Archive for the ‘Natural Migraine Treatments’ Category
Monday, June 10th, 2013
In addition to helping with migraines, Coenzyme Q10 is also beneficial for heart health, according to a recent study focusing on heart failure in people with CoQ10 deficiency. This is good news for migraine patients, as heart attack and stroke are risk factors often associated with chronic migraines.
CoQ10 boosts heart health
Coenzyme Q10 is a powerful antioxidant that may also help to maintain healthy heart muscles. Commenting on his study on CoQ10 for chronic heart failure, which began in 2003, Professor Svend Aage Mortensen from Copenhagen University Hospital says that patients of heart disease require CoQ10 supplements for two reasons:
- In many patients who suffer from heart failure, coenzyme Q10 levels are dangerously low, and continue to fall in correlation with the severity of heart failure symptoms.
- Cholesterol-blocking statins used to treat heart failure also interfere with CoQ10 absorption, increasing your risk for coenzyme Q10 depletion.
Top 25 Natural Migraine Treatments: Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs
Dr. Mortensen presented the results of his study at the European Heart Failure Congress 2013, proclaiming CoQ10 as the single most important treatment for cardiovascular health in over 10 years.
In the randomized double blind trial, patients who received coenzyme Q10 responded more favorably in relation to major adverse cardiac events, as opposed to patients who received the placebo, by a difference of 14%-25%.
“CoQ10 is the first medication to improve survival in chronic heart failure since ACE inhibitors and beta blockers more than a decade ago and should be added to standard heart failure therapy,” says Mortensen.
“…( conventional heart failure treatments) block rather than enhance cellular processes, and may have side effects.”
Conversely, coenzyme Q10 is a perfectly safe and natural nutrient, causes no harmful side effects, and restores cellular energy to the heart at a time when it’s most needed, following heart failure.
What is CoQ10?
Coenzyme Q10 is a natural nutrient that occurs in many meat and vegetable products. CoQ10 carries electrons within the mitochondria, helping to boost energy while also serving as a therapeutic antioxidant.
For heart health, doctors recommend CoQ10 tablets, as food sources don’t contain enough of the essential nutrient to provide optimum cardiovascular health benefits after heart failure.
CoQ10 is also recommended by migraine specialists as a helpful natural ingredient proven in countless studies to significantly promote neurological health in migraine patients, especially when used in conjunction with magnesium, riboflavin, and butterbur.
Your turn!
Do you have any questions or suggestions? Please leave your comments below.
Share with your friends!
If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, twitter, or Facebook.
Like this? Read more:
Migraines and Epilepsy: 4 Commonly Asked Questions
Migraine Headaches and Hypertension: What’s the Link?
Sources:
First Drug to Significantly Improve Heart Failure Mortality in Over a Decade
Overview on coenzyme Q10 as adjunctive therapy in chronic heart failure. Rationale, design and end-points of “Q-symbio”–a multinational trial
Image courtesy of qualitystockphotos
Tags: coenzyme q10, CoQ10, Heart health, migraine and heart disease, migraine headaches, migraine treatments, Natural migraine prevention
Posted in Natural Migraine Treatments | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 29th, 2013
What can a migraine alert dog do for you? The real question is: Why didn’t we all think of this sooner? Out of all the effective natural therapies available for chronic migraines, alert dogs are possibly the most overlooked. Here are 3 ways your migraine alert dog can help.
Migraines with aura alert
Service dogs aren’t just for the blind- many organizations train dogs to provide emotional support and handicap services for people who are in wheelchairs, as well as people who are at risk for seizures from epilepsy or diabetes. In many respects, a migraine with aura is similar to a seizure, so a migraine alert dog can be helpful to warn you when a migraine is approaching, giving you advance warning to lie down and take preventative actions.
Migraines and Epilepsy: 4 Commonly Asked Questions
For more information on adopting or training a migraine alert dog, visit Pawsibilities and Dogster.
