Migraine Relief

28 million people in the United States suffer from migraines, occurring anywhere from once a week to twice a year. Characterized as severe, throbbing, uncomfortable headaches, migraines are usually accompanied by nausea, visual disturbances, plus many other symptoms.

Migraines tend to run in the family, signaling that it could be some genetic component that causes them. Women are more likely than men to suffer from a migraine. This is believed to be because of the fluctuations in the level of the hormone estrogen, often occurring during menstruation, when estrogen levels are low.

Migraines can occur suddenly and without cause. Any number of things can trigger a migraine in a susceptible individual, including allergies, constipation, stress, liver malfunction, too little or too much sleep, emotional changes, hormonal changes, sun glare, changes in weather, flashing lights, lack of exercise, cigarette smoke, and certain medications.

Symptoms of a Migraine:

• Lasting between 4 and 72 hours
• Pain on one or both sides of the head
• Blurred vision
• Nausea
• Acute sensitivity to sound, light, or smells
• Weakness
• Numbness in the face, hands, or legs
• Speech difficulties
• Visual auras (vision loss, seeing flashing lights or “squiggly” lines)
• Red or watery eyes
• Runny nose
• Tenderness in the neck and scalp

Many dietary factors can also trigger migraines, including foods containing the amino acids aspartame and glutamate and the irregular intake of products high in caffeine.

By eliminating some of these foods from your diet, you and your doctor could pinpoint which foods trigger your migraine.

Foods that Should be Avoided for Migraine Relief:

• Foods and beverages containing the substance called tyramine
• Beer, ale, and robust wines
• Chianti
• Vermouth
• Homemade breads
• Cheese and sour cream
• Bananas
• Red plums
• Figs
• Raisins
• Avocados
• Fava beans
• Italian broad beans
• Green bean pods
• Eggplant
• Pickled herring
• Liver
• Canned meats
• Salami
• Yogurt
• Chocolate
• Soy sauce
• NutraSweet
• Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)

Natural Cures for Migraine Relief:

Feverfew:

When it comes to migraine relief, feverfew is one of the most well-known and well-studied herbs.

Believed to reduce both the frequency and intensity of headaches, feverfew will help to alleviate pain.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids:

Preliminary evidence suggests that consuming omega-3 fatty acids daily will help to reduce the frequency and severity of migraines.

Ribo Flavin (Vitamin B12):

Riboflavin is known to effectively reduce the frequency and duration of migraines attacks.