Here’s an observation- the more we learn about migraines, the more it seems that they behave a lot like allergies, only instead of the immune system being at fault, it’s the nervous system- a brain allergy?
The following is an opinion piece, and is no way meant to substitute for medical advice.
Accidentally eat a peanut butter cookie if you suffer from nut allergies, and you might end up in the hospital hyperventilating. For some, food allergies can cause an extreme reaction that can result in death.
Accidentally eat a yeasted chocolate cheese Danish (okay, so it wasn’t an accident) when you suffer from migraines, and you could still end up in the hospital, with a brain-crushing 5-alarm migraine attack that won’t go away without some help from ER.
Yet food allergies are part of an autoimmune disorder, and migraines are part of a genetic neurological brain disorder.
What does it say about our bodies that a seemingly innocent pastry can cause immense chronic pain, human suffering, and sometimes, death?
Here are a few interesting correlations that probably mean nothing at all to the medical world, but give us something to ponder about the complexity…and fragility of the human body in relation to illnesses such as migraines and other ilnesses.
Born dysfunctional?
As mentioned earlier, migraines and allergies alike are both results of a fundamental biological system that has gone awry, for reasons that no scientist is able to explain.
If you are born with a weakened immune system, then you are at risk for autoimmune problems such as Crohn’s disease, or allergic reactions to certain foods, weather, or pets. People who are severely allergic have multiple allergies to many different foods, not only one.
Similarly, patients born with migraines are genetically disposed to a neurological brain dysfunction that causes migraine attacks with aura or migraine headaches without aura. Also, an unusually high correlation exists between migraines and other nervous system illnesses, such as epilepsy and stroke.
Migraines are trigger-happy
We don’t know exactly what causes migraines or allergic reactions, but we do know that certain “triggers” make them more likely to happen.
The more allergens, or triggers, in your environment, the more likely you’re going to suffer respiratory problems, sniffling, headaches, and skin rashes.
Likewise, the more migraine triggers you have in your environment- factors like weather, scents, bright lights, noise, and stress- the more difficult it is to prevent migraine attacks.
In either case, trigger avoidance is one of the biggest challenges, especially when certain triggers like air pressure and humidity are impossible to avoid.
Avoiding Migraine Triggers- Here, There and Everywhere
Both require detective work
It would be great if your doctor could just take out a large magnifying glass, like Sherlock Holmes, and tell you exactly which foods you need to avoid and which medicines you need to take to prevent getting migraines or allergic reactions to food.
Unfortunately, like Sherlock on the trail of a dangerous suspect, your qualified specialist must run a gamut of experiments and procedures; test certain hypotheses and alienate any other conceivable threats in order to finally identify the perpetrator of such debilitating, pernicious ailments- crushing head pain, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, vertigo, muscle stiffness, and visual distortions.
After isolating and ruling out brain tumor, we are left with experimental migraine treatments that might, or might not work, that might or might not cause uncomfortable side effects like memory loss, nausea, brain fog, or hypertension.
Natural alternatives work
Unfortunately, the reality is that most people aren’t brilliant mastermind detectives, just people trying to keep up with the latest in migraine research and treatment options.
So until we have the solution to end all migraines, we must continue to treat migraine triggers much in the same way that we treat allergens- by avoiding them, at all costs.
Another natural way to support the immune system and reduce allergic reactions is by keeping healthy and taking lots of vitamin C and Echinacea.
Likewise, the best way to naturally boost neurological health in the presence of migraine disorder is by using natural vitamins, minerals, and herbs that benefit migraine patients- ingredients like vitamin B2 (riboflavin), Coenzyme Q10, butterbur, and magnesium.
Your turn!
What are your thoughts on migraine treatments?
Do you have any questions or suggestions? Please leave your comments below.
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