Migraines / Headache

Migraines, more than just headaches, are intricate puzzles that affect millions worldwide. In this exploration, we delve into the diverse facets of migraines, encompassing demographics, causes, symptoms, and natural remedies to unlock the secrets behind this often debilitating condition.

Migraines are not discriminatory; they can affect anyone, but certain demographics are more prone. Women are three times more likely to experience migraines than men, with a peak prevalence during the reproductive years. Family history also plays a significant role, indicating a genetic predisposition. Migraines can emerge in childhood and adolescence, persisting into adulthood. Roughly 12% of Americans get migraine headaches.

Common Triggers

The causes of migraines are many, often involving a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Triggers vary among individuals but can include hormonal fluctuations, certain foods (like aged cheese, chocolate, and caffeine), sensory stimuli (bright lights, loud noises), stress, muscle tension and changes in sleep patterns. Understanding these triggers is crucial in managing and preventing migraines.

Symptoms: Beyond the Headache

While intense, throbbing headaches are a hallmark, migraines extend beyond mere head pain. Visual disturbances, known as auras, may precede the headache phase. Nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, and cognitive impairment, referred to as the "migraine hangover," can accompany and persist after the headache subsides. A migraine isn’t just a “bad headache” - it feels a lot like a horrible hangover from too much bad alcohol - your whole body feels sick.

Natural Relief

While migraines can be tough to stop once they’ve started, there are several ways to break the pattern, nutritionally.

1. Hydration and Diet
   The basics - maintaining good hydration (dehydration is a leading cause of basic headaches, too) and eating a healthy, balanced diet can help regulate blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of triggering migraines. Fluctuations in blood sugar (going from high to low) are an important cause of migraines too.
2. Magnesium
   Magnesium supplementation may be beneficial, as deficiencies have been linked to migraines.  Research has shown that taking daily magnesium supplements can be effective at preventing headaches/migraines.
3. Omega-3 fats
   Derived from fish oil, omega-3's have been shown to reduce and/or eliminate migraines in several studies. Omega-3’s in Pure Omega-3 Fish Oil have numerous additional health benefits making them an essential part of a daily health and migraine prevention regimen.
4. Inflammation Relief contains a systemic enzyme formula that breaks down the pain-generating chemicals your body makes in response to trauma and tissue damage.
5. Vitamin D is important for prevention of many health conditions; migraines are another we can add to this list. Lower levels of Vitamin D are associated with migraines. If you haven’t had your levels tested yet, you need to! Having sufficient vitamin D levels may provide you with relief from your migraines. Look for blood levels right around 50 ng/dL!
6. B vitamins such as B-2 (riboflavin), B-6 (pyridoxine) and B-12 can eliminate migraines when supplemented with Omega-3 oil and CoQ10.
7. CoEnzyme Q10 is a vitamin-like compound that plays a role in energy production inside the cells of the body. There are studies showing that migraines may be caused by a deficiency in the production of this naturally occurring compound. Supplementing with CoQ10 can help prevent migraines quite significantly.

While migraines may be complex, the holistic approach to managing them empowers individuals to regain control and find solace in natural solutions.