| Description: Severe, often debilitating headache.
Cause: Varied, often due to stress.
Useful Supplements: Alpha Linolenic Acid, Fish Oil, Gamma Linolenic Acid, Magnesium, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin D.
Useful Herbs: Cayenne, Feverfew.
Further information: Migraines are severe headaches. They are often preceded by a group of symptoms which warn that the headache is approaching: dizziness, visual problems, sometimes even nausea. Migraines affect about 6% of the population,1 and are more often seen in women. There appears to be a genetic predisposition toward them in some families.
Migraine headaches are characterized by a throbbing sensation. They usually cause the most pain on the sides of the head (as opposed to the forehead or back of head), and can last up to 48 hours. They are often accompanied by other neurological problems such as dizziness, tingling extremities, and light sensitivity.
Migraines may be exacerbated by certain situations: stress, exhaustion, and heat are common. If possible, these situations should be avoided.
Food allergies and sensitivities can make migraines more severe.2 Food products which are common triggers include all forms of caffeine and the artificial sweetener aspartame.3
Some medications appear to prevent recurrent migraines.
The best treatment for migraines appears to be quiet and low light (even full darkness). Some pain medications may help ease the throbbing headache.
The following supplements and herbs may be helpful in the treatment of migraine headaches:
Both Alpha Linolenic Acid (ALA) and Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA) reduce the severity and frequency of migraines by over 75%.4
Fish Oil appears to prevent migraines by reducing blood vessel spasms.5
Magnesium appears to reduce both the duration and intensity of migraines.6 It is believed that it does so by preventing blood vessel spasms.
Vitamin B2, given in a dose of 400 mg daily, appears to completely suppress migraine headaches.7
Vitamin B3 (Riboflavin) is necessary for mitochondrial metabolism. It also appears to reduce the severity and frequency of migraines by at least 50%.8
Vitamin D, when used with calcium, provides some relief for migraines.9
The main component of Cayenne Pepper, capsaicin, appears to be effective in treating migraines.10 It should be applied as an ointment to the inside of the nose. This may, however, cause a burning sensation and severe discomfort.
Feverfew is traditionally used in Europe for headache relief. Studies have shown that it reduces the frequency and severity of migraines in many people.11
References:
1Stewart, W., et al. Prevalence of migraine headache in the United States: Relation to age, income, race and other socioeconomic factors. JAMA, 267 (1): 64-69, Jan. 1991.
2Grant EC. Food Allergies and migraine. Lancet 1979 May 5;1(8123):966-9.
3Van den Eeden SK, et al. Aspartame ingestion and headaches: a randomized crossover trial. Neurology 1994 Oct;44(10):1787-93.
4Wagner W, Nootbaar-Wagner U. Prophylactic treatment of migraine with gamma-linolenic and alpha-linolenic acids. Cephalalgia 1997 Apr;17(2):127-30.
5McCarty MF. Magnesium taurate and fish oil for prevention of migraine. Medical Hypothesis 1996 Dec;47(6):461.
6Peikert A, et al. Prophylaxis of migraine with oral magnesium: results from a prospective multicenter, placebo-controlled and double-blind randomized study. Cephalalgia 1996;16:257-63.
7Gaby, A. & Wright, J. Nutrition Update, AANP 10th Annual Convention, Snowmass, Colo., Oct. 11-15, 1995.
8Schoenen J, et al. Effectiveness of high-dose riboflavin in migraine prophylaxis. A randomized controlled trial. Neurology 1998 Feb;50(2):466-70.
9Thys-Jacobs S. Alleviation of migraines with therapeutic vitamin D and calcium. Headache 1994 Nov-Dec;34(10):590-2.
10Marks, D.R., et al. A double-blind placebo-controlled trial of intranasal capsaicin for cluster headache. Cephalalgia, 13 (2): 114-116, 1993.
11Murphy JJ, et al. Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of feverfew in migraine prevention. Lancet 1988 Jul 23;2(8604):189-92.
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