migraine

                       MIGRAINE  ( HEADACHE )

Migraine is a common type of headache that may occur with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light.   In many people, a throbbing pain is felt only on one side of the head.

Migraines are believed to be due to a mixture of environmental and genetic factors. About two-thirds of cases run in families. Changing hormone levels may also play a role, as migraines affect slightly more boys than girls
before puberty and two to three times more women than men. The risk of migraines usually decreases during pregnancy. The underlying mechanisms are not fully known. They are, however, believed to involve the nerves and blood vessels of the brain.

some people who get migraines have warning symptoms, called an aura, before the actual headache begins. An aura is a group of symptoms, including vision disturbances that are a warning sign that a bad headache is coming.

The aura occurs in both eyes and may involve any or all of the following:

• A temporary blind spot
• Blurred vision
• Eye pain
• Seeing stars or zigzag lines
• Tunnel vision 

Other warning signs include yawning, difficulty concentrating, nausea, and trouble finding the right words.

Migraine headache can be dull or severe. The pain may be felt behind the eye or in the back of the head and neck. For many patients, the headaches start on the same side each time. The headache usually:

• Feel throbbing, pounding, or pulsating
• Are worse on one side of the head
• Start as a dull ache and get worse within minutes to hours
• Last 6 to 48 hours

Other symptoms that may occur with the headache  include:

• Chills
• Increased urination
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Numbness, tingling or weakness
• Problems concentrating, trouble finding words
• Sensitivity to light or sound
• Sweating

Symptoms may linger even after the migraine has gone away. patients with migraine sometimes calls this a migraine "hangover." symptoms can include:

• Feeling mentally dull, like your thinking is not clear or sharp
• Increased need for sleep
• neck pain 

what triggers migraine headaches?

some people who suffer from migraines can clearly identify triggers or factors that cause the headache, but many cannot. 

However, the following trigger are likely to set off migraines:

• Hormonal changes: Women may experience migraine symptoms during menstruation, due to changing hormone levels.
• Emotional triggers: Stress, depression, anxiety, excitement, and shock can trigger a migraine.
• Physical causes: Tiredness and insufficient sleep, shoulder or neck tension, poor posture, and physical overexertion have all been linked to migraines. Low blood sugar and jet lag can also act as triggers.
• Triggers in the diet: Alcohol and caffeine can contribute to triggering migraines. Some specific foods can also have this effect, including chocolate, cheese, citrus fruits, and foods containing the additive tyramine. Irregular mealtimes and dehydration have also been named as potential triggers.
• Medications: Some sleeping pills, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) medications, and the combined contraceptive pill have all been named as possible triggers.
• Triggers in the environment: Flickering screens, strong smells, second-hand smoke, and loud noises can set off a migraine. Stuffy rooms, temperature changes, and bright lights are also possible triggers.

Triggers do not always cause migraines and avoiding triggers does not always prevent migraines. 

Migraines with aura

Many people experience migraines with auras or warning signs just before or during the head pain, but many do not. Auras are perceptual disturbances such as:

• Confusing thoughts or experiences.
• The perception of strange lights, sparkling or flashing lights.
• \Zigzag lines in the visual field.
• Blind spots or blank patches in the vision.
• Pins and needles in an arm or leg.
• Difficulty speaking.
• Stiffness in the shoulders, neck or limbs.
• Unpleasant smells.

If any migraine sufferer experiences unusual or worrying features that they do not normally have, then they should seek medical help rather than blaming the migraine.

Symptoms such as unusual severe headache, visual disturbance, loss of sensation or power, difficulties with speech are all important features, which, if unusual for the sufferer, should not be ignored.

According to the National Health Service in the UK, about one-third of people who get migraines also have auras.

When migraines with aura affect vision, the patient may see things that are not there, such as transparent strings of objects, not see parts of the object in front of them, or even feel as if part of their field of vision appears, disappears and then comes back again.

It is common for patients to describe the visual disturbance as similar to the sensation one has after being photographed with a very bright camera flash, especially if one walks into a darker room straight away.

For many migraine sufferers, the auras act as a warning, telling them that the headache is soon to come.

The Migraine Trust says that in adults auras usually occur before the headache, but in children they may happen at the same time.

Migraine sufferers also may have premonitions know as a prodrome that can occur several hours or a day or so before the headache. These premonitions may consist of feelings of elation or intense energy, cravings for sweets, thirst, drowsiness, irritability, or depression.

What are the signs and symptoms of migraine headaches?

The most common symptoms of migraine are:

• The pain is usually a severe, throbbing, pulsing pain.
• Increasing pain during physical activity
• Inability to perform regular activities due to pain
• Feeling sick and physically being sick
• Increased sensitivity to light and sound, relieved by lying quietly in a darkened room
•  Some people experience other symptoms such as sweating, temperature changes, tummy ache and diarrhea

• Severe, often "pounding," pain, usually on one side of the head
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Eye pain
• Exposure to strong stimuli such as bright lights, loud noises, or strong smells.
Changes in barometric pressure have been described as leading to migraine headaches.
Not every individual who has migraines will experience one when exposed to these triggers. If a person is unsure what specific triggers might cause a migraine, maintaining a headache diary can be beneficial to identify those individual factors that lead to migraine.

What foods and other things trigger migraines?

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Many factors have been identified as migraine triggers.

• Normal hormone fluctuations, which occur with regular menstrual cycles, and some types of oral contraceptives (birth control pills).
• Various foods such as:

• Red wine
• Aged cheeses
• Preservatives used in smoked meats (nitrates)
• Monosodium glutamate
• Artificial sweeteners
• Chocolate
• Dairy products
• Oversleeping
• Alcohol beverages
• Stress

Treatment

There is currently no single cure for migraines. Treatment is aimed at preventing a full-blown attack, and alleviating the symptoms that occur.

Lifestyle alterations that might help reduce the frequency of migraines include:

• getting enough sleep
• reducing stress
• drinking plenty of water
• avoiding certain foods
• regular physical exercise

Some people also find that special diets can help, such as gluten-free.

Consider seeking further treatment if the above changes do not relieve the symptoms or frequency of migraines. The treatment of migraine symptoms focuses on avoiding triggers, controlling symptoms, and taking medicine.



Juices for migraine

Migraines or headaches are very often caused by dehydration, body toxicity, or certain nutrient deficiencies. Start hydrating, detoxing and nourishing with juices that are rich with a variety of nutrients.

Drink Water

Water is essential for the proper functioning of the body. Drink plenty of water every day. Do not think that beverages or alcoholic drinks will compensate for water. They will do the contrary, they will need more water to flush the toxins out, leaving the body dehydrated.

Most of the time, when the body is dehydrated and lacking certain nutrients, migraines may be repeated until we really pay attention to what we are putting into the body.

Migraine buster

Juice Recipe:

• A bunch of spinach or kale
• 2 cups of green grapes
• 2 green peppers
• 1 green apple
• ¼ lemon
• 1-inch ginger root

Some of the foods that contribute to dehydration and severe depletion of important minerals in our body that lead to migraines and possibly silent inflammation are:  High fats foods, sugar, artificial sweeteners, flour products, dairy products, alcohol, caffeine, artificial food additives, chocolate and some nuts/seeds, just to name a few.