Migraine Headache is a common condition that affect women more than men. Seventy five percent of migraine affects people between the ages of fifteen and fifty-five who have a family history of them.
Symptoms of headaches are vomiting, numbness, dizziness and sensitivity to light and sound. All types of headache can really disrupt an individual’s daily life. Maintaining work, home and social life can be a challenge and the stressful anticipation of lengthy headache pain itself can trigger a prolonged headache.
There are many effective alternatives to treatment migraine headaches and it doesn’t involve prescription or non-prescription drugs:
1. Acupuncture
Acupuncture are another form of alternative medical approaches that one may seek for reduced chronic pain in the neck and shoulder areas and associated headache, with the effects lasting for months. Acupuncture works by stimulating key points in the body which help regulate blood flow in small blood vessel that get constricted during migraines. Acupuncture also regulates serotonin levels which can restrict blood vessels, releases endorphins to provide pain relief and relaxes tense muscles
2. Massage
Massage is a great way to reduce stress and relieve tension. The massage in the back of the head, neck, shoulders, and arms is a good method of headache relief. For some people, massage may provide relief from headaches caused by muscle tension.
3 Physical activities
Physical Activities such as jog, swim, meditation, yoga, may help to fight headache that is due to stress. Physical Activities will make improvement in your blood circulation and will release you from tension. Thus your body will be relaxed.
4. Relaxation and proper breathing
Any form of stress and depression can lead to muscle tightness (muscle tension) and cause migraine headaches. Try to find those moments where you can relax. Using relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga, play some soothing music, and take several deep breaths can all help reduce stress, aid in relaxation, and help reduce the strength and pain of a migraine.
5. Drink more water
Dehydration may also cause migraine or headache triggers. Since this is the prime cause for muscle contraction, you need to drink at least eight glasses of water to solve this problem. Drinking plenty of water not only gives relief from headache but also maintains your body.
6. Dietary changes for migraines headaches
It is important to identify and reduce food-related headache triggers. This can be done by maintaining a careful diary of headaches and eating habits.
– Limit large amount of Alcohol, Caffeine and cola beverages ,
– quitting smoking
– Avoid Foods that contain nitrates, such as hot dogs and lunch meats
– Avoid Foods that contain MSG (monosodium glutamate), a flavor enhancer found in fast foods, Broths, seasonings, and spices
– Avoid Foods that contain tyramine, such as aged cheeses, soy products, fava beans, hard sausages, Smoked fish, and Chianti wine
– Avoid sweetener aspartame and saccharin
– Avoid trans fat and saturated fat because they contain arachidonic acid which increases blood clotting which has been associated with migraines.
– Avoid avocados, pineapples, beans, peas, Figs, raisins, papayas, bananas and red plums
– Limit large amount of salt will get a headache.
6. Nutritional vitamin and supplements
– Riboflavin
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) has been studied using twice daily dose of 200 mg. Ingesting a vitamin B-12 can decrease the length of a migraine headache and sometimes prevent the onset of migraine. Riboflavin is considered safe to use in pregnancy and is a common alternative treatment for headaches during pregnancy. One drawback is that riboflavin can take several months to produce the maximal effect.
– Magnesium
Magnesium is a mineral necessary to our diet. It can also be used to treat and prevent headaches. Injection of 1,000 mg of magnesium by a physician can terminate an acute migraine headache within minutes. Magnesium deficiency has also been found to cause migraines. Magnesium can also be taken orally in doses of 400 mg to 600 mg per day. Magnesium (500 mg per day) increases muscle relaxation. Too much magnesium can cause diarrhea.
– Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Omega 3 fatty acids are thought to reduce the frequency of migraine attacks. Good sources are fatty acids such as mackerel, salmon, trout, sardines, seedstuna, walnuts and flax Take 1 tablespoon or 5,000mg in capsules of either flax or fish oil.
According to the research, gamma-linolenic (GLA) and alpha-linolenic (ALA) fatty acid supplements reduced the severity, frequency and duration of total migraine attacks by 86 percent. During the six-month study, 22 percent of the 168 patients no longer had migraine attacks, and 90 percent experienced less nausea and vomiting.
– Co-Q10
Co-Q10 has been studied using daily dose of 150 mg. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a supplement usually recommended to protect heart health, may also help treat and prevent migraine and variety of different types of headaches like constant headache, cluster headache, severe headache and other such headaches.
– Niacin
Niacin also known as vitamin B3 – causes vasodilation, meaning it improves circulation. Constricted blood vessels are believed to be a feature of migraines and cluster headaches, which cause extreme pain in the forehead region or over one eye.
– Folic Acid
Folic acid supplements reduce this excess homocysteine, which is why scientists think taking these vitamins helps to cut the number of migraines that people suffer. Injection of folic acid (15 mg) in one study achieved total relief of acute headache within one hour in 60 percent of patients.
7. Essential oils and aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a form of herbal medicine, in which healing effects are ascribed to the aromatic compounds in essential oils and other plant extracts. Aromatherapy has the ability to heal and balance the body, mind and spirit. Some of the essential oils commonly recommended for migraine aromatherapy are lavender, peppermint, rosemary, eucalyptus, Jasmine, Melissa, sandalwood, clary sage, ginger, ylang-ylang, basil, marjoram, and chamomile.