Migraine is truly a persistent headache that does not always go away after taking a painkiller… Moreover, it is often a severe and recurring pain. Like any ailment, it has its source, the identification of which allows symptoms to be alleviated or the problem eliminated. It is not as simple as it may seem, but it is possible. Let's get to it!
What is migraine and who does it affect?
Migraine is classified as a chronic disease, manifesting itself as severe, throbbing, paroxysmal and periodically recurring headache. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to identify the source of the problem unambiguously, but that does not mean it is not worth learning about the possible causes and the obvious warning signs of our condition. On the contrary, it will make it possible to take appropriate action.
It is problematic because a regular painkiller usually does not bring relief, or at least not relief that is noticeable enough to make a clear difference. This is especially true since severe pain can be accompanied by other symptoms of an autonomic nature - sensitivity to noise, nausea, and a general feeling of being unwell (low mood).
Migraine is characterised by a distinctive, recurring pain usually located on one side of the head and throbbing in the temporal, frontal, or behind-the-eye area. The average duration of an attack is from 4 to even 72 hours.
In addition, the interval between attacks is not regular – another attack may follow one, or we may experience a break lasting several days, several weeks, or even several months. Moreover, there are cases in which sufferers struggle with persistent migraines for 10 or 20 years.
It is worth knowing, however, that the first attacks mostly occur before the age of 40. Many sufferers have encountered migraine headaches at a fairly young age. According to experts, if we have not experienced the problem before, the risk of it occurring after the age of 50 is relatively low, albeit not zero.
Experts emphasise that migraine is a neurological disorder that affects 12-15% of the population in highly developed countries. Some sources even give 20%. The fact is that the problem affects women much more often – even three times more often than men.
What is migraine associated with and what is the cause of the problem?
It is worth knowing that, apart from the typically autonomic symptoms, there may also be other symptoms of a vegetative nature.
In addition, during attacks there are disturbances of a strictly neurovascular nature. We experience dilation of the cerebral blood vessels as a result of the release from nerve endings of, among other things, the neuropeptide CGRP and nitric oxide, which intensify the phenomenon.
And what about the cause? On the one hand, scientists maintain that the disease is genetically determined, although that does not mean it cannot have another basis. A very good example is food intolerances, high exposure to stress, or various types of infections. They can lead to inflammation, which in turn leads to a deficiency of serotonin.
Studies confirm that many sufferers have been found to have low levels of the aforementioned hormone. This is also associated with increased pain sensitivity and a more severe course of migraine attacks. Another cause scientists consider is a deficiency of vitamin D in the body. Another point is that deficiency states of this nutrient are quite common. A significant part of society struggles with its deficiency or is at the lower limit. In Poland this is to some extent determined by geographical location in terms of sunlight, although lifestyle and eating habits play a major role. Either way, people suffering from migraines have been observed to have much lower levels of vitamin D (compared with healthy people).
As I mentioned, migraine can have various causes. Nevertheless, it is good to carry out specific tests to rule out certain factors and, in the end, determine those that are actually problematic. Prevention is also important, as are measures that alleviate symptoms, but do not mask them.
It is worth knowing that inadequate body recovery can intensify the phenomenon and lead to it being triggered again. Moreover, in the case of women, the problem may be changes during menstruation, or long-term contraception leading to hormonal disturbances.
Depending on the nature of the problem, there may be dietary contraindications. Simply put, some foods intensify attacks or even provoke them. This concerns tyramine content (tyrosine derivatives), the high concentration of which is recorded in sufferers – they impair the secretion of the MAO enzyme.
Another example is histamine content, especially in people with intolerance. Here, mainly a deficiency of the DAO enzyme is noted. In such people, forbidden products (e.g. alcohol or pickled cucumbers and sauerkraut) may provoke headaches and migraine attacks.
What measures and actions can help with migraine?
- supplementation with vitamin D3 (in combination with K2 MK-7),
- limiting products and supplements containing arginine and other substances that increase nitric oxide levels,
- supplementation with adaptogens increasing stress resistance and having anti-inflammatory effects (e.g. Rhodiola rosea),
- extracts from Garcinia mangostana,
- evening primrose,
- acetylsalicylic acid,
- limiting / eliminating irritating products,
- an adequate amount of B vitamins (especially B2),
- infusions of chamomile,
- infusions of yarrow,
- anti-inflammatory diet,
- adequate hydration and recovery (sleep quantity and quality),
- moderate physical activity,
- taking care of the microflora and gut integrity.
