By Guest Author Dr. Mukesh Batra
Migraine is a complex syndrome. It affects millions of people worldwide. What distinguishes the disorder, from other types of headache, is periodic or episodic ache, or pain. Migraine usually affects people in their mid-20s, or 30s, especially ‘meticulous-achievers.’ Interestingly, it is also ‘common’ in children.
Migraine attacks have an abrupt to gradual, or accentuated, elevation — it affects people more towards the early hours of the morning, especially during weekends. It can interfere with one’s work, productivity and also leisure. It can ‘blight’ a holiday, or vacation, just as much as it ‘wobbles’ the fair sex before, or during, menses. Just think of it — even a minor, unintentional thud on the head, or exposure to cold, dietetic excess, missing a meal, or increased emotional conflicts, for instance, can cause migraine — aside from stress, tension, frustration and unresolved emotions to feelings of guilt.
Complex Syndrome
The typical migraine pain usually starts in the blood vessels of the scalp and face, as also the arteries of the brain. While the blood vessels closer to the surface of the skin may sometimes appear dilated at the peak of a migraine attack, with swelling and local sensitivity in the area, some pressure over the painful area may temporarily relieve the ache.
Some of the common symptoms of migraine are a hurting headache, with vertigo and loss of ‘sensation’ in one’s hands. There may also be mood swings — from excitement to depression and vice versa, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting may be followed by diarrhea and excess urination.
Other Types of Headache
Tension headache is one form of headache. It occurs when a person experiences an unusual amount of stress, on a regular basis. The pain may be mild-to-moderate, lasting for a day or two. Some people who experience tension headaches may feel they have migraine, although in reality their pain is clearly related to stress. The most common symptoms of tension headache are dizziness, sleeplessness and lack of concentration.
Cluster headache is the most severe form. Symptoms are fear, restlessness, pain in the eye and sleeplessness. This form of headache affects people in the 20-40 age-group. The ache tends to occur 3-4 times a day and may last for 3-4 months. Cluster headaches are also most likely to occur during a specific time, every day.
Mixed headache is a ‘mishmash’ of tension and migraine headache. The aches are sudden; they do not extend for long periods. For most part, the pain is felt when the individual is under extreme stress; it stops when the individual is free of stress, or relaxed.
Healing with Homeopathy
Homeopathy evidences that migraine is a personality ‘disorder’ — it, therefore, needs to be treated in tune with the unique needs of the individual in question. There are dozens of homeopathic remedies that are useful; they provide enduring relief from migraine, depending upon one’s symptoms, the individual’s temperament, emotional and other factors.
An observational study was conducted at Bristol Homeopathic Hospital, UK. The study included 6,500 consecutive patients with over 23,000 attendances in a 6-year period. 70 per cent of follow-up patients reported improved health, most of them referring to major improvement. The best treatment responses were reported in migraine, childhood eczema, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and menopausal problems. Similar patient-reported outcomes were reported from four other homeopathic hospitals in the UK.
It needs to be, however, emphasised, that migraine is far too complex a disorder for self-treatment, or ‘self-healing.’ It is best treated at the clinic by a professional homeopath.
Self-Help
- Get good sleep for 6-8 hours every day. Studies have shown that people who sleep well — in a dark, quiet room — are better equipped to prevent migraine ‘attacks’
- Eat regular meals; skipping meals or irregular snacking can trigger migraine
- .Exercise regularly; exercises and relaxation techniques, such as yoga, go a long way in easing migraine.
- Avoid foods that may trigger migraine ‘attacks’ — like old cheese, alcohol, chocolate, yeast, stale meats, monosodium glutamate (MSG), red wine, soybean and also coffee.
Related Article: Can High Heels Trigger Migraine?
Dr. Mukesh Batra is the Founder and CMD – Dr Batra’s Healthcare. Dr Batra is responsible for the astounding growth of homeopathy in India, Dr Batra has not only set up a corporate empire but extended the medical benefits of this safe and sure system throughout the country equally through path breaking commercial as well as charitable initiatives.
PUT THAT CHEESE BURGER DOWN 