By Hazel Ketko

Migraine headaches are believed to be caused by disturbances in blood flow to the head, and by imbalances in brain chemicals, including serotonin. During a headache, serotonin levels drop causing neuropeptides to be released. (Neuropeptides are small protein-like molecules released and used by neurons to communicate with each other.) The released neuropeptides travel to the brain’s outer covering (meninges) where they cause blood vessels to become dilated and inflamed. The result is headache pain.

A tendency toward migraines often runs in families, and allergic factors seem to be involved.

Symptoms of Migraine Headaches

A typical episode of a migraine attack produces some or all of these symptoms:

• Moderate to severe pain, usually on one side of the head (but sometimes it may affect both sides)
• Vision disturbances that precede or accompany the headache
• Head pain with a pulsating or throbbing quality, which worsens with physical activity
• Nausea, sometimes accompanied by vomiting
• Sensitivity to light and sound

Migraine Triggers

A number of factors can trigger migraine headaches. For example:

• Hormonal Imbalance
• Excessive Intake of Certain Foods
• Nutritional Deficiencies
• Environmental Changes

Natural Remedies for Migraine Headaches

There is a host of allopathic medicines for treating migraines, such as Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), Triptans, and Ergots. While these medicines may be effective in treating migraines, they can also cause quite a few unwanted side-effects, such as dizziness, nausea, and muscle weakness.

If you want a more holistic and natural approach to control your migraines, below are suggestions of various natural remedies for migraine headaches, using herbs, nutritional supplements, and aromatherapy.

Nutritional Supplements

Nutritional supplements that seem to be effective in preventing and treating migraines include vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) and vitamin B6, magnesium, and essential fatty acids.

Herbs

Beneficial herbs for migraines include ginkgo, ginger, evening primrose oil, and feverfew. Note, however, that pregnant women should not take feverfew because of a remote possibility that it might trigger miscarriage. Women who are nursing should not use it either because of the possibility of passing the herb to infants in breast milk.

Aromatherapy

Essential oils that are effective in relieving migraine headaches include peppermint, lavender, rosemary, and Roman chamomile.

You can either dilute one to two drops of any of the above oils in a carrier oil and use it to massage your temples, or add two drops each of two of the above oils to a cold compress.

Diet

Certain foods can trigger migraine headaches. Therefore avoid such foods. In particular, avoid foods that contain:

Tyramine: Tyramine is an amino acid that can be found in cheese, chocolate, coffee, cold cuts, smoked fish, alcohol and wine, vinegar, sour cream, sausages, fresh baked goods made with yeast, lima beans, Italian beans, lentils, snow peas, navy beans, pinto beans, peanuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds.

Nitrates: Nitrates can be found in cured and processed meats, such as hot dogs, bacon, and salami.

MSG: Many processed foods and Asian foods contain MSG. Because of all the bad press of MSG as a main cause of migraine headaches, many food companies no longer list it on their product labels. Common additives that are hidden sources of MSG include “Hydrolyzed protein”, “Autolyzed yeast”, “Calcium caseinate”, and “Sodium caseinate”.

Other foods to avoid: If you are prone to migraines, also avoid caffeine, alcohol and sugary foods.

Instead, try to base your diet on simple natural foods, and try to include sources of magnesium and essential fatty acids in your diet. Sources of magnesium include green leafy vegetables, beans, nuts, bananas, and wheat germ. Sources of EFAs include fish such as salmon and mackerel.

For more detailed information on natural remedies for migraine headaches, visit Natural Remedies for Migraine Headaches

Learn more about how to use herbs and other natural remedies for your health: Natural Health Remedies 4U.com

Treat, Prevent, Control & Stop Your Pain Now!

Dr. Jason Chen of Creative Chakra Spa, Californias’ leading holistic spa – gives advice on how to relieve a migraine Headache Naturally.

