or accompanied by sensory warning (aura), such as flashes of light, blind spots, an unpleasant smell, confusing thoughts or tingling in one side of the body like in arm or leg.
Approximately 20 percent of individuals who have migraines experience such auras, though these individuals may not have an aura before every headache. Many people who have migraines describe the aftermath like a hangover. It can involve depression or a sense of euphoria, or difficulties with concentration or thinking.
The most common trigger is remaining hungry for a long period of time that results in low blood sugar, a major reason for migraine. Then there are certain foods, to which one may be allergic. Dehydration (lack of water in the body) due to inadequate intake of fluids through the day, lack of sleep, exposure to bright light, shock or worries, loud noise, weather changes, especially very dry atmosphere can also trigger migraines; and last but not the least hormonal changes in the body.
HOW TO MANAGE MIGRAINES?
Avoid problem foods and eat protective foods: Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and quality protein. Eat lots of dark green vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, and other leafy vegetables, as well as eggs, yogurt, and low-fat milk. These contain vitamin B which helps prevent migraines. Eat foods rich in magnesium, which relaxes blood vessels and ensures proper cell function. Magnesium rich foods include nuts like almonds, cashews, whole grains, wheat germ, soybeans, and various vegetables. Oily fish can prevent migraines. Don't skip meals, especially breakfast. Eat smaller, more frequent meals to avoid blood sugar swings. Drink lots of water to stay well hydrated.Have a regular sleep schedule: Too little sleep and too much sleep have both been implicated as migraine triggers. Disturbance in the regular sleep schedule seems to trigger headaches in many migraine sufferers.
Limit alcohol intake: Alcohol can cause migraines in some people, may be due to a triggering content called tyramine in it.
Manage or avoid stress: Stress has long been known to trigger both tension headaches and migraines. Use relaxation exercises, such as meditation, deep breathing, yoga, and prayer.Control your exposure to intense stimuli. Bright or flashing lights can sometimes precipitate migraines. Wear Sunglasses, some migraine sufferers find that blue or green-tinted lenses are helpful. Rest your eyes periodically when watching TV or using your computer.
Regular exercises: Regular exercise seems to reduce the frequency of migraines for many people, possibly because it helps reduce stress and boosts your mood. One of the simplest, most effective tools for preventing a migraine or headache attack is a nice long walk. Walking helps to regulate the flow of energy in the body, and loosen up the muscles. Walking is also an excellent stress buster. Therefore, people who suffer from migraine headaches can help themselves to decrease the frequency, duration, and severity of their headaches by taking a walk daily.
Introduce some humidity: Dry air can increase chances of a migraine due to the number of positively charged ions in the atmosphere. Dry air often results by use of element-based room heaters during winter. Some water in a utensil is advised to be kept near the heater, or use humidifier. During hot summers too air is dry. Desert coolers act as good humidifiers.
Think twice before taking hormonal medications. Many women find that they are more likely to develop migraine and nausea before or during menstruation or during pregnancy or menopause, and scientists relate this with fluctuations in the body's estrogen levels. But any hormonal medicines should be taken only at the advice of the doctor.
RECENT RESEARCHES
Magnesium: Researchers have found fairly strong correlation between magnesium deficiency and the onset of migraines, and regularly taking magnesium supplements may be beneficial for migraine sufferers. Fairly high doses of riboflavin (vitamin B2) also seem to be effective for some patients. Metabolic and hepatology studies also indicate that coenzyme or active vitamin B-6 also assists with protein and glucose metabolism as well as neurological transmissions.Caffeine: Caffeine is a substance that dilates the capillaries in the brain. Because one of the precursors of the migraine is a constriction of capillaries, caffeine can be a remarkable tool for the prevention of migraine headaches. It is so effective that many traditional migraine medications have large doses of caffeine as one of their components. However, the paradox is that caffeine is also the cause of migraine headaches in many cases.
( The Article was first published in the monthly magazine of political affairs the ' Lokayat' (October, 2013 issue)
