THE ROLE OF HOMEOPATHY IN TREATING MIGRAINE

Definition
A migraine is a common type of headache that may occur with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light. In many people, a throbbing pain is felt only on one side of the head.
Some people who get migraines have warning symptoms, called an aura, before the actual headache begins. An aura is a group of symptoms, usually vision disturbances, that serve as a warning sign that a bad headache is coming. Most people, however, do not have such warning signs.

Alternative Names
Headache - migraine

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

A lot of people get migraines -- about 11 out of 100. The headaches tend to start between the ages of 10 and 46 and may run in families. Migraines occur more often in women than men. Pregnancy may reduce the number of migraines attacks. At least 60 percent of women with a history of migraines have fewer such headaches during the last two trimesters of pregnancy.
Until the 1980s, scientists believed that migraines were due to changes in blood vessels within the brain. Today, most believe the attack actually begins in the brain itself, and involves various nerve pathways and chemicals in the brain.
A migraine attack can be triggered by stress, food, environmental changes, or some other factor. However, the exact chain of events remains unclear.

Migraine attacks may be triggered by:

Allergic reactions
Bright lights, loud noises, and certain odors or perfumes
Physical or emotional stress
Changes in sleep patterns
Smoking or exposure to smoke
Skipping meals
Alcohol
Menstrual cycle fluctuations, birth control pills
Tension headaches
Foods containing tyramine (red wine, aged cheese, smoked fish, chicken livers, figs, and some beans), monosodium glutamate (MSG), or nitrates (like bacon, hot dogs, and salami)
Other foods such as chocolate, nuts, peanut butter, avocado, banana, citrus, onions, dairy products, and fermented or pickled foods
Symptoms
Migraine headaches, which can be dull or severe, usually:
Feel throbbing, pounding, or pulsating
Are worse on one side of the head
Last 6 to 48 hours
Symptoms accompanying migraines include:
Nausea and vomiting
Sensitivity to light or sound
Loss of appetite
Fatigue
Numbness, tingling, or weakness
Warning signs (auras) that can precede a migraine include seeing stars or zigzag lines, tunnel vision, or a temporary blind spot.
Symptoms that may linger even after the migraine has gone away include:
Feeling mentally dull, like your thinking is not clear or sharp
Increased need for sleep
Neck pain
Signs and tests

Migraine headache may be diagnosed by your doctor based on your symptoms, history of migraines in the family, and your response to treatment. Your doctor will take a detailed history to make sure that your headaches are not due to tension, sinus inflammation, or a more serious underlying brain disorder. During the physical exam, your doctor will probably not find anything wrong with you.
Sometimes an MRI or CT scan is obtained to rule out other causes of headache like sinus inflammation or a brain mass. In the case of a complicated migraine, an EEG may be needed to exclude seizures. Rarely, a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) might be performed.

Treatment

.Homeopathy over the years has been able to greatly help patients suffering with migraine headaches…Once the patient starts on the homeopathic treatment the intensity of the migraine will reduce, the attacks will not happen so frequently as before and over a period of time they will be able to be completely free from attacks of migraine..Most commonly used remedies for migraine are …lachesis,sanguinaria,sepia,iris.vers,pulsatilla,natrum.mur…etc,

Other measures taken along with homeopathic line of treatment is as follows:

Rest in a quiet, darkened room
Drink fluids to avoid dehydration (especially if you have vomited)
Try placing a cool cloth on your head

Expectations (prognosis)
Every person responds differently to treatment. Some people have rare headaches that require little to no treatment. Others require the use of several medications or even occasional hospitalization.
Complications

Migraine headaches generally represent no significant threat to your overall health. However, they can be chronic, recurrent, frustrating, and they may interfere with your day-to-day life.
Stroke is an extremely rare complication from severe migraines. This risk may be due to prolonged narrowing of the blood vessels, limiting blood flow to parts of the brain for an extended period of time.
Prevention

Avoid smoking
Avoid alcohol
Exercise regularly
Get enough sleep each night
Learn to relax and reduce stress -- try progressive muscle relaxation (contracting and releasing muscles throughout your body), meditation, biofeedback, or joining a support group