Stress management
The more stressed you are, the likelier you are to have a migraine attack; that’s a direct correlation that has been proven time after time in various scientific studies on migraine triggers.
Likewise, many studies have been conducting proving the therapeutic benefits of having a pet- especially a dog- in relieving stress, anxiety, depression, and yes- even pain. Enter the migraine alert dog…
Pain experts say that just petting a dog for 15-30 minutes triggers feel-good chemicals in your brain that help to quiet pain signals and lessen even excruciating migraine headache pain. Plus, your dog likes it, too!
Ease Stress, Effortlessly! 5 Migraine Management Tips
Workout buddy
Daily exercise is an effective way of relieving stress and reducing migraines naturally, but only if you stick to the routine. You don’t have to lift weights, join an aerobics class, or even work yourself up into a sweat to benefit, but you do have to keep it regular and try not to “fall off the wagon.”
According to many studies, having a workout buddy- or a migraine dog that needs daily walking- significantly increases your likeliness to stay with the program.
Exercise or Topamax: Which would you pick for Migraine Prevention?
What are other natural migraine therapies?
Do you already have a dog that helps you manage migraines? Good! Here are some other natural migraine therapies that don’t require prescription medication:
- Natural supplementation of vitamins, herbs, and minerals that benefit migraine sufferers, including the big four: Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), butterbur, and magnesium.
- Acupuncture
- Yoga and tai chi
- Relaxation techniques
- Aromatherapy
- Stress management counseling
- Exercise
- Restrictive dieting
- Keeping a migraine diary
Your turn!
Do you have any questions or suggestions? Please leave your comments below.
Share with your friends!
If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, twitter, or Facebook.
Like this? Read more:
OTC Painkillers- How do they Work, What are the Risks?
Top 25 Natural Migraine Treatments: Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs
Image courtesy of federico stevanin/freedigitalphotos
Tags: chronic migraines, migraine alert, Migraine alert dog, Migraine disability, migraine dog therapy, migraine headache, Migraine therapy, Migraine warning, migraines with aura, Natural therapies
Posted in Natural Migraine Treatments | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013
There are many natural, alternative therapies that help migraine headaches dramatically- one underrated ingredient that has entered the spotlight recently is ginger root. In addition to supplementing with vitamin B2, magnesium, coenzyme Q10, and butterbur, health experts are also recommending this natural ingredient, proven to help people suffering from chronic migraines.
Can ginger help migraines?
According to a migraine study just released by Phytotherapy Research, using natural ingredients such as ginger to help symptoms of migraines is significantly effective for a large number of migraine patients. For the study, they examined the efficacy of ginger powder for migraine attacks, compared to the triptans such as Imitrex, which are commonly prescribed for preventing migraines.
They found that gentle ginger extracts provided positive results that paralleled Imitrex, without causing any of the dangerous side effects associated with prescription migraine medications.
The study
In the double-blind, randomized clinical trial, 100 patients who regularly experience migraines were randomly provided with one of two medications: sumatriptan (Imitrex) or natural ginger powder.
Scientists took into account migraine headache severity, duration of head pain, and time between onset of migraine attacks and medication usage for each patient, for a total of five consecutive migraine attacks thereafter.
The results
It made almost no difference if test subjects used prescription-strength sumatriptan or all-natural supplements such as ginger root.
Two hours after taking medication, regardless of whether they received the Imitrex pills or the ginger, patients reported similar results.
And when asked if they were satisfied with the help they received for migraines, and if they were willing to continue usage, patients similarly gave the same positive response for either treatment.
What about side effects?
Side effect results, however, vastly differ.
The majority of prescription migraine medications such as Imitrex and Topiramate create debilitating side effects that include severe dizziness, memory loss, fatigue, heart palpitations, and sometimes, headaches.
