AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF MIGRAINE

Posted April 21, 2024

A migraine is a type of headache that can cause severe throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation, usually on one side of the head. It's often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Migraine is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and neurological factors. Triggers can include stress, hormonal changes, certain foods like cheese alcohol, chocolates, processed and fermented foods etc, sensory stimuli (like bright lights or strong odors), and changes in sleep patterns. The exact cause varies from person to person. Research shows specific nerves in the blood vessels of the head send pain signals to the brain. This releases inflammatory substances into the head’s nerves and blood vessels.

Symptoms of Migraine are different in everyone. In many people, it happens in stages. Before the headache most people with migraine experience symptoms that start hours or days before the headache. At this stage, a person might experience a “prodrome,” which may involve emotional changes, specifically depression and irritability, yawning, dizziness, thirst, frequent urination, and sensitivity to light and sound. Sometimes an aura can occur. This involves physical or sensory symptoms, such as flashing lights in the field of vision. During the headache stage a mild to severe, throbbing or pulsing headache, symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, neck pain, dizziness, and nasal congestion. In the resolution stage which is after the headache, tiredness and irritability may last another 2 days. This is sometimes called the “migraine hangover.”

14 distinct types of migrines are

Migraine without aura - It is the most common type with a pulsating headache of moderate-to-severe intensity on one side of the head, aggravation by routine physical activity, nausea, and sensitivity to light (photophobia) and sound (phonophobia).
Migraine with aura - The term "aura" refers to various symptoms that start approximately 30 minutes or so before the headache begins. The symptoms of aura are usually visual and may include such disturbances as seeing flashing lights or wavy lines or losing part or all of your vision for a short period.
Hemiplegic migraine is a rare form of a migraine that causes weakness on one side of the body, possibly accompanied by confusion or speech slurring.
Vestibular migraine - are migraines that are accompanied by vertigo.
Retinal migraine causes flashes or sparkles of light, possibly combined with partial or total temporary blindness, but only in one eye. This occurs before the headache phase of the migraine starts. The head pain generally commences within an hour of these visual symptoms and can last up to three days.
Chronic migraine- When migraines occur 15 or more days per month over three months or more, the condition is called chronic or transformed migraine.
Menstrual migraine is a migraine type associated with menstruation and influenced by rises and falls in the hormone estrogen
Abdominal migraine is a form of migraine seen mainly in children (most commonly those ages 5 to 9), well. Symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting without a headache, although children who have abdominal migraines often have migraines involving head pain when they're older.
Basilar-type migraine involving symptoms like vertigo, double vision, and difficulty speaking
Ocular migraine involving visual disturbances without headache
Status migrainosus a severe, prolonged migraine attack lasting more than 72 hours
Silent migraine - The symptoms of silent migraines are vision problems and alterations in color perception. Silent migraines are more common in people over 50 and are sometimes misdiagnosed as a stroke.
Alice in Wonderland syndrome - rare migraine variant with distortions in perception of size and time. Someone with this condition might feel as if their body is getting smaller, then larger, or might find that time seems to speed up or slow down. Children experience this syndrome more than adults, but it can occur in people of any age.
Ice pick headache is brief, stabbing headaches often described as feeling like an ice pick in the head

In Ayurveda, migraine is often referred to as "Ardhavabhedaka" or "Sooryavarta," depending on the predominant dosha imbalance involved. According to Ayurvedic principles, migraines are believed to result from an imbalance in the body's doshas, particularly Vata and Pitta doshas.

Vata-type migraine (Ardhavabhedaka): This type of migraine is characterized by symptoms such as throbbing pain, sensitivity to light and sound, and constipation. Vata dosha imbalance, which leads to dryness, coldness, and erratic movements in the body, is believed to be the underlying cause. Treatment focuses on calming Vata dosha through nourishing, grounding practices such as warm oil massages, and relaxation techniques.

Pitta-type migraine (Sooryavarta): Pitta dosha imbalance, characterized by heat, inflammation, and excess acidity in the body, is associated with this type of migraine. Symptoms may include intense, burning pain, sensitivity to light, nausea, and irritability. Ayurvedic treatment in dubai aims to pacify Pitta dosha through cooling, soothing therapies such as dietary modifications (avoiding spicy and acidic foods), herbal remedies with cooling properties, and stress management techniques.

Ayurveda also considers individual constitution (Prakriti) and the current state of imbalance (Vikriti) when diagnosing and treating migraines. Therefore, the treatment approach may vary based on a person's unique constitution, lifestyle factors, and specific symptoms. Ayurvedic Panchakarma therapies for migraines often focus on restoring balance to the doshas, promoting overall health and well-being, and addressing underlying imbalances contributing to migraine attacks.

# Migraine , # Ayurveda #Panchakarama for migraine # Dr. Shyam’s Ayurveda Centre