Migraine Disease and Its Ayurvedic Management

A migraine is a chronic headache that may convert into a serious problem. A migraine can cause severe pain that is pulsating in nature and headache may affect half of the head. Migraine attacks can last for 2 to 72 hours and this severe pain interferes with your daily routine. Symptoms of migraine may include vomiting, nausea, and sensitivity to sound, smell, or light, etc.

What are the Causes of Migraine Disease?

• The basic causes of migraines are not known. However, a mix of some factors including environmental and genetic factors are assumed to play a major role in causing migraine.
• Irregularities in brain chemicals can cause a migraine problem. So, variations in the brainstem and its cooperation with the trigeminal nerve are the major pathway to cause pain.

There are Various Triggers that can Cause Migraine

1. Hormonal Changes

• Mainly in women, fluctuation in the level of estrogen before or during menstrual periods, pregnancy and menopause, work as a trigger to produce headache.
• Hormone replacement therapy and hormonal medicines, such as oral contraceptives, they also increase the risk of migraine.

2. Diet

This includes drinks like alcohol, especially wine, and a large intake of caffeine (coffee) and food include aged cheese, salty and processed foods that might trigger migraine.

3. Stress

Increased workload and stress can cause migraine.

4. Sensitivity Reaction

Bright lights, loud sounds, strong smells can trigger migraine in many people.

5. Sleep Disorder

Getting too much sleep or missing sleep can trigger a migraine.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Migraine Disease?

The signs and symptoms of this disease usually proceed through four stages that include prodrome, aura, attack, and postdrome.  Everyone who has migraines does not go through all these stages.

1. Prodrome

This stage arises before the occurrence of migraine. The signs and symptoms that give the signal of an upcoming migraine, include :-

• Mood changes
• Increased appetite
• Constipation
• Excessive thirst and urination
• Excessive yawning

2. Aura

The second stage is an aura, its symptoms are usually visual but can also be accompanied with other disturbances like :-

• Loss of vision
• Tingling or prickling in an arm or leg
• Difficulty in speaking
• Hearing sounds or music

3. Attack

The third stage is migraine attacks which usually last for two to 72 hours. Migraine symptoms vary from person to person.

And the symptoms are :-

• The pain that usually occurs on one side of your head,
• Throbbing and pulsating pain.
• Sensitivity to sound, smell, light, and touch.
• Nausea

4. Post-Drome

The fourth and the last stage which occurs after a migraine attack, in which you might feel weakened, frustrated and washed out for one or two days. The immediate head movement might cause pain in this stage.

How to Diagnose Migraine Disease?

We can diagnose migraine disease on the basis of signs and symptoms. The laboratory tests (Neuroimaging) are not necessary to diagnose migraine disease but may be required to find other reasons of headache in those patients whose diagnosis and history do not confirm the presence of migraine.

Management of Migraine Disease by Ayurveda

As per Ayurveda, you can manage this disorder as follows :–

• Improving the nervous system
• Increases concentration and relaxes the mind
• Strengthening the body
• Improving the retention ability
• Improving memory

Ayurvedic Aspects of Migraine Disease

• According to Ayurvedic aspect migraine is referred to as “Shirashool”. Migraine caused due to three doshas of the body that are Vata, Pitta and Kapha Dosha. Mainly Pitta is involved in the cause of migraine.
• Planet Ayurveda provides the best and effective herbal medicines for the treatment of Migraine disease. These medicines are pure, free from chemicals, easy to use and have no side effects.
• Products offered by Planet Ayurveda to treat migraine are Ashwagandha Capsules, Medhya Churna, Arogyavardini Vati, Pitta Balance, and Brahmi Capsules.

Product Description

1. Ashwagandha Capsules

These capsules contain extract Ashwagandha herb (Withania somnifera) which is a traditional medicine with various health benefits. It can reduce anxiety and stress, increase fertility and testosterone level in men and even promote brain function.

Dosage – 1 capsule twice daily with water, after meals.

2. Medhya Churna

Medhya Churna is consist of various herbs that are Vacha (Acorus Calamus),  Ajmoda (Carum roxburghianum), Shwet jeerak (Cuminum cyminum), Sonth (Zingiber officinale),  Ashwagandha  (Withania somnifera). It is useful to improve the functions of the nervous system, enhance the concentration level, and also reduces the stress.

Dosage- 1 pinch or 1 gm. of Churna two times daily.

3. Arogyavardini Vati

It is an effective herbal formulation consist of various herbs such as Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), Chitrakmool (Plumbago Zeylanica), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Amlaki (Emblica officinalis), etc. These tablets improve digestion, helps to strengthen the body and treat many of symptoms of migraine.

Dosage – 1 tablet twice daily with water, after meals.

4. Pitta Balance

This herbal formulation is a mixture of some herbs those are Akik (Agate Gemstone), Praval Pishti (Coral calcium), Jahar Mohra Pishti (an ayurvedic calcium compound), Kamdhudha ras (an ayurvedic calcium compound), Giloy Satva (Tinospora Cordifolia), Mukta Pishti (Pearl Calcium). Pitta Balance Capsules help to balance Pitta dosha in the body. Pitta directs all the metabolic functions in our body.

Dosage – 1 capsule twice daily with water, after meals.

5. Brahmi Capsules

These capsules contain pure extract of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri). These capsules improve memory, reduce anxiety and stress. It is also used to treat epilepsy and improve immunity.

Dosage – 1 capsule twice daily with water.

Home Remedies for Migraine

1. Magnesium

Magnesium deficiency causes headache and migraine. Some studies show magnesium oxide supplements help to prevent migraines with aura. You can get magnesium in dark-green veggies, sesame seeds, and nuts, etc.

2. Ginger

Ginger is known to reduce nausea caused by various conditions, including migraine.

3. Vitamin B2

It’s also named riboflavin, and natural sources of Vitamin B2 are cheese, milk, chicken, and fish. It may help you to prevent migraine.

4. Sleep

You should manage 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night and try to sleep and wake up at the same time every day. Getting too much or too short sleep can trigger headache and migraine.

5. Yoga and Pranayam

Regular Yoga and Pranayam sessions can reduce the migraine attack. Yoga meditation, breathing exercises, and body positions help to improve health and well-being.

6. Apply Ice

Put an ice pack on your forehead and neck to get relief from pain.  You can also use a frozen gel pack or a cloth which is soaked in cold water.

7. Dark and Quiet Room

Loud noises and bright light can cause headache and may worsen it. So, lying down somewhere in a dark, cool, and quiet place helps you to get relief from migraine.

Complications of Migraine Disease

If not treated on time then mild migraine can be converted into a migraine attack. Other complications it includes are epilepsy, a stroke, mental health issue, and anxiety, etc.