Migraine and Its Homeopathic Treatment

Migraine rules the head like a dictator.

Migraine headaches often differ in their nature, frequency and duration, but they all make the affected individual literally pray, or ‘beg,’ for relief.

It also tends to affect people who make every effort for ‘perfection’ in everything they do.

Migraine usually affects people in their mid-twenties, or 30s; more so, women. Interestingly, it is also common in children. Have you not heard of parents complaining that their child has had ‘migraine-type’ of headaches for as long as they know?

What is migraine

Migraine is a complex syndrome. What distinguishes the disorder, from other types of headaches, is its typical periodic [occurring at intervals], or episodic, pain.

• There is generally pain on one side of head; ‘as if in a vice-like grip’
• Giddiness and sensory loss of hands
• Sudden change from happiness to depression, or vice versa
• Sensitivity to light and noise; profuse watery eyes
• Loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting at the peak of the attack
• Gas, with bloating, loose stools and/or profuse urination.

A migraine headache may start suddenly. It may also be gradual; this usually affects the unsuspecting individual in the early hours of the morning. It may also have a tendency to ruin one’s weekends, or holidays.This is quite sickening, although it may not interfere with one’s work/occupation, unless one is working during weekends.

What research says

What actually causes migraine is not yet known; however, research suggests that it most often results from a combination of factors — blood vessel enlargement and release of certain chemicals from the nerve fibres. Once this happens, the nerve fibres ‘curl’ around blood vessels. This may lead to swelling of the blood vessels just under the skin of the temple [the side of the head behind the eyes].

The following sequel is, thereafter, a likely outcome: headache, nausea, diarrhoea and/or vomiting.

During a migraine episode, there may be delayed emptying of the stomach into the small intestine. This may affect absorption of food and blood circulation.

Homeopathy: Safe, effective treatment for migraine

Homeopathy aims to treat the individual that carries the migraine ‘burden’ on their head, rather than the problem per se.

No two individuals with migraine, as we all know, display the same set of symptoms, peculiarities, sensitivities, or temperament. Homeopathy analyses and treats such special characteristics, or symptoms, while analysing all the possible causes, or triggers.

Homeopathy also evidences that a certain homeopathic medicine that can ‘cause’ migraine-like symptoms, in healthy individuals, can also treat, or cure, individuals having migraine, who present with the same, unique set of symptoms.

However, what distinguishes homeopathy from other systems is no two individuals with migraine may be prescribed the same medicine. Rather, the appropriate homeopathic medicine takes its ‘cue’ from each individual’s distinguishing symptoms.

One individual with migraine, for example, may feel better with a hankie tied around the head; while another may feel worse. This calls for the use of two different homeopathic medicines.

In one clinical study, 60 people suffering from migraine were treated using constitutional homeopathic treatment over a period of four months and placebo [dummy pill] in the control group. Patients in the control group experienced a marginal reduction in migraine frequency from 9.9 attacks per month to 7.9 per month. Patients in the homeopathic treatment group reported a significant reduction in their monthly migraine attack rate: from 10 to just 1.8 to 3 per month.

Self-Help

• Get good sleep for 6-8 hours every day. Studies have shown that people who sleep well are better equipped to prevent migraine attacks
• Eat regular meals; skipping meals or irregular snacking can trigger migraine
• Exercise regularly; exercises and relaxation techniques, such as yoga and meditation, go a long way in controlling migraine
• Avoid things that may trigger migraine ‘attacks’ — like old cheese, alcohol, chocolate, yeast, stale meats, monosodium glutamate [MSG], red wine, soybean and coffee.