YOGIC MANAGEMENT OF MIGRAINE / WHAT IS MIGRAINE? / TYPES, SIMPTOMS', CAUSES & TRIGGERS - PART-I

SWASTHYA SREE YOGA ACADEMY - HYDERABAD-TELANGANA-BHARAT-5000089
1.. INTRODUCTION:
Migraine is a Neurplogical Syndrome Characterized by altered bodily perceptions, headache and Nusea (Vomiting Sensation). The typical Migraine headache is unilateral and pulsating, lasting from 4 to 72 hours; approximately one third of the people who suffer Migraine headache perceive an Aura (the perceptual disturbance or symptom experienced by some migraine sufferers before a migraine headache) announcing the headache.
2. CLASIFICATION:
Migraine without aura and migraine with aura.
 Basilar Type Migraine: Basilar type migraine is uncommon, complicated by symptoms caused by brain dysfunction.
 Familial Hemiplegic Migraine: This is a migraine with genetic causes.
 Abdominal Migraine: It is a recurrent disorder of unknown origin, principally affecting children; episodes feature nausea, vomiting and moderate –to-severe central, abdominal pain.
 Menstrual Migraine: Patients having Migraine before or during the menstrual periods.
 Status Migrainosus: It is characterized by Migraine lasting more than 72 hours, with not more than four hours of relief during that period.
3. SIGNS & SIMPTOMS:
The Signs & Symptoms of Migraine vary among patients,. The four phases of Migraine attack listed below are common but not necessarily experienced by all migraine sufferers.
The Prodrome, Which occurs hours or days before the headache, this phase may consist of altered mood, irritability, depression, fatigue, yawning, excessive sleepiness, craving for certain food (Eg.Chocolate), stiff muscles (especially in the neck), constipation or diarrhea, increased urination and other visceral symptoms.
The typical migraine headache is unilateral, throbbing and moderate to severe and can be aggravated by physical activity. The pain may be bilateral at the onset or start on one side and become generalized and usually alternates sides from one attack to other to the next. The onset is usually gradual.
Nausea occurs in almost 90% patients, vomiting occurs in about one third of patients. Many patients experience sensory hyper excitability manifested photophobia (Symptoms excessive sensitivity to light and the aversion to sunlight), phonophobia (a fear of loud sounds), osmophobia (fear, aversion of psychological hypersensitivity to smells/odors) and prefer to be in a dark and quiet room.
The Post-drome Phase: The Patient may feel tired; have headache, cognitive difficulties, gastrointestinal symptoms, mood changes and weakness.
4. CAUSES: Migraine are thought to be caused by changes in chemicals of the brain particularly of chemical called Serotonin which decreases during a migraine. Low levels of Serotonin can make the blood vessels in a part of the brain spasm (suddenly contract), which makes them narrower. This may cause the Symptoms of Aura. Soon after, the blood vessels dilate (widen), which is brought to cause of headache. The reason for the drop in Serotonin is not yet fully understood. Menstrual migraine is experienced by women before having their period which is due to fall in estrogen hormone levels.
5. TRIGGERS:
Migraine attacks are associated with various trigger factors. They are:
 Emotional: These includes Stress, anxiety, tension, shock, depression & excitement.
 Physical: They include tiredness, poor quality of sleep, shift work, poor posture, neck or shoulder tension, travelling for a long period of time, low blood sugar.
 Dietary: They include lack of food (dieting), delayed or irregular meals, dehydration, alcohol, food additive tyramine, caffeine products, such as tea and coffee, specific foods such as chocolate, citrus fruit and cheese. When the person does not eat regular meals, the blood sugar levels fall. When a person eats sugary snake, blood sugar levels shoot up.
 Environmental: They include bright lights, flickering screens, such as a television or computer screen, smoking (or smoky rooms), loud noises, changes in climate such as changes in humidity or very cold temperatures, strong smells, a stuffy atmosphere.
 Medicinal: Some medicines that can trigger migraine, includes some types of sleeping tablets, the contraceptive pill, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which is sometimes used to treat the menopause.
MANAGEMENT: The practices which are helpful in the management of Migraine are as under:
 Kriyas: Jala Neti, Sutra Neti, Kunjal (Vamana Dhouti).
 Sukshma Vyayama: Selected practices for the problem.
 Asanas: Tadasana, Katichakrasana, Urdhwa Hasttotanasana, Ardha Chakrasana, Pavanamuktasana, Vajrasana, Ushtrasana, Vakrasana, Marjalasana, Mattsyasana, Bhujangasana, Makarasana, Shavasana.
 Pranayama: Nadishodhana Pranayama, Chandranadi Pranayama, Sitali, Ujjayi, Bhramari Pranayamas.
 Bandhas: Jalandhara Bhandha.
 Meditation: Breath Awareness, Om meditation or guided meditation focusing on the effected part.
 Yogic Diet: (Mitahara): Alkaline foods with less oil, salt and spice.