Migraine Remedies and Symptoms

More than 29 million people in the US suffer from migraines, twenty percent experience an aura before the pain begins. Prescription migraine remedies include the use of ergotamine with caffeine, rizatriptan (Maxalt), sumatriptan (Imitrex), frovatriptan (Frova), almotriptan (Axert), and zolmitriptan (Zomig). Natural migraine remedies include feverfew, Butterbur, magnesium and 5-HTP.

Migraines generally last from four to seventy two hours and include the following symptoms :

• Throbbing or pulsating severe pain on one side of the head


• Sensitivity or sound and/or light


• Nausea, may be accompanied by vomiting


• Pain increases with physical activity
  

Auras may include light flashes, blind spots in vision, tingling in one leg or arm.

For a diagnosis of migraine the following conditions must be met :

The headache must have at least two of the following

• pain on one side of the head


• pulsating or throbbing


• moderate to severe pain


• pain worse on physical activity or causes the patient to avoid their usual physical activity

While the headache is occurring at least one of the following must be present :

• Nausea with or without vomiting


• Photophobia (sensitivity to light) or phonophobia (sensitivity to sound)
  

Other symptoms in addition to these may accompany the migraine including loss of appetite, numbness, weakness and fatigue. After an attack there may be neck pain, sleepiness and mental dullness.

Migraine Triggers

Migraines can be triggered by a wide range of factors and vary considerably from person to person. If you suffer from migraines if would be a good idea to keep a diary to try to identify your own triggers. Some of the triggering factors include :

• Bright lights, loud noises, and certain odors or perfumes


• Allergic reactions


• Changes in sleep patterns


• Physical or emotional stress


• Skipping meals


• Smoking or exposure to smoke


• Menstrual cycle fluctuations, birth control pills, hormone fluctuations during the menopause transition


• Alcohol


• Foods containing tyramine (red wine, aged cheese, smoked fish, chicken livers, figs, and some beans), monosodium glutamate (MSG) or nitrates (like bacon, hot dogs, and salami)


• Tension headaches


• aspartame


• Other foods such as nuts, peanut butter,chocolate, avocado, banana, onions, citrus, dairy products, and pickled or fermented foods.
  

Some studies however have found no correlation between some of the foods popularly supposed to induce migraines including chocolate, cheese, histamine, tyramine, nitrates, or nitrites. Some studies suggest that dehydration, alcohol and caffeine withdrawal and missing, meals were important triggers.

Migraine Remedies

Migraine should be diagnosed by a doctor who will advise on the best course of treatment, there are however some things you can try to help with the pain.

An ice pack on the side of the head that is affected can reduce the pain

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) has a long tradition of being used for the treatment of headaches. Results of clinical studies are mixed about its effectiveness. I have personally used feverfew and found it to be effective.

Cut our aspertame from your diet. I can personally testify that after having suffered with migraines for over twenty years I stopped using any products containing aspertame (for a different reason). In over five years since I stopped using aspertame I have had NO migraines.

Other natural migraine remedies will be explored in future articles.