TOM: Migraine - Vatic Pains: 3

[Guest guest]

Managing Migraine

 

With the increasing use of personal computers in all walks of our

daily routine, the headache has become a modern disease, considered

as normal since most people have it.

If the ache troubles only for some time, nobody pays any attention to

it. This is often the case, after popping a pain-killer. Since the

nervous system is involved, I am writing this mail under TOM.

However, more often, the pain is due to disturbed Kapha and Pitta.

 

This ordinary headache is caused by many reasons. If one finds its

root, it can be cured easily. Sometimes simple constipation or mental

upset condition can cause it, in which cases popping up of a pain

killer will relieve it. This is simplest of headache; however, when

only one side of the head pains, it requires attention and proper

cure. This type of headache is termed migraine. The head controls

whole body and its macro-micro actions.

 

The migraine can cause reduction of sharpness of vision, dark under-

eye circles, throbbing pain in head, sometimes causes vomits also.

The changes in season, climate, pollution etc. may also cause

migraine. The migraine is observed in teenagers and is more prevalent

in women as compared to men. People vulnerable to migraine attack get

adequate symptomatic warning before the attack. Many experience

blemish spots in the regions around eyes; they have family history

also. When migraine attacks occur frequently, they are also

accompanied by acid reflux, vomits, loss of balance etc. In women,

generally migraine strikes before menstrual cycle is to begin. A

typical identification of migraine is that the victim knows a little

before its attack that migraine is round the corner. After its

primary stage, the artery carrying the blood to the brain starts

narrowing and causes pains to appear. Continuous, throbbing, hammer

like pains may occur. The enlargement of artery then causes loss of

balance, vomiting, etc.

 

Experience suggests that the presence of mental tension plays an

important role in the progress of migraine attack. Lack of

Hemoglobin, excess fatigue, cervical spondy-losis, old chronic

infective diseases of intestines, irregular food habits are also many

of the factors causing migraines. A number of hours before T.V. or

computer screen, strong lights emitted by stage lights also cause

this ailment. Both onset of puberty and peri- menopause stage also

cause this state. A number of medical experts have unanimously

accepted that worrying is the prime contributor to onset and chronic

nature of migraine. Until the environment around the patient and

change in the nature of patient is brought about, treatment does not

succeed. The sponylosis plays an important role in this disease. One

should take anti-inflammatory pain killers when an attack comes. Vata

and Pitta need to be pacified. The orally administered medicines

sometimes get vomited out.

 

Those suffering from indigestion or constipation need to take

laxatives depending on their prakruti. Warm ghee, ginger powder and

jaggery mixture, when taken few drops as Nasya reduces the intensity

of migraine. Care is necessary to see that the ghee goes to sinuses

rather than the throat. This needs to be repeated three to four days

for complete cure. A sweet drink (soaked date or raisin crush is

best) first thing in the morning on empty stomach also helps migraine

cure. Pain killers only suppress, one must find the roots and apply

medication at root of the disease.

 

On a difficult mountain trekking route, a simple remedy was told to

me by tribals:

 

Pluck raw guava fruit directly from tree. Grind it on stone with a

little water. The paste which is formed, apply it on aching side of

the head. Keep it there for an hour or so. If the pain does not

vanish same day, just keep repeating the procedure for few days and

see how the pain vanishes magically. They do not know the phyto

chemistry, but cause and effect relationship. City dwellers can try

raw guava fruit from fruit vendor.

 

Headache can be caused by a number of other reasons, which should be

included in diagnosis procedures. For instance, one or more tumors in

the Bain can cause the headache. Allergies and epilepsy can also

cause headache. Mental/emotional headache can also be present. The

diagnosis and treatment can differ if other conditions are detected.

High blood pressure can also cause headache. No pain killer will work

in that case. Many a time, headache starts early morning and

increases by the rise of sun. When sun starts going downwards from

zenith the headache reduces. This behavior is often exhibited by

sinus generated pains. Giloy extract, Godanti Bhasma, Praval Pishti,

Sutsekhar Ras, Shatpatryadi Churnam, Aarogyavardhini Ras are some of

medicines which can be combined to obtain beneficial results in such

cases. Sanshamani Vati can also be added to above list of pitta

pacifiers. Other remedies in such cases include Nasya of Shad Bindu

Taila, Anu Taila, massage in underside of feet, mild laxative to

alleviate constipation. Avoiding moving in hot sun, walking on wet

grass early morning, sleeping early, taking dinner early are some of

the life-style changes which become necessary.

 

Dr. Shirish Bhate