Migraine Medication Pros and Cons: the Basics
Conversely, ginger extracts and other natural ingredients for migraine help by supporting good health- boosting neurological functioning, sustaining normal blood pressure, supporting red blood cell production for oxygen, and destroying free radicals that cause inflammation.
Get more natural migraine help
Countless similar studies have been conducted pointing to the benefits of natural herbs, vitamins, and minerals for people who suffer migraines.
Overwhelmingly, scientists found that a combination of butterbur, riboflavin (vitamin B2), CoQ10, and magnesium provided the most significant results when compared to prescription migraine drugs.
To begin supplementing with natural ingredients that help migraines, consult in your primary care doctor, neurologist, or migraine headache specialist.
Your turn!
Do you have any questions or suggestions? Please leave your comments below.
Share with your friends!
If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, twitter, or Facebook.
Like this? Read more:
Why use Natural Migraine Treatments?
Top 25 Natural Migraine Treatments: Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) for Chronic Pain
Sources:
Comparison Between the Efficacy of Ginger and Sumatriptan in the Ablative Treatment of the Common Migraine
Image courtesy of blucolt/flickr
Tags: help for migraines, Imitrex migraine, migraine headaches, migraine medications, natural migraine
Posted in Natural Migraine Treatments | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 1st, 2013
Migraine patients in the UK are warned not to use a certain Chinese herb that has been declared unsafe, possibly even fatal. While complementary medicine is an effective tool for preventing migraines, one cannot assume that all “natural ingredients” are necessarily good…or wise to use.
Please note: All medications, including natural herbs and supplements for migraines should be used only in conjunction with your doctor’s approval and supervision. Never begin a new migraine headache treatment without first consulting a physician.
Monkshood
A popular Chinese herbal treatment for migraines, marketed as Zheng Tian Wan may be harmful to your health, even poisonous, say experts. The medication contains aconite, or “monkshood,” an herb linked to nervous system disorders and heart disease. In ancient Greek times, aconite was referred to as “Queen of Poisons” for its toxic effect on the cardiovascular system.
Patients taking the Chinese herb for migraines were hospitalized for kidney problems, severe vertigo, and painful numbness in the extremities, in addition to heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and chest pains.
Why use Natural Migraine Treatments?
Butterbur
Another Chinese herb, butterbur, has been the focus of many scientific experiments in migraine prevention.
Butterbur is an ancient shrubbery that has been used safely for generations to support healthy functions vital to migraine management. Hypertension, sinus congestion, and neurological disorders are all triggers of migraine headaches. Overwhelmingly, migraine patients who take butterbur pills daily find amazing results.
Still, it’s important to use caution with butterbur supplements, as many manufacturers use unsafe methods in preparing butterbur extracts for production. Always look for butterbur pills that don’t contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), a potentially toxic ingredient that must be removed from the butterbur plant during processing.
Chinese supplements for migraines containing butterbur should also present a “PA-free” logo on the packaging, as an assurance of safety.
Your turn!
What natural medications, including Chinese herbs, do you currently use for migraines?
After reading this, would you consider trying safe alternative treatments for migraines containing butterbur, magnesium, CoQ10, and riboflavin?
Do you have any questions or suggestions? Please leave your comments below.
Share with your friends!
If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, twitter, or Facebook.
Like this? Read more:
Top 25 Natural Migraine Treatments: Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) for Chronic Pain
Beat Menstrual Migraines, Naturally!
Sources:
Chinese Herbal Medicine Treatment For Migraines Is ‘Potentially Toxic’, Say Experts
Popular Chinese medicine used for migraines could be FATAL, warn health watchdogs
Image courtesy of Smabs Sputzer/flickr
Tags: Butterbur for migraines, Chinese herbs migraines, natural migraine treatments
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Monday, April 15th, 2013
How does magnesium help with migraines? Let us count the ways…Magnesium is an essential nutrient that targets many of the physical and neurological migraine triggers which increase your risk for chronic migraine attacks.
