Migraine – A Common but An Alarming Issue
Migraine has become a prevalent issue in recent times. This problem is characterized by a sharp and hammering pain, in either side of the head. This can either be asymptomatic or can come with alarming symptoms like blurred vision, anxiety, numbness or tingling sensation on that particular side of the body.
How migraine occurs?
Common environmental factors like allergies (due to food and other allergens), alcohol consumption, stress, hormonal disturbances (during menstruation or ovulation) and weather changes can lead to instability of blood vessels which is associated with the onset of migraine.
Onset of migraine can be described in three steps; initiation, progression and headache. Initiation generally requires multiple factors, but in some cases, a single factor can also be enough. Then these accumulated factors keep disturbing serotonin metabolism, and ultimately lead to a cascade event, known as migraine.
Diet and Migraine
The food we eat can either manage a disease or can make it worse. Similarly, adding foods that can maintain the stability of blood vessels and avoiding foods that can increase allergic reactions in the body, can help to prevent migraine from occurring again and again.
Food allergies can result in severe outcomes, including migraine. And, removal of such foods from diet has seem to be effective in reducing the intensity of this issue. Fermented food products (like cheese and alcohol), canned foods, food additives, chicken liver, chocolate and yeast are rich in allergy inducing compounds (histamine and tyramine), therefore limiting the consumption of these foods is recommended.
Consumption of whole grains, legumes, lean meat, fresh fruits and steamed vegetables is encouraged, as these foods do not cause any spike in blood sugar and keep the vessels stable. Eating small and frequent meals can also be helpful in preventing serotonin metabolism from any serious alteration.
Are dietary supplements helpful in migraine?
Dietary supplements may not help to overcome this issue, but these may support in managing symptoms related with migraine.
1. Magnesium
It is a Dietary supplement which contains appropriate amount of magnesium in it. Magnesium, as a mineral, is involved in more than 300 biochemical reaction in the body, including blood vessel stability and managing symptom-related migraine.
2. Nuroton
Nuroton is a Dietary supplement with a mixture of 5-HTP (a precursor for serotonin and melatonin), Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B3. These 3 nutrients are involved in managing mood swings, regulating serotonin levels and relieving stress. It is also a non-habit-forming supplement.
3. Melatonin and Melatonix
These drug-free and non-habit-forming dietary supplements have significant concentration of Melatonin, a sleep-inducing hormone. By having a good sleep throughout the night, it becomes very easy to tackle issues like migraine. And, these supplements can help in promoting restful and calm sleep.
Except for these recommended modifications, relaxing techniques can also help in relieving migraine symptoms. Doing so, will provide similar effects to drug therapies, and that too without any serious side effects to worry about.
References:
• https://www.healthline.com/health/migraine/migraine-vitamins
• https://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/vitamins-supplements-migraines
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9523054/
• https://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/how-managing-sleep-problems-can-prevent-migraines