A migraine headache is a severe headache that causes throbbing pain, pulsating sensations and visual disturbances that most commonly occur on one side of the head. Migraines can last for hours or even days, which can deeply impact a person’s quality of life. Migraines are most common between the ages of 15-55 and women are at least two times more likely than men to experience a migraine. Some statistics claim that 12% of the population suffers from migraine headaches.
Some of the common symptoms of a migraine headache are:
– Aura
– Visual disturbances
– Difficulty speaking
– Throbbing pain in one side of the head
– Tingling in the face or arms
– Neck stiffness
– Frequent yawning
– Vision loss
– Weakness
– Nausea and vomiting
If you suffer from migraines it can sometimes feel overwhelming to attempt to figure out what is causing them, what your personal triggers are and what you can do to help them. It is important to work through the possible causes with your healthcare provider but some of the common causes are:
Allergies
Environmental and food allergies and sensitivities are common causes of migraine headaches. Some foods and allergies can trigger inflammation processes in the body that can lead to increased risk of migraine (by a factor of 10). If you have a food sensitivity it can result in an immune response that can occur after ingesting the food, which can trigger a migraine headache. Allergies also trigger the release of histamine, which causes vasodilation (the expansion of blood vessels), a main cause of a migraine headache.
Hormone Imbalance
Hormonal migraines can frequently occur during your period (when estrogen and progesterone suddenly drop, often causing a migraine headache) but they can also happen at other times during your cycle. If your migraine headaches have a cyclical pattern to them (e.g. every 1-2 months around the same time) then it is worth beginning a hormone balancing protocol to ensure your hormones are not contributing to migraine headaches.
Muscular Tension
This is a common cause of a migraine headache. Poor posture, sports and injury can cause muscular tension that can cause a blockage of blood flow and compression on nerves and cause a migraine attack. Finding a physiotherapist, chiropractor or osteopath who understands and has experience with migraine headaches may relieve this.
Dehydration
A common cause of migraine headache (and all other headache types) that I see in clinic is dehydration of the body and brain. Dehydration can also be caused by overhydration, which can cause the kidneys to flush out essential electrolytes and minerals, causing imbalance in the body and actually dehydrate the cells of the body even more.
Nutrient and Vitamin Deficiency
Many studies are linking nutrient deficiencies such as magnesium, B2 (riboflavin) and vitamin D to increasing the likelihood of getting a migraine headache. Therefore, it is essential to ensure adequate intake of vitamin and nutrient levels, but also to ensure there is proper absorption occurring in the digestive system. It is worth getting professional advice from your naturopath or doctor about which supplements will be best for you.
Heavy Metal Toxicity
Studies have found that there are often higher levels of heavy metals in those patients who suffered from migraines in comparison to those who do not. Therefore, it may be worth investigating heavy metal toxicity and ensuring appropriate detoxification channels are working to remove heavy metals from the body, a naturopath can help you do this safe and effectively.
Low Blood Sugar
It is very common that people suffer from migraines when their blood sugar levels (glucose) drop. Therefore, it is an important factor to rule out when assessing the cause of your migraine. Ensure you eat regular meals that contain protein to balance blood sugar levels
Neurotransmitter Imbalance
The common medication prescribed for migraines is a drug called a triptan. Triptans work on the serotonin receptors. This is based on research that concluded when migraine sufferers have an attack, they have lower than normal serotonin levels. Although this may help some people, this medication does not address the cause, simply the symptoms. The neurotransmitter glutamate and lower levels of dopamine in the brain have also been linked to migraine headaches.
Medication Use
Medication use, including migraine medication can cause changes in neurotransmitters, increase toxins in the body, change the gut microbiome and cause dehydration, all factors which can cause a migraine headache. Talk to your doctor or naturopath if you are concerned about these side effects.
Emotional Stress
Very commonly, stress is one of the key causes of migraine headaches. Luckily natural medicine has many tools to support the body and nervous system through times of stress.
If you suffer from migraines and wish to receive an individualised healthcare plan to help you recover from migraines I would love to help.