No one “miracle cure” can stop migraines, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have options. To prevent or lower migraine attacks, it’s important to be able to reduce the number of triggers in your life that result in symptoms of migraines, such as crushing headaches, nausea, dizziness, eye pain, and intense fatigue.
Magnesium reduces triggers
In addition to avoiding food ingredients that cause migraines, it helps to know what nutrients you should take to lower your risk for an attack.
Of all the natural supplements that benefit migraine patients, magnesium is one of the most talked-about, and for good reason…
Many scientific studies have confirmed an unusually high incidence of magnesium deficiency in patients of migraine disorder, leading researchers to believe that low levels of magnesium may be a common trigger of chronic migraines.
Magnesium- for Migraines and Beyond
Magnesium is also good for your heart, mental health, and your nervous system; it will help you sleep better, digest food more effectively, and stay hydrated.
Supplementing with magnesium helps your body function normally, thus improving your chances of having a migraine-free day, week, month…and life.
Magnesium benefits, in a nutshell
Magnesium promotes hundreds of crucial biochemical reactions throughout your body. Here are some of the top benefits that magnesium provides in managing migraines.
• Magnesium helps to maintain healthy blood pressure.
• Magnesium helps to relax the muscles.
• Magnesium supports good bone density.
• Magnesium supplementation prevents symptoms of deficiency that increase your risk for stroke and heart disease, both of which are also correlated to migraines.
• Magnesium has proved beneficial for patients suffering from depression, insomnia, anxiety, and agitation, comorbid conditions of migraine.
How much magnesium do I need?
Most of us don’t get nearly enough magnesium from diet alone. Some of the riches sources- kelp, nuts, and wheat germ- are not staple ingredients of the American diet.
Not only that, but the foods that many of us do consume in abundance- sugar, salt, and sodas- are all notorious for draining magnesium from your body and causing magnesium deficiency.
The only way to make certain you’re getting enough magnesium is to take it in pill form.
To prevent magnesium deficiency and manage migraines more efficiently, doctors recommend taking about 400 to 1,000 mg of magnesium supplements each day.
Your turn!
Do you have any questions or suggestions? Please leave your comments below.
Share with your friends!
If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, twitter, or Facebook.
Like this? Read more:
Top 25 Natural Migraine Treatments: Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs
Vitamin B2- Why Riboflavin Rules for Migraines
Coenzyme Q10 Benefits with Migraines
Sources:
Top 5 Health Benefits of Magnesium
Magnesium: The Most Powerful Relaxation Mineral Available
Image(s) courtesy of chokphoto/FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Tags: magnesium, Magnesium for migraine, migraine treatment, migraine triggers, natural migraine, Stop migraine
Posted in Natural Migraine Treatments | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 19th, 2013
According to the leading experts in natural migraine management, riboflavin, otherwise known as vitamin B2, tops the list as one of the most beneficial nutrients for chronic sufferers of migraine headaches. If you experience constant headaches, neck pain, or nausea as a result of migraine disorder, then you should add extra riboflavin to your daily vitamin regimen.
Please note- this does not constitute medical advice. Never start any new migraine treatment, including natural supplements, without first confiding in your doctor.
Riboflavin sustains allover health
Riboflavin, vitamin B2, is a vital nutrient for neurological health, red blood cell production, and for converting carbohydrates into energy. Low levels of riboflavin are a possible cause of fatigue and headaches, and may worsen symptoms of migraines.
10 Ridiculously Healthy Vitamins for Women Migraine Patients
If you’re not getting enough riboflavin in your diet, then you may experience symptoms like:
- Itchy, burning eyes
- Hypersensitivity to bright lights
- Sore tongue
- Mouth sores
- Chapped lips
- Skin rash
Riboflavin is endorsed by migraine doctors
Many studies on migraine prophylaxis have been conducted which confirm the beneficial properties of riboflavin supplementation for migraines.
