Migraines: How to Reduce Severity and Frequency

Migraines are severe headaches usually and most often occurring in only one area of the head. Associated with symptoms of seeing spots before the eyes, vomiting or nausea, and even abdominal cramps in isolated cases. The cause of these debilitating headaches is still being researched. Thought to be brought on by anything from certain food reactions such as cheese, and chocolate, to extreme stress and tension related. These granddaddy of all headaches can last for hours and hours to days.

If you suffer from migraine headaches, you certainly are not alone. About 16 million other Americans suffer from migraines. A migraine can stop you dead in your tracks and cause you to wonder if your head is trying to pop right off your shoulders. I will never forget the day I realized my afternoon headaches were a stepping stone to migraines. One day after a mid-afternoon break at the office, I suddenly became nauseous with abdominal cramps to boot. I ran to the restroom to vomit and while bent over the toilet, this excruciating pain rushed from deep down in my intestinal tract all the way up to the back of my head. I thought I was dying! A friend drove me to the ER and after a short question and answer session with the ER doctor, the diagnosis was obvious. I was suffering from a severe migraine headache. He prescribed some medication for the pain and sent me home.

After a couple of days of rest and relaxation I decided to find out more about these headaches and what I could do to stop them.

Considering the two major, thought to be causes, food related and stress related, I discovered that possibly by improving somewhat on my eating habits and taking steps to reduce the level of stress in my life I may not be able to eliminate them altogether, but, in conjunction with medical treatment I might be able to reduce their severity and frequency.

Michael A. Klaper, M.D., a nutritional medicine specialist in Pompano Beach, Florida, believes that most migraines are food-related. Dr. Klaper says that dairy products are the biggest trigger, followed by poultry and eggs, then chocolate, beef, and wheat products. Most likely you will discover your trigger by noticing when you get a migraine and which food you consumed as little as an hour before getting the headache. Dr. Klaper suggests trying to stick with a vegetarian based diet, avoiding artificial sweeteners, and food colorings. He also recommends avoiding tea, red wine and beverages containing tannin. Tannin is from a chemical group of astringent vegetable compounds, as the reddish compound that gives the tanning properties to oak bark or the white compound which occurs in large quantities of nut galls. Tannin is considered to be another major trigger.

Another way to reduce the severity of a migraine is to eat foods high in magnesium, such as spinach, and other dark leafy greens and soybeans. Magnesium relaxes muscles in the walls of blood vessels, including those running to the brain, which may help prevent migraines according to Dr. Klaper.

Your migraine and your friends migraine is not likely to be the same symptomatically. Therefore, requiring a different approach to finding a remedy of reduction in severity and frequency of episodes.

You may want to do some research into acupressure, aromatherapy, and herbal therapy in addition to the food therapy.

According to Michael Reed Gach, Ph. D., director of the Acupressure Institute in Berkely, California, the Gates of Consciousness points, GB20 can relieve pain from a tension headache. Los Angeles aromatherapist Michael Scholes, of Aromatherapy Seminars, suggests adding a drop of peppermint essential oil to any unscented facial lotion and putting the lotion under your nose or behind your ears. He says that inhaling the scent of peppermint essential oil can take the edge off any headache.

Herbal therapy can sometimes reduce the pain caused by a headache brought on by stress. Mary Bove, L.M., N.D., a naturopathic physician suggests drinking this soothing beverage. Blend one part each of dried wintergreen, willow bark, and meadowsweet (available in most health food stores). Pour one cup of boiling water over a teaspoon of this mixture, steep for ten minutes, strain, then cool before drinking.

As for me, the food-related therapy proved to be most helpful. You may have to try several remedies before finding the one for you. Remember to always consult your physician before trying any natural remedy in conjunction with medical treatment.

Sources:

Random House College Dictionary
New Choices In Natural Healing: copyright 1995