Migraine

Overview

• A migraine is a severe 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 sensitivity to light and sound.
• Migraine attacks can last hours to days, and a painful headache interferes with daily activities.

Causes of migraine 

• It can depend on genes.
• Family history.
• Certain types of foods – spicy, oily.
• Skipping meals, irregular sleep, lack of physical activities.
• Stress, fear and anxiety.
• Environmental factors.

Symptoms 

 Migraine can progress through four stages. Prodrome, aura, attack, and postdrome but not everyone goes through all four stages.

• Prodrome:

          One or two days before a migraine,  might notice few changes that warn of upcoming migraine.

       Symptoms include.

• Mood changes.
• Constipation.
• Food cravings.
• Increased urination.
• Neck stiffness.

 

• Aura

               For some people, an aura might occur before or during migraine.

      Symptoms are:

• Vision changes
• Pins sensation in an arm or leg.
• Weakness or numbness in the face.
• Difficulty in speaking.

 

• Attack

             A migraine usually lasts 4 to 72 hours if untreated. Migraine occurs rarely or several times a month.

      Symptoms are:

• Pain usually on one side of the head or often on both sides.
• Throbbing or pulsing sensation.
• Sensitivity to light or sound.
• Nausea and vomiting.

 

• Postdrome

• After a migraine attack might feel drained, confused and washed out for up to a day.
• Sudden head movement might bring on the pain again.

 

The Ayurved aspect of migraine

Definition:

• अर्ध: Half side of the head.
• अवभेदक: Penetrating or breaking pain.

 

• Causes:

            रुक्ष अत्य अध्यशनात् पूर्ववातावश्याय मैथुनै: |

           वेगसंधारण आयास व्यायामै: कुपितो अनिल: || चरकसंहिता उतरतंत्र 9/74

 

• Excessive consumption of dry substances.
• Consumption of excessive food.
• Exposure to easterly breeze or fog.
• Excessive sex activity.
• Suppression of natural urges.
• Exhaustion or exercise.

Pathogenesis:

       केवल : सकफो वा अर्ध गृहीत्वा शिरस: तत: | चरक संहिता उतरतंत्र 9/75

• Vata either singly or along with kapha, affecting half of the head produces severe pain.

 

Symptoms:

 

       मन्या अभ्र शंख कर्ण अक्षि ललाट अर्धे अति वेदनाम् ||

       शस्त्र अरिणिनिभां कुर्यात् तीव्रां स: अर्धावभेदक: |

       नयनं वा अथवा श्रोत्रम् अतिवृध्धो विनाशयते | चरक संहिता उतरतंत्र 9/75

 

• Pain is felt like injury by a sharp weapon in the neck, eyebrow, temple, ear, eye, and forehead of the affiliated half of the head.
• Blindness or deafness occurs when the condition may be severe.

 

Treatment:

      चतु: स्नेह उतमा मात्रा शिर: काय: विरेचनम् |

       नाडीस्वेदो घृतं जीणँ बस्तिकर्म अनुवासनम् ||

       उपनाह: शिरोबस्ति: दहनं च अत्र शस्यते |

       प्रतिश्याये शिरोरोगे यत् उदिष्टं चिकित्सितम् || चरक संहिता उतरतंत्र 9/75

• The 4 snehas ( taila, ghrita, vasa, majja) in the proper dosage.
• Purgation.
• Purificatory errhines.
• Steam procedure.
• Old ghee.
• Oil enemas.
• Poultices.
• External oil application.
• Cautery.
• The management said that pratishyaya(rhinitis)and Shiro rog (headache) should also be employed appropriately.