Scientists found that migraine patients who took regimented doses of riboflavin found significant results over a 3-month period, without side effects.
It’s uncertain exactly what causes migraines, but some experts believe that riboflavin deficiency may be an underlying influence of migraine frequency.
How do I get enough riboflavin?
To manage migraines naturally, doctors recommend experimenting with 400mg of riboflavin each day. As there is no upper limit established with vitamin B2, there is no risk of accidentally overdosing.
In addition to taking vitamin B2 supplements, you can increase dietary sources of riboflavin by including plenty of B2-rich foods such as dairy products, enriched cereals, seafood, meat, and green leafy veggies.
Your turn!
Do you have any questions or suggestions? Please leave your comments below.
Share with your friends!
If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, Facebook, or Google+.
Like this? Read more:
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) in Natural Migraine Ingredients
Getting Enough Magnesium…Are you?
Sources:
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) Medline Plus
Top 5 Signs of Vitamin B2 Deficiency
Image(s) courtesy of ambro/FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Tags: Migraine headache prevention, natural migraine supplements, Riboflavin for migraines, vitamin B2
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Tuesday, February 12th, 2013
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is one of the most essential nutrients for your wellbeing, touted for its usefulness in sustaining neurological health in people with migraines, as well as boosting longevity, increasing energy, and supporting cardiovascular functioning.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a vitamin-like substance that your body produces for energy and cellular metabolism, and is also a valuable antioxidant. As you age, your body produces less CoQ10, necessitating the need for supplementation in order to avoid deficiency.
Coenzyme Q10 has been the focus of many scientific studies for its valuable properties in migraine prevention, as well as heart disease and neurodegenerative illness.
Increasingly, researchers are noticing a broad spectrum of health benefits that may be attained through this oft-neglected supplement.
Migraines and CoQ10
Taken together with magnesium, CoQ10 has provided optimum results in more than half of migraine patients who participated in several randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials on migraine prophylaxis.
Positive health benefits of CoQ10 in migraine management were apparent for migraine with aura patients and migraine without aura patients alike.
Additionally, CoQ10 deficiency is thought to be a trigger of migraine headaches in adults and teens.
CoQ10 has been used to treat neurodegenerative disorders such as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Scientists believe that its neurological health properties may also benefit patients of migraine disorder, which is also a disorder of the nervous system.
CoQ10 and your heart
Coenzyme Q10 is most popularly known for its effectiveness in cardiovascular medicine, as it helps to sustain normal blood pressure and regulates LDL cholesterol. Since heart disease is a risk factor for migraine with aura patients, CoQ10 does double duty by reducing your chance of migraines and heart disease at the same time.
Treatment
To benefit from CoQ10 in treating migraines, ask your doctor to give you a screening for coenzyme Q10 deficiency, and ask about the appropriate dosage for your age and health profile.
Your turn!
Do you have any questions or suggestions? Please leave your comments below.
Share with your friends!
If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, Facebook, or Google+.
Like this? Read more:
10 Ridiculously Healthy Vitamins for Women Migraine Patients
Migraine Headaches and Hypertension: What’s the Link?
Top 25 Natural Migraine Treatments: Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs
Sources:
Efficacy of coenzyme Q10 in migraine prophylaxis: a randomized controlled trial.
CoQ10 Deficiency Implicated in Migraine Headache Pain in Teens
CoQ10 helps heal neurodegenerative disease: Study
Image(s) courtesy of renjith Krishnan/FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Tags: coenzyme q10, CoQ10, CoQ10 and migraine, natural migraine treatments
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Friday, November 9th, 2012
There is no cure for migraines, but there are many natural migraine treatments that promote healthy responses in chronic headache patients of migraine disorder. Here is a list of the 25 herbs, vitamins, and minerals that are most prescribed by natural migraine treatment practitioners.
