Disclaimer
This article is only a general information and discussion about the topic. Information and other content gotten herein should not be taken as medical advice, and the information and discussion should not be substituted for professional and medical advice. Always seek the guidance of your doctor and other qualified health professionals regarding your health and medical conditions.
We all know that migraines can be so frustrating, especially with its pain. It makes you hate so many natural things, like sounds, music, staring at TV, PC or phone screen, even perceiving odor. I’ve been in that situation before. So, I know exactly how you feel.
It is in view of this that I set out to make some exploration and academic research on how this condition can be treated at home. Hence, this article is a summary of my findings on how migraine can be treated, while employing methods that can be used at home. Let’s get it started.
What is Migraine?
According to World Health Organization (1), migraine is a condition which is known for recurrent headaches that might be moderate or severe. Usually, this headache lasts between 2 to 72 hours, affecting one half of the head; the headache however worsens when accompanied with physical activities.
Maria Piane, et. al. said that migraines are believed to be caused by two factors (2); environmental factor and genetic factor, with about two-third cases of migraines being genetic.
Migraines most often start at puberty and worsen as the patient grows older; becoming worst at middle age. Pregnancy and menopause however reduces cases of migraines in some women.
Symptoms of Migraine
Migraine doesn’t start without symptoms, as its symptoms usually develop a day or two before you start having a feel of the headache. According to a recent study, there are typically four phases to migraine(3); the same study also said that sometimes not all the phases might be experienced.
The 4 phases include:
- The PRODROME – This occurs hours or days before headache
- The AURA – This occurs immediately before the headache
- The PAIN – This is the headache (it can last for hours or days)
- The POSTDROME – This is the aftermath effects of the migraine headache
The PRODROME stage symptoms may include:
- Neck stiffness
- Irritability
- Low energy or fatigue
- Depression
- Frequent yawning
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Food cravings
- Sensitivity to smell and or noise
The AURA stage symptoms may include:
- Vision disturbances
- Temporal loss of vision
- Difficulty with speaking
- Tingling or prickling sensation in face, arms or legs
The PAIN stage symptoms may include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Increased sensitivity to light and sound
- Dizziness
- Pain on one side of the head
- Sensitivity to smell
- Blurred vision
- Nasal stuffiness
- Frequent urination
- Pallor and sweating
The POSTDROME stage symptoms may include:
- Hang over
- Head pain
- Malaise
- Depression
- Weakness
- Mood change
- Gastrointestinal symptoms
Causes of Migraines
According to a study by Matthew Robbins and Richard Liptun, the underlying cause of migraine is not known.(5) Nonetheless, it is believed that environmental factors and genetic factors are very much related to migraine cases.Other factors that may trigger migraine include:(6)
- Dehydration
- Excess stress
- Skipping meals
- Unusual smells
- Smoking
- Traveling
- Use of alcohol
- Loud sounds
- Hormone changes in women (estrogen and progesterone changes in women during menstruation, pregnancy as well as menopause)
- Certain foods (tyramine, nitrates, caffeinated drinks, alcohol)
- Psychological conditions (bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety)
Home Remedies for Migraine
Natural remedies have records of being used for ailments for a very long time, with migraine not missing out of the list of ailments. The reason for searching for home remedies differs from one person to the other.Home treatments might become the best option for people who have tried some prescriptions that did not work for them; while some prescriptions have caused some unwanted side effects; at the same time, some prescriptions are way too pricey that you can’t afford them.
We shall extensively discuss in subsequent paragraphs, the natural and home treatments for migraine.
Tea for Migraine Headaches
It has been discovered that tea helps in treating so many health problems, and of which migraine is one of them. Drinking tea helps some people, while it may further increase the chance of migraine in some other people.(7)
Chamomile tea on another hand is very helpful in easing some symptoms associated with migraines such as anxiety. While feverfew tea contains a compound known as ‘pathenolide’ which minimizes inflammation, thus aiding the prevention of migraine attacks.
If you are truly looking for an alternative treatment for migraine headaches, then you should as a matter of fact consider tea.
Caffeine and Migraine Headaches
Caffeine is like the double-edge sword as far as migraine is concerned – when you take much of it, you are definitely calling for a migraine attack; while taking little of it after a migraine attack can help ease and suspend the pain. |
NOTE
- Caffeine intake should be limited by children and adolescents.
- Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers should avoid large consumptions of caffeine doses. Source: (MayoClinic – Caffeine).(9)
Ginger Root for Migraine Headaches
Ginger is very popular for being a kitchen spice and has also been used for thousands of years as a natural treatment plant for different health and medical conditions.
Ginger oils are rich in anti-nausea and anti-inflammatory compounds, and this helps migraine greatly. Ginger can be purchased from supplement and grocery stores, and they came in different forms like capsules, tea bags, liquid teas, powder, essential oil and grand ginger root.
Fish Oil as a Natural Remedy for Migraine Headache
Fish oil is oil from fish which contains Omega-3 fatty acids which is believed to be a cure for migraine headache, which can also protect heart disease and stroke.(10) Research experts believe that omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil is adequate to treat migraine.
They can be taken as supplements or through some foods like: salmon, trout, tuna, mackerel and sardines.
In another way, omega-3 fatty acids can also be found in some plant-based foods like: walnuts, chia see, tofu and canola oil.
Neck Massage and Temples Massage
It is believed that tension is one of the major causes of migraine; therefore, a massage can cool down your blood vessels and also relax the muscle which in turn will ease the symptoms of migraine.How do you go about this?
- Use the middle and index fingers of both hands to gently massage the side of your neck, back of your neck and temples
- Gently apply pressure in circular strokes
- Dipping your fingers in ice cold water before starting the massage tends to increase the effectiveness. This is because the cold water constricts the blood vessels, which in turn slows down blood rush to the head.
Aerobic Exercise
Having a light aerobic exercise can cause the blood to flow into other parts of the body which may in turn cure your migraine.(11)Some aerobic exercises that may help with migraine include jogging, brisk walking, cycling and swimming. When this is done, heat pumps increase, causing blood circulation to other parts of the body, thus stopping blood rush to the head.
Valerian as Migraine Remedy
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is an herb used as a dietary supplement, which is often used as sleep aid. The roots and stems of the valerian plant are used to make teas, tablets and capsule; and they are also good for treating migraine naturally.(12)So many compounds present in valerian have relaxing and sedative effects, and this is believed to work well for migraine.
When to See a Doctor for Migraine
You might want to ask when you should consider seeing a doctor; you should see your doctor when:- You have three or more migraine attacks in a week
- The migraine pain keeps getting worse
- The migraine headaches won’t go away
- You take pain reliever drugs almost every day
Tips on Migraine Headache
- Place a cold washcloth on your head whenever you feel migraine pains
- The best care for migraine sometimes is relaxing and resting
- Drink a cup of tea
Conclusion
Migraine attack is one kind of headache that can cause a lot of pain and discomfort. And this perhaps has led you to seek a quick and emergency solution to it.
If you carefully follow the tips we have discussed in this article, you are definitely on the right track.
Have you learnt one or two things here, if yes, then share with your friends and followers. Remember, everyone deserves a good health.
Images from: pixabay.com
Sources and References
- World Health Organization, “Migraine” http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs277/en/
- Maria Piane, et. al., NCBI http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2779399
- NCBI http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20572569
- AHomeRemedyFor http://www.ahomeremedy.com/diarrhea
- Matthew Robbins & Richard Liptun https://doi.org/10/1055%2Fs-0030-1249220
- HealthLine, “Migraine” http://www.healthline.com.health/migraine
- Migraine, “Migraine” https://migraine.com/migraine-treatment/natural-remedies/tea
- NCCIH, “Green Tea” https://nccih.nih.gov/health/greentea
- MayoClinic “Caffeine” https://mayoclinic.org/healthy.lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/caffeine/art-20045678
- Medicine Plus https://medicineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000767.htm
- Minds, “Migraine” https://www.minds.nih.gov/disorders/migraine/migraine.htm
- NCCIH, “Valerian” http://nccih.nih.gov/health/valerian
Disclaimer
This article is only a general information and discussion about the topic. Information and other content gotten herein should not be taken as medical advice, and the information and discussion should not be substituted for professional and medical advice. Always seek the guidance of your doctor and other qualified health professionals regarding your health and medical conditions.
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