What Is Migraine?

Migraine is not a modern disorder.  Along with epilepsy it is the oldest recorded disease known to man, so modern stresses are not to blame. Nor is it just 'nerves' or an ordinary headache. It is defined as a headache that comes at intervals with complete freedom between attacks and it is accompanied by nausea or vomiting and sometimes by visual disturbances: shimmering blanks and scintillating zigzags moving across the field of vision. It affects twice as many women as men and it can be serious enough to disrupt work and family life.

 

 

Migraine Causes

It appears that the tendency to migraine is inherited; this is the loading of the gun but it requires a trigger to set off an attack and these trigger factors are surprisingly varied. They include certain foods such as cheese, chocolate, red wines, fatty foods, citrus fruits. All these contain substances that affect the blood vessels.


Fasting can also precipitate an attack. Sufferers are particularly sensitive to bright lights, loud noises, smells, situations and often take criticism very much to heart. Change in any form can act as a trigger:

  • Change in weather,

  • Holidays,

  • Change in sleep patterns,

  • Change in hormone levels.

Perhaps the most powerful trigger of all is arousal, whether it is caused by something pleasant or unpleasant. All these lower the threshold to migraine for those who have an inborn tendency to it.

 

 

Treatment And Prevention Of Migraine

Migraine is a disorder of blood vessels and most of these trigger factors influence the constriction and dilation of blood vessels in the head. In particular, the stress hormones (the catecholamines), adrenalin and noradrenalin, have an effect on blood vessels --- so relaxation can be helpful in the treatment and prevention of migraine.

  • There are many sufferers have learned to control their attacks by lowering their general arousal by relaxation, understanding more about the nature of migraine and the trigger factors, and by being sensible about diet. If attacks should occur, relaxation during the headache is difficult but will decrease the pain and shorten the attack. Massage (fairly strong) of the back of the neck also helps.

  • Some patients have been trained how to feel for the pain-trigger areas in the forehead and neck. In some people these become especially tender shortly before an attack; steps can then be made to take life more easily, relax when possible and this can sometimes prevent an attack.

More Relaxing Techniques