Note: Never begin any new migraine treatment before first speaking with your doctor. Even “natural remedies” can have dangerous side effects if used incorrectly or without taking into account any current medications or underlying health conditions.
Below are 25 beneficial nutrients- vitamins, minerals, herbs, and spices- for natural migraine treatment.
1- Butterbur (Petasites hybridus): Butterbur supplements have been the focus of many studies on natural migraine prevention. Researchers have found encouraging evidence in support of using 50-75mg of butterbur extracts daily for at least three months for optimal health in patients suffering from migraines, asthma, and muscle spasms. Caution: Avoid butterbur supplements that contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA’s), a known carcinogen. Look for butterbur extracts carrying the label “PA-free.”
Also read: Conquer Allergies and Migraine Headaches with Butterbur- a Migraineur’s Best Friend
2- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): Alternative medical practitioners recommend about 400mg of riboflavin, taken daily, for about three months. Riboflavin benefits migraine sufferers by promoting cellular metabolism and reducing the effect of oxidative damage.
Also read: Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) in Natural Migraine Ingredients
3- Coenzyme Q10: Coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant that benefits migraine patients by increasing blood flow to the brain, sustaining healthy circulation, regulating blood-sugar levels, and supporting cellular metabolism. Doctors recommend 60mg-100mg of coenzyme Q10 daily for effective natural migraine management.
4- Magnesium: Some migraine patients suffer from magnesium deficiency, a common trigger of migraine attacks. Health experts recommend beginning with 200mg of magnesium per day, to be increased to 1,000mg if needed. Magnesium helps to sustain health neurological functioning.
Also read: Magnesium- for Migraines and Beyond
5- Omega-3’s: Omega-3 fatty acids have been found to sustain healthy responses to inflammation in people suffering from migraines. Experts recommend approximately 1,000mg of omega-3 fatty acid supplements daily.
6- 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP): 5-HTP is produced by an amino acid, tryptophan, and is helpful for serotonin management. Doctors suggest 5-HTP as a natural migraine treatment for headaches caused by vascular disorders as a result of low serotonin.
7- Feverfew: Feverfew has been the focus of several studies on natural migraine treatment. Although not clinically proven to have a singular effect on migraine headaches, many Chinese medicine practitioners endorse feverfew tablets for improving inflammatory responses to migraine triggers in the blood vessels.
8- Coffee: For some, caffeine is a migraine trigger. For others, however, a cup of coffee can do wonders to effectively relieve migraine headaches.
9- Ginger: Ginger is helpful for relieving nausea and vomiting caused by migraine attacks.
10- Ginkgo biloba: Some migraine patients have found beneficial properties in ginkgo biloba extracts in naturally treating migraines.
11- Bay laurel: Bay laurel contains many of the same beneficial properties of feverfew in treating migraines naturally.
12- Valerian: Valerian is helpful for reducing stress that triggers migraine attacks.
13- Peppermint: Peppermint promotes gastrointestinal health in alleviating nausea, stomach cramps or vomiting associated with migraines.
14- Cinnamon: Cinnamon has many natural painkilling properties which work by improving inflammatory responses.
15- Lavender: Lavender has an overall calming effect on the body, and is helpful for migraine patients suffering from stress and anxiety.
16- Lemon balm: Lemon balm tea relaxes the stomach muscles and eases the nerves.
17- Vervain: Vervain is another herb that is beneficial for natural migraine treatment of nausea.
18- Jamaican dogwood: Jamaican dogwood tea beneficial for neurological functioning.
19- Kava: Kava contains therapeutic phytochemicals that promote relaxation in the nerves and muscles.
20- Skullcap: Skullcap is one of many herbs that promote mental balance and tranquility.
21- Xiao yao wan: The Chinese herb Xiao yao wan treats migraines naturally be helping to rid the body of toxins which trigger headaches.
22- Rosemary: Inhaling the invigorating scent of rosemary oil is often helpful for patients of chronic pain.
