Migraines : Can we prevent it?

Migraine is a pathology marked by severe headache. It can last several hours or even 2 or 3 days. Women are more affected than men. Sometimes, the pain is so strong that you can’t even work and need to stay at home, in a quiet room with no light and no sound because you are very sensitive when a crisis occurs. It typically occurs on one side of the head near the temples. Other frequent symptoms are nausea; vomiting and vision problems. 

The physiological basis of migraine is not all known and scientists keep on their researches because it affects a lot of people: 24 million people in the United States. The consequences are important : poor job performance, medical costs, day off work. 
It seems to be a neurological problem in which brain chemicals, nerves and blood vessels are involved.

Most of the time, we can find trigger such as flashing lights, emotional stress and anxiety, lack of sleep and hormonal changes. 

The role played by tyramine is still controversial: 
Tyramine is a substance, created from the breakdown of tyrosin, an amino acid, we can find in aged, fermented and stored foods. It seems to cause blood vessel constriction first and then they dilate. That’s why some experts recommend to avoid or limit foods such as cheese, pickles or soy sauce. But there is no studies to prove it. 

Hormonal changes can also cause migraine: we have found a link between migraine and menstrual cycle. They occur a few days before or during periods because of a drop of estrogen level. Pills can sometimes help to prevent it when migraine is so strong that you can’t bear it.

However, the best thing to do is to find out what your triggers are and thus you can avoid it. No need studies for that…. 

Anti-inflammatories are the most common drugs used to soothe the pain such as ibuprofen or aspirin. But it only treats symptoms….

So what can I do?

Well, the first thing to do is to see a naturopath: migraine appears when there is an imbalance in your body. The naturopath will check all of your body systems. 

Cell poisoning
Until the beginning of the industrial era, mankind was mostly confronted with natural aggressors from the environment. His main enemies were toxic fruits, poisonous mushrooms, allergenic plants, poisonous animals and various microbes.
Since the early 19th century however, the body has increasingly been under attack. The multiplication of chemical agents around us has caused us to suffer the consequences of progress. The tensions of modern life cause a state of stress that inhibits emunctory functions and worsens the overall poisoning of the body. Thus, the lives we lead in modern Western societies, amidst pollution and under a great deal of psychological stress, cause the body to develop various acute illnesses. If toxin overload persists, chronic illnesses eventually appear.
By not eating enough vegetables rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, enzymes and natural biological substances, Westerners are “digging their own graves with their teeth”. Though our environment is increasingly polluted, it is still possible to keep fit by becoming familiar with health and by learning how to maintain it.

A body overloaded with toxins is in a physiologically poisoned state. Our physiological environment, this vast “aquarium” in which our cells bathe, is polluted. When our body is not fed properly, our cells suffer from deficiencies in vitamins and minerals. A cell in a
depleted and toxic environment is in danger: it does not heal, becomes more prone to cancer and prematurely dies from an accumulation of waste.
Toxemia largely depends on our choices and lifestyles: we model our body by feeding it, exercising it, exhausting it or resting it. Our stress lodges into it, our toxins build up in it, and our sedentariness softens it.
Our body accumulates chemicals, which circulate in our arteries and cause a plethora of diseases.
Even medical treatments, based on the intake of chemicals, are sources of pollution and cancer.

Functional Disease
Functional disease is the state of ill-being and lowered resistance of an organism whose functions are disrupted. Headaches, migraines and various pains, eczema, eruptions, vomiting, general weariness, depression, etc. are all attempts made by the body to rid itself of its toxic overload.

Nutrition and detoxication
Most of the time, there is a work to do about nutrition. Indeed, nutrition is tied to migraines because they reflect an intoxication of the body. So we need to detoxify and then learn how to eat in a good and healthy way. 
How? Drainage agents can help such as fasts and cures. Massages improve blood and lymph circulation so as toxins elimination. 

Biofeedback and relaxation training are also very useful. It can soothe the pain as well as medication but with far less side-effects… Acupuncture seems to help too. Researchers have recently published the first large-scale study that aims to examine the effectiveness of acupuncture under real-life conditions (March 15 issue of the British Medical Journal). They conclude their study saying “acupuncture is a relatively cost-effective headache therapy compared with other treatments covered by the National Health Service of the United Kingdom”. So it is really encouraging and less dangerous than using drugs on a chronic manner. 
Plants and phytotherapy can also help you: mentha piperita essential oil is wonderful. Apply 2 drops on the temples and massage! You will feel better.

 So do not let migraines poison your life, there are solutions!

As we are in December, the AMCC team wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!