• Admin
• May 07, 2024
• Disease Management & Precautions

Causes and Treatment of Migraine Headaches

Migraine headaches are not like tension headaches because they are felt on one side of the head, are accompanied by a throbbing sensation, burning sensation behind the eye and nausea. There are many causes of migraine headaches including lifestyle, stress, emotional issues, noise and foods.

Today life is no longer simple but tension filled, fast paced and accompanied by constant worries. According to Ayurveda an imbalanced lifestyle and poor dietary habits affects the Pitta dosha which is the main reason for migraine headaches.  Some headaches are also caused by an imbalance in the Vata dosha.

Pitta dosha is associated with fire so when heat builds up in the blood vessels it creates pressure in the nervous system leading to migraine headaches. Improper diet habits including overeating affects the digestive system which leads to constipation, gas and acidity. These cause an imbalance in the Vata dosha which can also give rise to migraine.

Yoga and meditation

According to Ayurveda the most effective treatment for migraine headaches is a change in lifestyle, dietary habits and emotional balance. So wake up early and after bathing carry out your prayers, pranayama, meditation and yoga for 30 minutes. These have a calming effect on the nervous system and can reduce emotional and mental stress. Yoga asana that have a calming effect on the mind can be learnt like moon salutation, boat pose, bow pose and certain spinal twists are good for migraines caused by Pitta dosha. Pranayama that has a cooling effect on the pitta is also good for migraine  

Diet

It is important to have a balanced diet so that migraine does not get triggered by foods. Eating simple yet nutritious meals is helpful. For breakfast you can have

sprouted moong dal with raisins and some fruit like apple, guava, sapodilla (chikoo), etc. have a bowl of green vegetable like chenopodium leaves (bathua), green fenugreek (methi), spinach or gourd. Have ground wheat (dalia) or semolina porridge, roasted horse gram, five almonds, walnuts and pistachios. Drink a glass of cow’s milk with half spoon of turmeric. If you have acidity, drink one glass of cold milk from the fridge on an empty stomach in the morning.

Lunch should be composed of dal, chapattis, vegetable, salad, soup and buttermilk.

Always have your meals at the right time. In the evening at around 4 to 5 p.m. have fruit, milk, soup and roasted gram dal. Dinner must be light and spice free. If you are overweight you can miss the night meal and have a glass of warm milk instead. Drink water 30 minutes prior to meals and 30 minutes after meals. Avoid non-vegetarian food including eggs. For an effective cure you need to avoid constipation.

For mental health you need to acquire positive thinking, remain tension free and avoid negative emotions like anger and jealousy. Before taking a bath massage your body with mustard oil. Also take five drops of mustard or almond oil and sniff it up into your nostrils. Do this for forty days.