A migraine is a headache that can cause severe throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation, usually on one side of the head. It is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound.

SYMPTOMS OF MIGRAINE

It can progress through four stages:

1. Prodrome

2. Aura,

3. Attack and

4. Post-drome.

Not everyone who has migraines goes through all stages.

1. Prodrome

One or two days before a migraine, one might notice subtle changes that warn of an upcoming migraine, including:

• Constipation
• Mood changes, from depression to euphoria
• Food cravings
• Neck stiffness
• Increased thirst and urination
• Frequent yawning

2. Aura

For some people, aura might occur before or during migraines. Auras are reversible symptoms of the nervous system. They are usually visual, but can also include other disturbances. Each symptom usually begins gradually, builds up over several minutes and lasts for 20 to 60 minutes.

Examples of migraine aura include:

• Visual phenomena, such as seeing various shapes, bright spots or flashes of light
• Vision loss
• Pins and needles sensations in an arm or leg
• Weakness or numbness in the face or one side of the body
• Difficulty speaking
• Hearing noises or music
• Uncontrollable jerking or other movements

3. Attack

A migraine usually lasts from 4 to 72 hours if untreated but it varies from person to person. Migraines might occur rarely or strike several times a month.

During a migraine,one might have:

• Pain usually on one side of head, but often on both sides
• Pain that throbs or pulses
• Sensitivity to light, sound, and sometimes smell and touch
• Nausea and vomiting

4. Post-drome

After a migraine attack, one might feel

• Drained,
• Confused and
• Washed out for up to a day

CAUSES OF MIGRAINE

The exact cause of migraine is unknown.It my be genetics or environmental factors my be the cause. Some changes in the brainstem and its interactions with the trigeminal nerve is a major pain pathway which might be involved. So might imbalances in brain chemicals including serotonin, which helps regulate pain in our nervous system.

There are so many trigger factors for Migraine,including

• Hormonal changes in women-Fluctuations in estrogen, such as before or during menstrual periods, pregnancy and menopause, seem to trigger headaches in many women.

  Hormonal medications, such as oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy, also can worsen migraines.

• Drinks-These include alcohol, especially wine, and too much caffeine, such as coffee.
• Stress-Stress at work or home can cause migraines.
• Sensory stimuli-Bright lights and sun glare can induce migraines, as can loud sounds. Strong smells — including perfume, paint thinner, secondhand smoke and others — trigger migraines in some people.
• Sleep changes-Missing sleep, getting too much sleep or jet lag can trigger migraines in some people.
• Physical factors- Intense physical exertion, including sexual activity, might provoke migraines.
• Weather changes- A change of weather or barometric pressure can prompt a migraine.
• Medications-Oral contraceptives and vasodilators, such as nitroglycerin, can aggravate migraines.
• Foods-Aged cheeses and salty and processed foods might trigger migraines. So might skipping meals or fasting.
• Food additives-These include the sweetener aspartame and the preservative monosodium glutamate (MSG), found in many foods.

RISK FACTORS OF MIGRAINE

• Family history
• Age
• Hormonal changes

COMPLICATIONS OF MIGRAINE

• EPILEPSY
• ANXIETY
• DEPRESSION
• VERTIGO
• SLEEPLEESSNESS
• NAUSEA & VOMITING

HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT FOR MIGRAINE:

Glonoinum : Most helpful medicine for migraine with excessive congestion in the head. There is feeling that head feels very large, as if it would burst. There is extreme heaviness in the head.Given when Uncovering the head relieves the headache. Very-very helpful for migraine when triggered by sun exposure.

EPIPHEGUS : Very useful for migraine which is caused by mental or physical exhausation. Useful where the slightest deviation from routine work brings on a migraine attack.Helpful for both sided migraine but comparatively better work in left-sided headaches.Most recommended when migraine is associated with increased saliva with constant inclination to spit.

NATRUM MUR : Useful for migraine attacks that worsen around the menstrual cycle when headache may be triggered before, during or at the close of the menstrual cycle.Mostly recommended for migraine headache that starts with sunrise, continues through the day and vanishes after sunset.Very useful where the migraine headache feels like little hammers knocking on the brain.

BELLADONNA : Very helpful for migraine headaches with intense throbbing, pulsating headaches.There is an extreme fullness in the head.

RL-6 : For Migraine and Headache