Every ache and pain is a warning sign. I’ve often told my kids, “You are either going to make mistakes or learn lessons. If you don’t learn the lesson the first time the universe will kick you harder each time you make the same mistake until you learn the lesson.” This is true of your body as well. You must LISTEN to your body and work through the signs provided in order to remain healthy.
Migraines are the warning signs for various ailments. We will touch on several here and work through resolving the issues causing them.
Some people are genetically predisposed to migraines. If you are one of these lucky people, you must pay even more closely to your body. Before we touch on them, for those that don’t know, what are the differences between a headache and a migraine. That question is difficult to answer succinctly. Let’s start with the definitions.
Headache. From the MayoClinic website: Headache is pain in any region of the head. Headaches may occur on one or both sides of the head, be isolated to a certain location, radiate across the head from one point, or have a vise-like quality. A headache may appear as a sharp pain, a throbbing sensation or a dull ache. Headaches can develop gradually or suddenly, and may last from less than an hour to several days.
Migraine. From the MayoClinic website: A migraine is a headache that can cause severe throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation, usually on one side of the head. It’s often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Migraine attacks can last for hours to days, and the pain can be so severe that it interferes with your daily activities. For some people, a warning symptom known as an aura occurs before or with the headache. An aura can include visual disturbances, such as flashes of light or blind spots, or other disturbances, such as tingling on one side of the face or in an arm or leg and difficulty speaking.
Simply put, a migraine is a headache with additional sensory challenges. Some migraines don’t hurt at all.
Time to discuss types and ways to manage and heal. I won’t hit on all types, but will work through the most common ones and touch on some of the more unusual types.
Stress or Tension Type Migraine. Location: Across the forehead or on the sides and back of the head. Tenderness in the scalp, neck and shoulder muscles. Cause: Stress, agitation, tightness of muscles, depression, fear. Resolution: Find ways to reduce your stress. Resolve the trauma that causes bad choices and stress to your body. Aids: Peppermint oil rubbed on the base of the scalp, deep tissue massage of shoulders and neck, acupuncture / acupressure, chiropractic services.
Sinus Migraine. Location: Sinuses – around the eyes, cheeks, forehead and bridge of nose. Cause: Allergies and small sinus cavities. Allergies may not just be seasonal allergies, but also food and other things like dust, mold and mildew. Resolution: Manage allergies. Keep a food / allergy journal to determine what type of allergies you have. 1 teaspoon of local raw honey each day will aid in reducing your seasonal allergies. Managing mold, mildew and dust in your home by dusting and washing bedding properly will aid in reducing other types of allergies. Drink enough water to flush your body of the histamine. Aids: In a dutch oven or other large pot fill with water and add Eucalyptus oil. Bring to a boil and maintain at a gentle boil – adding more water and oil as needed. This will help open your lungs and clear your sinus cavities.
Cluster Migraine. A cluster migraine comes on fast and is one of the most painful. They are called “cluster” migraines because they occur in clusters, and most often in the same location over and over again. Location: behind or around one eye, but may radiate to other areas of your face, head and neck. Cause: They seem to be related to the sudden release of histamine or serotonin in the body. The following may trigger cluster headaches: Alcohol use or smoking cigarettes, high altitude changes, bright lights, exercise or exertion, heat – either weather or a bath, and foods that contain nitrates, such as bacon or deli meat. Resolution: Increase melatonin levels – many people with cluster migraines are low. Get tested and ensure that you have the proper levels. Capsaicin cream is a topical analgesic that has been shown to reduce the severity of cluster headaches. Apply with a q-tip to the inside of the nose. Magnesium may also be beneficial. Many people are low, and this has also been shown to reduce the severity of the migraine. Word of caution – Magnesium must be taken in proper proportions with D3 to be absorbed into the body. Be careful how much you are consuming either through salt baths (Epsom salts) or dietary supplements. You don’t want to overdose yourself. Aids: 1 teaspoon sugar, if that doesn’t work, a pinch of salt under the tongue.
Migraine. Location: usually on only one side of the head. Cause: Stress, agitation, tightness of muscles, depression, fear, lack of sleep, skipping meals, alcohol use, hormone changes, bright or flashing lights, processed meats, aged cheeses, medical ailments. Resolution: A non-defined migraine can have many causes and the resolutions are varied. All the resolutions above pertain. An allergy journal is quite beneficial to determine if your food is the cause. Get checked by a doctor to see if you have any medical conditions that would be causing the migraines. Have your hormone levels checked. Hormone levels, low minerals and stress are the top three migraine causes. Aids: All the aids above pertain. Once you understand the why, it is easier to determine how to resolve.
Ocular Migraine. These are rare, but I included here as I have personally had them. They may or may not have pain associated. Mine was pain-free. It appeared as mirrored C shapes with prisms of light tunneling down. Mine lasted about five minutes (WHILE I was driving!) Location: in the retina or behind the eye. Cause: reduced blood flow or spasms of the blood vessels in the retina of the eye. It is recommended that you visit a doctor whether or not you have pain with an ocular migraine as the lack of blood flow can cause permanent vision loss. Other reasons can be a minor / major stroke, and other conditions that reduce your body’s clotting ability. Aids: None.
Rare Migraines.
Hemiplegic Migraine. Weakness on one side of your body. Similar to a stroke and isn’t easy to diagnose.
Aural Migraine. This overlays any other type of a migraine. 70 – 75% of migraine sufferers will not have auras present. Auras can have a visual representation, a sensitivity to light and smell, and can give you the feel of walking through cotton.
Vestibular Migraine.This form causes vertigo as it affects the inner ear.
I hope this helps! Blessings to all. E