Ayurvedic Treatment for Migraine & Headache Relief: An Overview

MIGRAINE MANAGEMENT THROUGH THE LENS OF ARDHAVABEDHAKA IN AYURVEDA

Definition

Migraine treatment in Ayurveda offers a holistic approach to managing migraine pain and symptoms. According to Ayurveda, the root cause of migraines often lies in imbalances of the doshas, particularly vata and pitta. Ayurvedic practitioners emphasize the importance of addressing these imbalances through personalized treatment plans that include ayurvedic medicine, herbs, and therapies. Traditional Ayurvedic remedies for migraine, such as nasya and panchakarma treatment, aim to reduce migraine frequency and intensity while providing lasting relief. By incorporating stress management techniques, dietary adjustments, and the use of herbal remedies, individuals can effectively manage migraine episodes and improve their overall well-being. Ayurvedic treatment for migraine headaches not only focuses on alleviating symptoms but also on promoting long-term relief by addressing the root cause of this debilitating condition. There are 3 types of migraine • Migraine with Aura • Migraine without Aura • Complicated Migraine

Aggravating factor

• Dietary habits • Abnormal sleep patterns • Intake of spicy, oily foods • Hormonal changes can influence the frequency of migraine attacks. • Anxiety Depression • Exposure to bright light • Excessive physical activity

Symptoms

Classified into 4 Stages of migraine symptoms. 1. Prodromal Stage 2. Aural Stage 3. Headache Stage 4. Postdromal Stage Prodromal Stage Begins 12-36 hours before the Aural Stage and lasts for a duration of about 15-30 minutes • Excessive Yawning • Excitement • Depression • Fatigue • Food craving • Sweating • Anxiety Aural Stage Involvement of other systems is also seen in this stage, especially the nervous system. • Watering and blurring of eyes • Flashing of light • Zig-zag lines in front of the eyes • Ipsilateral nasal obstruction • Tinnitus in the ipsilateral side (ringing or buzzing sound in the ear without a stimulus)This Stage lasts for about 10-45 minutes

Headache Stage • This stage is characterized by unilateral headache on one side of the head, associated with anorexia, nausea, and sensitivity to light.vomiting, photophobia, phonophobia, and tinnitus • Pulsatile throbbing type of pain, moderate to severe in nature, often associated with migraine symptoms. • Worsens with activity Duration 4-72 hours Postdromal Stage Symptoms include • Fatigue • Depression • Mental stress • Anxiety • Irritability • Dizziness • Exhaustion Duration usually from 2 hours to a few days

How to diagnose?

• Detailed medical history • ICHD-3 (International Standards for confirming a headache is a migraine attack). • MIDAS (Migraine Disability Assessment) • HIT-6 (Headache Impact Test) • PedMIDAS (For children / Adolescents) • Keeping a Headache Diary can help identify triggers related to migraine attacks.

Treatment Protocol

Non-Medical Managements • Dietary changes • Lifestyle changes

• Counseling • Meditation or Yoga • Sleep hygiene • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Medical Management • NSAIDs • Beta-blockers, etc. • Pain-relieving medications • Anti-depressants

Dietary Habits to Prevent Migraine

• Have meals at regular intervals, do not skip meals.

• Drink a good amount of water, at least 2 liters daily

• Avoid foods like Aged chees, Processed Meat, Chocolate, Alcohol, Artificial sweeteners,Fermented drinks • Consider migraine migraine-friendly diet like fresh food, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains,olive oil, leafy vegetables, chia, and flaxseeds

Ayurvedic Approach to Migraine

Ardhavabedhaka

According to Acharyas, the pain in one half of the head, which is piercing and pricking, occurs atRegular intervals are called ardhavabedhaka

Nidana

Sandharana (suppression of natural urges), Divaswapna (daytime sleeping), Ratri jagarana(awakening during nighttime), Madya sevana (alcohol consumption), Uccha Bashana(talkingLoud noises, excessive exposure to dust, smoke, cold weather, and Asatmya Gandha (bad odor) can trigger a migraine attack.Atimaithuna (excessive sexual indulgence), Manasa Santapa (mental stress), etc.

Poorvaroopa and Roopa • Ardha shira shoola (Severe pain in half the side of the head) • Bedha/toda shoola(splitting piercing or throbbing pain) • Kanta Akshi Karna Parshwa Vedana (pain in eye, ear, temple, eyebrows) • Muhur muhur vedana (recurrent pain) • Chakshur dourbalya (visual disturbance/ eye strain) • Chardi (vomiting) • Brama (giddiness) • Daha (burning sensation in the head)

Chikitsa, or treatment, often includes ayurvedic therapies for migraine relief. Ardhavabedhaka is a yapya vyadhi which manageable but not easily curable. The treatment linemainly includes • Nidana parivarjana • Samshodhan chikitsa (Nasya karma can be advised) • Samshaman chikitsa(Treating with medications)

Pathya and Apathya

PATHYA	APATHYAS
Shali godhuma mudga ghrita ksheepa	Amla katu lavana vidari ahara
Foods like manda yusha kichadi	Sandanita ahara(fermented food)
Consuming vegetables like patola,shigru	Guru rooksha abishyandi ahara
Karavellaka. Fluids like ushnodaka,narikelajala	Upavasa atiyoga(excessive fasting)
Fruits like dadima,matulunga,narikela, and amra	Exposure to too much heat, dust, and loud sound
matravat ahara,nidra,vyayama	Bright light, divaswapna, ratrijagarana, and krodha can exacerbate migraine symptoms.
Yoga and pranayama	(day sleeping, waking up at night, excess anger)