Anyone who has ever experienced a migraine headache will pursue all possibilities until they find a treatment that works. These headaches are normally localized to a specific area of the head. They are intensely painful and can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting and extreme sensitivity to light. They can last from a couple of hours to three days. In migraine headache sufferers, high amounts of serotonin are released, causing constriction of the arteries and vessels in the head. The rebound artery and vessel dilation causes the severe pain.
The most important rule for migraine headache relief is to recognize the early symptoms and treat them as soon as possible. Once a migraine has been allowed to develop, it is very difficult to harness the pain and discomfort. In order to prevent a migraine, changes in lifestyle should also be considered in order to avoid things that might trigger them. Sinus headaches, rebound and cluster headaches are different from migraines, yet they can develop into a migraine headache.
Allergies, dehydration, high blood pressure, hormone fluctuations, indigestion, a sluggish liver, thunderstorm fungal spores and certain foods can cause migraine headaches. Foods such as alcohol, aged cheese, chocolate, fermented foods, MSG, and red wine are common culprits because they are rich in substances that dilate the blood vessels in your brain. Oversleeping, sudden weight loss and caffeine withdrawal can also be common causes of developing a migraine headache.
Some people can only get migraine relief from prescription narcotic medication, such as codeine. There are also several prescription medications available that use the serotonin factor for migraine headache relief. However, the headache still needs to be interrupted at an early stage in order for the medicine to work. Aspirin or acetaminophen plus an anti-nausea medication will often give relief. Another alternative is vasoconstrictor drugs, combined with caffeine. The main drawback is that most of these headache medications can cause rebound headaches that can progress back into a migraine.
Holistic practitioners believe there are several remedies to relieve migraine headaches. They are also in agreement that it is imperative to act at the onset of the symptoms and not allow a migraine to develop into advanced stages. Many believe that migraines can be cured and prevented by water therapy, due to the brain and eye area experiencing dehydration, which develops into an inflammation. Keeping the body hydrated is always a good practice.
Valerian root made into a tea has been used for centuries to relieve migraine headaches. The herb feverfew is another natural therapy that will prevent a migraine or lessen its severity. This herb has been used for centuries as well but only since the 21st century have researchers understood that it reduces the secretion of serotonin. In addition, it reduces the production of prostaglandin, which is an inflammatory agent. Magnesium is another option as many people with frequent migraine headaches are deficient in magnesium in their brain tissues.
Many migraine headache sufferers find relief by mixing equal parts of licorice root and sucanat®, then adding ghee to make a paste. They take 1 teaspoon (5 ml) every hour until the headache subsides. Another option is to make a tea of crushed coriander seeds, with sugar to taste. Lemon juice in hot water, accompanied with a pinch of black salt is another successful remedy. Omega-3 fatty acids are an integral part of the brain and retina and are recommended for migraine sufferers. With any of these remedies, rinsing the head with alternating hot and cold water will help balance the constricting and dilating blood vessels and bring relief.