Below are a few techniques that I have come across which can help ease the pain of a migraine headache.  Not all techniques work for all migraine sufferers.  While some find comfort in cold, at least as many are more uncomfortable in the presence of cold.  The same is true of heat used for pain relief—for some it helps, for others it makes the pain worse.

Apply a compress, hot or cold, to point on the head where the pain is most severe.  This is frequently on the temple where

a large artery runs or in front of the ear, another arterial locale. For those who feel their migraine headache pain “stabbing into the back of the eye” a damp cloth (warm or cool) laid over the eyes often provides relief.  As a side benefit, covering the eyes in this manner also eases the discomfort of photosensitivity for many migraine sufferers.

Taking a hot or cold shower with the water directed at the head and neck is another method to try, as is taking a warm

(neither hot nor cold) bath.  The latter is further enhanced with the use of appropriate aromatherapy techniques.

Some patients find relief by alternating hot and cold cloths at the point where the migraine pain is most intense. 

Sometimes hot and cold used simultaneously can ease the pain as well.  One may apply a cold compress on their forehead

while at the same time soaking their feet in a container of warm water.

It is not common for most migraine headach relief seekers to be simultaneously sensitive to both hot and cold, but it something one can look out for as it is not impossible to happen.

A migraineur’s lifestyle impacts the severity and frequency of the attacks and lifestyle changes, like those mentioned below can prevent migraine recurrence. 

Sleep:

Migraineurs need to learn how much sleep they need and make sure they do not get too little sleep or too much more than they need.  Patients who do not get enough sleep during the workweek who try to make up for it over the weekend may trigger a headache.

Exercise:

Physical exertion in moderation is good for everyone, including migraineurs.  Establishing a regular exercise routine, at least 20-40 minutes of physical activity a minimum of three times a week, relieves stress that triggers headaches and exercise-induced endorphins are a natural analgesic.

Stress Management:

Migraineurs are susceptible to attacks during periods of high stress.  If stress is unavoidable, they should build time for stress relief into their routine to prevent a headache.  Good stress management techniques for migraineurs are massage, exercise, adequate sleep and a healthy diet.

Eating:

Migraineurs should eat regular meals at roughly the same time daily and not skip a meal unless it is an emergency.  A good, healthy breakfast goes a long way in preventing headaches.

The most important thing is to be consistent with any lifestyle change.  Migraineurs need regular behavior patterns and they must be applied on weekends and holidays, not just during the week.  Getting out of sync two days a week by sleeping in, skipping meals, or staying up late defeats the purpose of lifestyle changes and upsets the balance created by having a pattern the rest of the week.

Treat, Prevent and Control Your Pain Now!

1) Migraines are not real (all in the head, an overreaction to a normal headache, etc.).

Not true.  Migraines are a biologic primary headache disorder.  Even migraine pain is not confined to the head, though that is generally where it is worst.

2) Migraines have a known cause.

Sadly, no.  There have been several interesting theories put forward in the last decade, but no single, definitive biological cause of migraines has been identified thus far.

3) All migraineurs have the same symptoms.

No, they don’t.  This is one of the things that makes migraines so hard to diagnose, particularly if a patient’s doctor is only familiar with the most common symptoms.

4) A doctor can tell if it’s a migraine or not.

Not always.  The wide spectrum of symptoms that can accompany migraine can make it difficult to diagnose, more so if the patient is not forthcoming with their doctor about all their symptoms.

5) Migraines are curable.

Again, no.  Once properly diagosed many migraineurs still have to devote a lot of time and energy to managing their condition through medications, natural and homeopathic remedies, and diet and lifestyle changes.  The various available coping methods work differently for each individual, so there is not even a single protocol of care.

6) Migraines are a woman’s headache.

Women migraineurs do outnumber the men 3 to 1, but there is no evidence the condition is sex-linked in any way.

7) Only adults get migraines.

Migraines have been diagnosed in adolescents, children, and even infants.

8.) Every headache a migraineur is a migraine

Not true.  Migraine sufferers can have regular sinus, tension, or stress headaches just like anyone else.

