Migraine is more prevalent than diabetes still is causes are not completely known. It might be genetic or can be caused due to environmental factors. We all suffer from headaches but contrary to the common beliefs, Migraine is not just a bad headache it is much more than that. It is a neurological condition where one suffers from a headache of varying intensity, which often leads to nausea, vomiting, difficulty in speaking, numbness or tingling, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. A migraine attack lasts between 4 to 72 hours, and the pain is so throbbing that it interferes with one’s daily course of activities.

Migraine is the 3rd most prevalent illness in the world and is extremely common between the age group of 18 to 44. the progression of Migraine includes four stages: prodrome, aura, attack, and post-drome. Everyone who has migraines doesn’t need to suffer from all these stages.

Stages of Migraine

  1. Prodrome

It is the primary stage that takes place a day or two before the migraine. the symptoms that the prodrome periods embrace are Constipation, Mood swings, Neck stiffness, accrued thirst and evacuation, Food desire, Frequent yawning.

  • Aura

Aura happens before or throughout migraines. Symptoms of this stage typically begin gradually, build up over many minutes, and lasts for twenty to an hour. The samples of migraine aura are Vision loss, Pinning and needles sensation in an arm or leg, weakness, or symptom within the face or one aspect of the body, problem speaking.

  • Attack

It is the particular sick headache episode that everybody goes through which might last up to hours or days. the frequency at that one gets margarin attacks varies from person to person. It might happen seldom or strike many times a month. During an attack, one suffers from the subsequent symptoms Pain sometimes on one aspect of the pinnacle, however typically on either side, throbbing and pulsing pain, Sensitivity to lightweight, sound, smell, or touch, nausea, and regurgitation.

  • Postdrome

The aftereffects of migraine attack where one feels drained out, weak, confused, and washed out for days.

Migraine Triggers

There are various types of triggers that lead to a migraine attack. These triggers an emotional, physical, diet-related, environmental, or associated with medications.

  • The Emotional triggers are stress, anxiety, tension, shock, depression, excitement.
  • The physical triggers include tiredness, poor quality sleep, neck and shoulder tension, jet lag, low blood sugar, poor posture.
  • Diet-related triggers are missed, delayed or irregular meals, dehydration, alcohol, caffeine products, food containing tyramine
  • Environment triggers comprise bright lights, flickering screen, loud noise, strong smells, smoking (smoky rooms)
  • And last, the medicated triggers include some type of sleeping tablets, contraceptive pills, or hormone replacement therapy.

Ayurvedic Approach to Migraine

Ayurveda is a conventional method of medicine that is majorly practiced in India and has gained popularity around the world in recent years. It uses a holistic approach to health. It considers the body, mind, and soul once treating a condition.

In terms of Ayurveda migraine is stated an Ardhavabedhaka which indicates intense and piercing one-sided pain. concerning Ayurveda context migraine is caused due by an imbalance in the tridoshas, namely Vata, pitta, and Kapha doshas, which causes a negative impact on the working of the nervous system, hampering the memory, concentration, and focus ability, in addition to diminishing eye health, irregular sleep cycle or insomnia and reduces the productivity level.

Ayurveda offers some soothing therapeutic solutions for alleviating migraine pain which are Triphala Churna, Ksheera Ghrita, Sitopaladi Churna, Dhoomapana and Nasya All these soothing therapies embrace medicines, ghee, milk cooked with herbs, and tonics.

Ayurveda advises people suffering from migraine to:

  • Avoid exposure to mid-day sun and cold winds.
  • Follow a healthy sleep schedule of 8 hours of sleep
  • To practices relaxation techniques that help in dealing with chronic stress
  • Avoid drinking and smoking
  • Do not suppress your tears
  • Do not suppress natural urges like sneezing, moving the bowels, and urinating
  • Schedule 40-60 minutes of morning/evening walk every day.

An Ideal Ayurvedic diet for migraine

  • Include freshly cooked organic food
  • Drinking warm water throughout the day
  • Having a light breakfast and dinner
  • Drinking milk separately
  • Avoiding radishes, chilies, meat, tomatoes, garlic, aged cheese, butter, yogurt, frozen, canned, and processed foods
  • Avoid bitter, acidic, sour, heavy, salty, and pungent things
  • Consume a diet that includes sweet ripe fruits, mint, coconuts, vegetables, nuts, pulses, pomegranates.
  • In the conventional medicine approach, migraine is typically treated with pharmaceutical medication and change of lifestyle but when it comes to Ayurveda which is an ancient system of medicine. It uses a non-conventional approach and treats people using herbal remedies to manage one symptom.

And here are some Ayurvedic remedies that one can use to cure their migraine.

Ayurvedic Remedies

  • Boil a chunk of ginger in water and drink that
  • Add a pinch of saffron, cardamom, and turmeric in warm milk and drink it daily.
  • Make a paste of nutmeg and sandalwood and then apply it on the forehead this would help in calming and relaxing during an attack
  • Nightlong soak 4-5 almonds and raisins in water and eat them and drink the water daily
  • Take equal quantities of roasted, coriander, cumin, and fennel seed and grind them. Then add 1tbsp of the power to a cup of boiling water. Let it come back to area temperature and then drink it on an empty abdomen.
  • Take a tsp of coconut oil and swish in your mouth on an empty stomach for 15-20 minutes and spit. This flushes out bacteria and toxins from the mouth. You can brush later. 

Other Ayurveda treatments used to Manage migraine are

Yoga

Yoga is an age-old practice that brings together your mind and body. It helps in claiming one’s mind and body by relieving stress and anxiety and cut back sensitivity to pain, including migraine pain. Some specific yoga postures facilitate in boosting blood circulation and increase the blood flow to your brain specifically the posters that are particularly helpful for migration relief includes

  • Child’s pose
  • Downward facing dog
  • Bridge pose

Regular exercise

It is scientifically evident that regular exercises have helped in reducing the frequency of migraine attacks and also managed its symptoms.

One does not need to do any vigorous exercises it is suggested to do moderate exercises like brush walking, swimming, or water workouts which may help in relieving the stress and supports overall wellness.

Relaxation techniques

Plenty of analysis has shown that relaxation techniques facilitate in reducing stress symptoms such as pain headaches add high force per unit area. It is mentioned that sick headache attacks are largely caused thanks to stress. Here are some relaxation techniques that will particularly be useful in reducing stress and anxiety:

  • Deep breathing
  • Meditation or mindfulness
  • Mental Imagery
  • Progressive muscle relaxation.

However, some of the ayurvedic treatments have not been well researched and might be harmful. So, it is recommended to consult a qualified Ayurvedic Practitioner.