MIGRAINE IN AYURVEDA

Migraine is a headache that can cause severe throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation ,usually on one side  of the head which lasts for 2 hrs-72hrs.It’s often accompanied by nausea, vomiting and extreme sensitivity  to light and sound. According to WHO ,3rd most common disease in the world. Migraine In Ayurveda is  described as Ardhavabhedaka (half sided headache)which is a major health issue explained by  commentator chakrapani .

Causative factors: 

In basic concepts of ayurveda,vata pitta and kapha are the 3 fundamental energies or principles which  govern the function of our body on physical and emotional level. Vata controls the nervous system and  brain activity.Migraine in ayurveda has been explained as Vata predominant tridosa vyadhi. 

• So imbalance of vatadi dosha occurs due to improper diet and lifestyle. 
• Imbalance of pitta dosha which impairs digestion leading to the production of metabolic  impurities called ama 
• Vata alone or along with kapha mobilized to the head and neck region by vayu and other dosas  leads to severe headache. 

Vataja: 

1. Vataja vardhaka aharas,allergic reactions,loud noises,odours or perfumes ,physical /emotional  stress ,changes in sleep patterns,smoking and alcohol habits,extreme cold conditions. 
2. Suppression of natural urges,excess of sexual activity,fasting and fever. 

 Pittaja: 

1. Intake of spicy food ,Junk foods,alcohol consumption,exposure to sunlight ,stress and pittaja  vardhaka aharas. 

Kaphaja: 

1. Intake of heavy food ,processed food and drinks,dairy products,fermented foods,lack of  exercises,increased sleep at day time ,frequent intake of food before digestion of previous meal and  drinking of cold water. 

Symptoms: 

1. a) There are important symptoms in the concept of migraine in ayurveda are Constipation,dryness  of skin,burning sensation of eyes ,nausea,fatigue. 
2. b) When Vatadi dosas are vitiated there will be severe pain in forehead,eyes,ears(unwanted  sounds can be heard),eyebrows which radiates to neck and shoulder of the same side  .Migraine attacks are more often during the time of menstrual period and loss of appetite  headaches lasts for 3-4 hrs but in worst cases the pain lasts for 2-3 days as well. 
3. c) In pittaja ,pain will be severe in day time and less pain in night time. 

Migraine according to Ayurveda:

• Ayurveda believes in treating at its root cause from within.Treatment focus on balancing  the vitiated doshas in digestive and nervous system and can be achieved by avoiding  triggering factors and following doshic specific diet in migraine according to Ayurveda. 

            Migrain treatment in Ayurveda :

• Migraine in ayurveda,first of all shodana karma is required for pacification such as  nasyam,mrudu shodana,Basti,shirobasti,shirodhara,kavala graha and other internal  medicines also. 
• If vitiated doshas which located in nasal pores we do shirovirechana chikitsa. 
• If doshas are thick in Shiras we do swedana which liquefies the dosas and expels them     out.
•  Depends on sthana we do sthanika lepam. 

Migraine according to modern science- 

• Suppressing migraine pain with NSAIDS and analgesics gives short time relief and the  pain can rebound. 
• Dependence on medicines reduces natural pain and long term dependence can  damage kidneys or other vital organs. 

Do’s and Dont’s of migraine in Ayurveda: 

1. Drink more water,eat more fiber,fruits ,vegetables and whole grams.
2. Avoid  Excess sugar,caffeine,and tea  and otherwise it may lead to aggravation of pitta causing migraine attacks .. 
3. Stress management. 
4. Avoid direct exposure to the sun as migraine headaches will increase. 
5. Simple yoga and meditation practices can be rectified. 
6. Maintaining regular sleep timing (6-7 hrs) 

So these practices help to achieve complete treatment as well as control of migraine in  Ayurveda.