23- Juniper: Like rosemary, juniper oils are also an effective natural migraine treatment.
24- Cayenne: Topical creams containing cayenne are helpful for relieving neck stiffness, back pain, and sore joints.
25- Chasteberry: For treating menstrual migraines, many health experts recommend drinking several cups of chasteberry tea daily.
Please tell us…
What natural migraine treatments do you currently use?
Do you have any questions or suggestions? Please leave your comments below.
Share with your friends!
If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, Facebook, or Google+.
Like this? Read more:
Introducing Natural Ingredients for Migraines- Tips for Success
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) for Chronic Pain
Sources:
Little-known Herb Butterbur Cures Symptoms of Migraine Headaches
Supplements and Herbs for Migraine – The Evidence
7 Natural Cures for Migraines
Image(s) courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Tags: Alternative migraine, migraine cure, migraine headaches, natural migraine, natural migraine treatments
Posted in Natural Migraine Treatments | No Comments »
Thursday, November 8th, 2012
There is no cure for migraines, but there are many natural migraine treatments that promote healthy responses in chronic headache patients of migraine disorder. Increasingly, migraine specialists agree that by implementing natural migraine treatments such as magnesium, butterbur, and riboflavin, many of their chronic migraine patients have reaped enormous health benefits in managing migraine symptoms.
Migraines are neurological
Migraines are a neurological disorder that occurs only in people who are genetically disposed to them. Migraineurs have “sensitized” nerves that react to various migraine triggers, such as food, alcoholic drinks, weather, hormones, and stress, by producing migraine attacks. Symptoms of migraine attacks include severe headache, nausea, vomiting, neck stiffness, visual distortions, fatigue, disorientation, and sudden speech difficulties. Many of these symptoms are targeted in popular natural migraine treatments, as we will see.
Also read: Migraine Nausea and Vomiting- 10 Natural Home Remedies
Migraine drug side effects
Anti-epilepsy drugs like Topamax, for example, can effectively block migraines by working as an anti-spasmodic. Long-term, Topamax can cause debilitating symptoms such as chronic fatigue, memory loss, dizziness, and disorientation. Sometimes, Topamax can even cause headaches.
Over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers, when used in excess, can have a rebound effect, essentially triggering more migraine headaches in the future. Many can also cause stomach or esophageal ulcers years later, or symptoms such as tinnitus (ear ringing).
For narcotic migraine treatments, there is always the danger of overdose or harmful drug interactions with other medications or foods.
Also read: Natural Migraine Remedies Surge with Prescription Drug Deaths
Natural migraine treatments
As mentioned, there is no “cure” for migraine disorder. Still, scientists have found that a wide variety of beneficial nutrients- vitamins, herbs, and minerals- may help migraine headache patients by targeting neurological, vascular, or psychological mechanisms in our bodies that have a profound effect on migraine frequency and severity.
Instead of curing migraines, many of these natural migraine treatments aid migraine sufferers by addressing each individual symptom, only without producing the harmful side effects associated with many prescription migraine drugs.
Used under doctor’s supervision, herbs, vitamins, and minerals such as butterbur and magnesium are perfectly safe for migraine patients of all ages, and can be used as a healthy complementary or alternative factor in migraine management.
Also read: Introducing Natural Ingredients for Migraines: What are the Benefits?
Stay tuned: In the next post, we will cover 25 popular natural migraine treatments used by alternative medicine professionals for patients of migraine attacks.
Please tell us…
What natural migraine treatments do you currently use?
Do you have any questions or suggestions? Please leave your comments below.
Share with your friends!
If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, Facebook, or Google+.
