Migraines – Some Causes And Natural Ways To Alleviate Pain
While the exact mechanism of migraine headaches is not fully understood, it is known that a number of foods, environmental factors, and even some over the counter headache medicines can trigger migraines. There is also an ever-increasing body of knowledge about effective ways to prevent migraines, without the use of medicines.
Here are some interesting notes about migraines you may not have known:
Women Affected More
Women may be more susceptible to experiencing migraines due to fluctuations in estrogen levels just before or during their menstrual periods? Other women may be more prone to migraines during pregnancy or menopause. Oral contraceptives can actually worsen migraines.
It’s The Weather
Sensory stimuli such as sun glare, loud noises and bright lights, as well as unusual odors can be a cause. A change in the weather or the barometric pressure can also cause migraines.
Your Diet May Be Painful
Certain foods like aged cheese and salty foods or processed foods with monosodium glutamate (MSG) may trigger migraines. Alcohol and especially red wine and highly caffeinated beverages can also be a cause. Missing meals can be contributing factor.
Cut Out The Stress
Stress can cause migraines. Stress at work or at home can be the culprit. Learning stress reduction skills is important, and often learning how to say no when someone wants you to say yes is vital.
Too Much Medicine Can Be Bad
The overuse of over-the-counter medications can be a cause of the serious problem known as Medication Overuse Headaches (MOH). If these medications are used for more than 10 days a month for three months or in high doses, then you may be creating a larger problem than the one you are trying to solve.
The Blatman Health and Wellness Center can assess the type of headaches you are having and whether you can benefit from natural ways to alleviate the pain and avoid medicines, either the prescription or over-the-counter type. A good example of a natural way is Feverfew which is a herbal headache treatment that many studies have shown can alleviate migraine pain among those who take it daily. A renowned study in England demonstrated that 70 percent of the study participants had reduced migraine pain when taking Feverfew daily.
Other non-medical options to alleviate migraine pain are Lavender Oil, Peppermint Oil, Basil Oil, Flaxseeds and Buckwheat. Diet modification to eliminate migraine food triggers could also be very helpful. Eating a healthy diet while omitting foods like smoked meats and dairy products can help to alleviate the pain and even act as a preventative measure.
Blatman Health and Wellness Center can assist you in developing a healthy and natural non-medicine plan for dealing with migraines. For more information about headaches and migraines in the Cincinnati area, please contact our office today for more information.
For Reference:
