all of us have suffered from headache at some point in time, varying in intensity from a minor pain to unbearable throbbing agony. What most of us do is pop a pill and lie down, waiting for it to pass. While a pill may provide relief in most cases, regular reliance on such medication is not recommended. If you suffer from frequent and severe headaches, consult a headache specialist (yes, there are doctors who actually specialise in this most common of disorders) and ensure you get prompt and correct treatment. While a majority of headaches can be attributed to migraine, either minor or major, there are a few that can be caused by an abnormality of the brain, and it pays to rule out the possibility.
One of
the most
common forms
of headache,
migraine can be
prevented by
staying away
from certain
triggers
 
If you suffer from
frequent and severe
headaches, consult a
headache specialist and
ensure you get prompt
and correct treatment.


How to identify migraine

Migraine pain is throbbing or pulsating, and intensified
by routine physical activity such as coughing, straining,
or lowering the head. 'It begins in a specific area on one
side of the head, then spreads to the neck and builds in
intensity over one or two hours and then gradually subsides.

It lasts up to 24 hours, and some times even for
several days,' explains Mumbai-based Dr. K.
Ravishankar, who runs a private headache and migraine
clinic, and two others at the Jaslok and Lilavati hospitals.

Causes

Migraine is an inherited vulnerability of the brain, where
a dilation of blood vessels causes inflammation and devastating pain. It can be caused as a result of sensitivity to various triggers (refer to the table for triggering factors). Frequent headaches could also be due to lack of Vitamins C, E, and B-complex and minerals like magnesium.

Afflicted age group

While nine out of every 10 persons suffers from one or
the other form of headache, children above 10 and
women up to 35 years are most susceptible to migraine.

Symptoms

Migraine pain is usually accompanied with nausea,
vomiting, acidity, stomach upset, mental fuzziness, fatigue, photophobia and phonophobia (sensitivity to light and sound respectively), sleep disturbances, and visual
disturbances that appear as flashing lights, zigzag lines,etc


How is it diagnosed?

Currently there are no tests available anywhere in the
world for the diagnosis of migraine; one has to undergo
a CT scan or MRI to rule out the chances of a brain tumour or an infection before starting treatment.

Recommended treatment

Unfortunately migraine cannot be completely treated,
and you might have to live with the condition unless
you can identify what triggers it off and take steps to
prevent it from occurring. However newer medications,
drug therapy and stress reduction are some of the better
ways to reduce its frequency and severity.

According to Dr. K. Ravishankar, besides controlling the
triggers that cause migraine, the best way to prevent
such attacks is by
  • Practising relaxation techniques such as yoga,
  • Maintaining a regular exercise regime,
  • Sleeping well to keep yourself energised through the day, and
  • Taking simple preventive measures in terms of diet and lifestyle changes.

Migraine-fighting foods

  1. Eat three well-balanced meals a day to get your share of nutrients.
  2. Eat regular small meals at frequent intervals. Don’t skip meals or starve yourself, as hypoglycaemia can be one of the triggers of migraine.
  3. Drinking 2 to 3 glasses of water at a stretch is
    recommended.
  4. Include foods rich in magnesium like whole grains, dark green leafy vegetables, nuts, wheat germ, fish, etc. This mineral has long been valued in treating migraines because it acts as a muscle relaxant.
  5. Eat a teaspoon of chopped ginger everyday as it
    decreases the frequency and intensity of migraines.
  6. Add fresh garlic bulbs to your salads. Garlic is an
    anticoagulant that helps to maintain normal blood
    circulation.
  7. Lemon tea helps soothe a headache and relieve other symptoms.
  8. Avoid processed foods that contain MSG, nitrates, artificial sweeteners and food additives.
  9. Include calcium rich foods like soya bean and its
    products, dark green leafy vegetables like spinach,
    broccoli, cauliflower, peas, and milk and milk products
    to reduce the severity of the pain. Minerals like
    calcium and magnesium work together to help
    prevent headaches, especially those related to

 


Tragerring Factors

Migraines can be caused as a reaction
to certain foods, or due to other
natural and behavioural factors.
Because there are such a variety of
triggers you could be forgiven for
thinking that life in general is enough
to give you a headache! It is thus
important to try to discover the
triggers that affect you so that you
can avoid them, or at least have
advance warning of an attack.

  1. Physical: Fatigue or overexertion.
  2. Psychological: Any kind of stress, anxiety, excessive tension or worry
  3. Hormonal: In women before and during menstruation, or while on oral contraceptives or hormone therapy.
  4. Environmental: Changes such as weather changes, altitude, time zone changes, etc.
  5. Dietary: Consumption of certain foods as discussed below, or fasting or skipping meals, especially breakfast.

    Foods that contain caffeine (coffee, chocolate), Mono Sodium Glutamate (MSG; found in Chinese food), and nitrates (processed foods like cheese, pickles, hot dogs).

    Other foods including most citrus fruits such as oranges, pineapples, and lemons; and nuts and peanuts.

    Artificial sweeteners found in diet foods or diet
    sodas and drinks.

    Yeast-containing products such as fresh breads and doughnuts and fermented foods.

    Dairy foods like milk, yoghurt, cheese, whipped cream and sour cream.

    Alcohol (red wine, beer, hard liquor)
  6. Other Factors: Lack of sleep, exposure to sunlight, bright lights or unusual and strong smells like paint thinner, perfumes and flowers.
 
 
Migraine is more common among children above10
and women
upto 35 years
 

  Dos and Don’ts of Migraine
               menstrual cycle.
   Dos
  • If you get a severe migraine, splash cold water on the face, drink a cup of Honey and Ginger Tea (recipe follows) and then lie down in a dark room till the attack passes
  • Regularise your lifestyle
  • Work in a pleasant atmosphere
  • Ensure you get adequate sleep
  • Practice regular bowel habits
  • Take regular breaks from your daily routine
   Don’ts
  • Do not overwork yourself physically or mentally
   Avoid
  • Bright lights
  • Loud noises
  • Cold drafts
  • Being in the sun for too long
  • Overstraining your eyes
  • Long working hours in ill-ventilated rooms
  • Self medication

    If you get a migraine attack despite taking all these
    precautions, sleep it off in a dark room. Try this Honey Lemon Ginger Tea for further relief.
Honey Lemon Ginger Tea

A soothing decoction for the migraine-prone

Serves 2

1 small lemon
1 tablespoon peeled and freshly sliced ginger
2 cups boiling hot water Honey to taste

1. Wash the lemon and cut into thin slices.
2. Place the lemon and ginger slices in a small teapot.
3. Pour boiling hot water into the teapot.
4. Allow the tea to infuse for a few minutes.
5. Sweeten with honey and serve warm.