Like this? Read more:
6 Surprisingly Helpful Natural Ingredients for Migraines- Sweet and Spicy Tonics
Natural Migraine Remedies: 9 Must-Take Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs
Sources:
Little-known Herb Butterbur Cures Symptoms of Migraine Headaches
Supplements and Herbs for Migraine – The Evidence
7 Natural Cures for Migraines
Image(s) courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Tags: Alternative migraine, migraine attacks, migraine drugs, migraine headaches, natural migraine, natural migraine treatment
Posted in Natural Migraine Treatments | No Comments »
Tuesday, July 10th, 2012
If you want a natural solution to migraine woes like pain, indigestion, mental fatigue, and stress, then look no further than your kitchen cabinet! Here are some surprising beneficial properties of common kitchen spices and sweeteners.
#1- Cinnamon for “brain fog”
Cinnamon is stimulating! In a recent study on memory problems, people who chewed on cinnamon gum scored significantly better on memory tests than people who chewed on plain bubblegum. Experts reason that the scent has a rejuvenating effect on overall cognitive health- a boon for migraine sufferers who experience frequent forgetfulness.
Use it now! Does chewing gum give you a migraine? Use the beneficial properties of cinnamon to your advantage by purchasing a vial of cinnamon oil. Spill a few drops onto a sachet or dilute with water and dab onto your temples, and experience the instant mood-lifting, brain-clearing results!
#2- Basil for stress
When it comes to reducing stress levels, basil is the feel-good herb for migraine patients. Scientists credit its calming attributes to phytochemicals that may lower cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone that you produce when you’re under high stress, so cortisol-controlling nutrients like basil may be helpful for promoting a peaceful state of mind and managing migraines triggered by stress.
Use it now! Sprinkle some fresh basil into salad, casseroles, and migraine-friendly pasta dishes for a real boost of flavor and serenity!
#3- Ginger for PMS cramps
Are painful periods the bane of your migraineur existence? Ginger has powerful anti-inflammatory properties that scientists believe are helpful for alleviating PMS symptoms like painful tummy-muscle cramps.
Use it now! Make “ginger juice” by grinding fresh raw ginger root and squeezing the pulp through a garlic press, catching the potent extract in a small cup. Add it to tea, lemonade, or carrot salad.
The Painkilling Power of Ginger: Migraines and Beyond
#4- Cloves for sinus headaches
Cloves are helpful for clearing the sinuses of mucus and other irritants, which is a plus for people who suffer from migraines triggered by frequent sinus headaches.
Use it now! Seep a few whole cloves with a cinnamon stick for a spicy tea that’s good for respiratory health.
#5- Brown sugar for healthy weight
 Migraine drugs can have many negative side effects, and weight gain is one of them. If you gotta have your sugar with your coffee, then health experts suggest switching from refined white sugar to brown sugar. The richer, stronger taste will satisfy your sweet tooth with less.
Use it now! Sprinkle brown sugar on strawberries with lite sour cream. Try it instead of white sugar in recipes.
#6- Maple for tummy pains
Here’s another great sugar substitute, especially if migraine attacks include indigestion, constipation, and bloating. Maple syrup is a whole, natural food, so using it instead of processed corn syrup or table sugar is a wise choice for optimum digestive health.
Use it now! Maple syrup easily replaces corn syrup, honey, or molasses in recipes. When substituting maple syrup for white sugar, remember to reduce liquids by about ½ cup.
Please tell us…
Have you tried any of these natural kitchen tonics?
Do you know of any other great remedies not included here? If so, please share!
Do you have any questions or suggestions? Please leave your comments below.
Share with your friends!
If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, Facebook, or Google+.
Like this? Read more:
Sinus Headache Remedies from the Kitchen- Eat This, Not That
Migraine Nausea and Vomiting- 10 Natural Home Remedies
Sources:
Secret Natural Ingredient: Cinnamon Cures
The Sweet Benefits of Basil
How Ginger Soothes Muscles, Fights Cramps
4 Clever Uses for Cloves
What’s Sweet About Brown Sugar
The Sweet Perks of Maple Syrup
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Tags: Kitchen Cures for Migraines, migraine headaches, Natural migraine relief
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