Treat, Prevent and Control Your Pain Now!

The most unfortunate but true thing about a large and majority number of migraine headaches relief seekers is that they posses very little knowledge about migraines and what they really are, that is if they posses any knowledge at all as is sadly the case with some migraineurs.

Moving on to answer the question at head “What are migraines”, a migraine is a type of paiful headache one can have and they are usually accompanied by a number of symptoms. A migraine usually affects one side of the head with one of the most common symptoms being sensetivity to light. They typically last anything from a few hours to a few days even. The frequency of migraines differs from person to person but it can be any thing like daily, weekly and with somewhat fortunate migraine headaches relief seekers they might just have only have a few attacks a year.

Common Migraine Headaches Symptoms

Some common symptoms that will accompany migraines and ones that you might be seeking migraine headaches relief  for include nausea, vomitting, sensetivity to light and sound and vertigo as well. As you can see if you have frequent attacks then these types of symptoms are just not something that you would want to deal with often as they can bring dissorder and interuptions to your daily activities. Right at this moment you are reading this on your computer and you probably do most of your work on that computer as well. Just imagine this situation with you suffering from a migraine and being sensetive to light, not the most pleasent situation at all. Unfortunately millions ons people do have to deal such a situation frequently in their lives.

Migraines Are Not Cureable!

This is sadly a reality as bad as it may sound. The real course of migraines is known yet known and that makes it hard to  and basically impossible to cure completely. With that being sad, you do not to disppair at all. Even though they cannot be cured, there is a form of migraine headaches relief. Migraines can be treated, prevented and controlled.

Elizabeth Hayden has managed to put together a comprehensive guide on treating and preventing migraines after she suffered with migraines herself for decades living with pain and agony.

Treat, Prevent and Control Your Pain Now!

Grapes are a great and natural way to seek relief from a headache or a migraine. When it comes to using grapes to seek relief, there are a number of different steps that can be taken. For natural consumption, just eat a bowlful of ripe grapes. Another approach involves just drinking the juice, as the juice is what provides the relief. With this approach, squish or grind a few grapes and drink the juice.

In keeping with what is consumed, it is important to eat a proper diet. Diet is not only an ideal way to help get over a migraine quicker, but it is also a way to reduce your chances of suffering from one. A well balanced diet is key to staying happy and healthy. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, honey, yogurt, and milk are advised. In fact, one other natural remedy for headaches that comes highly recommended is eating a fresh apple each morning.

Water is also key to reducing the average time frame of a headache or a migraine. As with a healthy diet, the regular consumption of water can help to prevent the onset of headaches and migraines. In addition to drinking plain water, another home and natural remedy for headaches and migraines that comes recommended is that of honey. Many headache and migraine sufferers report a decrease or complete elimination in pain when drinking a glass of water with a teaspoon of honey.

A cold compress can also and should be used to help treat a migraine or a headache. A ziplock bag filled with ice or a cold washcloth can be used. Although a cold compress is an ideal way to seek relief from a headache or a migraine, there are also individuals who claim that heat provides them with assistance. If you would like to try this approach, start with warm washcloths or towels around the neck and armpits.

Those who have the option to do so are encouraged to sleep when they develop a painful headache or migraine. Although sleep may not provide permanent relief, the temporary relief is still preferred by many. Even if sleep is not possible, like if you are a parent who is at home with your child, stay in a dark room. Light can often complicate a headache, especially a migraine. This can make the pain much worse or even unbearable for many. For that reason, those suffering from migraines are encouraged to limit their exposure to household lights, sunlight, television, and computer screens.

Headaches, especially migraines, can be debilitating. Some sufferers are unable to continue on with their daily activities. If this describes you and if you have tried the above mentioned natural and home remedies for migraines without success, you may want to consider contacting a healthcare professional. As nice as it is to stay natural, it is important to be able to complete your daily tasks, especially if you are employed or a parent.