Monday, November 22, 2010

Headache Migraine | Causes and Relief for Headache Migraine


Migraine is a common problem of the nervous system. It is characterized by frequent headaches that are triggered by some particular factors. Migraine headaches are very much rampant in the modern world. Statistics reveal that there may be about 15% of the total world population suffering from some kind of migraine or the other, out of which about 5% are yet to be diagnosed.

Causes of Migraine (Anantavaata)

The exact cause of migraine is not known. Meaning that, it is not known why some people are prone to migraine-related headaches and some others are not. In people with migraine complaints, it is observed that there are usually some triggering factors that bring on the migraine headache.

A list of the common triggering factors for migraine is given below:- A. Causes Related to Lifestyle

Busy and hectic life, rife with lots of tensions and worries

Financial problems and major losses of money

Continuous and prolonged exposure to toxins and chemical pollutants, including smoke and fumes

Excessive smoking

Sudden changes of climate

Continuous exposure to loud sound

Watching too much television, especially those with lot of sound and visual effects

Improper sleep patterns – either too much, too little or interrupted

Pubertal changes in girls

Pregnancy in women

Starvation

Extreme excitation of either sorrow or happiness

B. Causes Related to Diet

Monosodium glutamate, i.e. ajinomoto in food

Too much of oily or spicy food

Fermented foods and foods containing too much yeast

Saccharin

Beverages such as tea, coffee and colas

Excessive consumption of dairy products

Flesh foods that are not fresh

Grapes and raisins

Dry fruits such as nuts and peanuts

All kinds of alcoholic drinks

C. Causes Related to Medication

Drugs that dilate the blood vessels, such as nitroglycerine

Too much painkillers

Withdrawal from painkillers

Birth control pills

Aminophylline, used by asthmatic patients

Reserpine, nifedipine and diuretics used by high blood pressure patients

According to Ayurvedic principles, migraine is a tridosha disorder, i.e. vitiation in any of the three doshas – vata, pitta or kapha – can cause migraines. Out of the three doshas, pittadosha is the most prominent factor. Pittadosha causes the dilation of the blood vessels, which causes the onset of a migraine attack.

Treatment for Migraine (Anantavaata) Relief The treatment of anantavaata by Ayurveda follows a very systematic synergic pattern. The treatment is a three-point process, which is as follows:-

Controlling the rebounding of the migraine attack
Reduce the exposure to triggering factors
Medication to prevent the future attacks

When migraine treatment is done only through allopathic or other forms of medication, then there may be a chance of rebounding in the future. Also, most medication cannot totally eliminate the migraine condition from the body. Ayurveda aims not only removing the severity of the migraine attack, but also prevents the recurrence of attacks in the future.

Must Read about Health Care to help your family health, Health or view our health articles Headache Migraine to help your migraine