Migraines
Migraines
There are various types of migraines that have their own symptoms.
Migraines without aura
Lasts 4 to 72 hrs, usually affects one side of head with pulsating or throbbing pain. It can worsen with activity. It can cause feelings of nausea and some people may vomit or have diarrhoea. Also light and/or sound sensitivity is common.
Migraines with aura
Causes visual disturbances which can include seeing coloured spots, blind spots, flashing lights before eyes, seeing stars or sparkles, zig zag lines, tunnel vision or possible temporary blindness. Other neurological symptoms can develop which include pins and needles in legs and arms, tingling, numbness, dizziness, weakness on one side of the body, a spinning feeling like vertigo. Also some people experience feelings of confusion or fear, some people speech and hearing is affected, as well as memory changes.
Migraines with brainstem aura
This was formerly known as basilar-type migraine and is a rare subtype of migraines with auras. While like a migraine with aura it includes at least two of the following symptoms – Tinnitus, Double visions, speech slurred, vertigo, transient impairment of consciousness, simultaneous bilateral visual aura, pins and needles and/or numbness.
Chronic migraine
Defined as having a daily chronic headache that occurs more than 15 days per month over a period of 3 months. Another sub-type of this type is episodic migraine which is defined as experiencing headaches less than 15 days per month. This type of migraine can be very debilitating and have a major impact on everyday life. There can be multiple triggers from hormones, food intolerances, bright lights, caffeine or sleep deprivation.
Menstrual migraine
Associated with falling levels of oestrogen, it is a specific condition that is linked to the menstrual cycle.
Hemiplegic migraine
This rare condition is also referred to as migraine variant. It causes temporary weakness on one side of the body during a migraine attack. Numbness, pins and needles, vision problems, confusion, or speech difficulties are also parts of the attack. The head pain typically follows the weakness. It is caused when there is a dysfunction in the neurotransmitter pathways.
Vestibular migraine
Has a combination of balance problems, dizziness or vertigo with typical migraine symptoms such as headaches, light sensitivity, nausea and/or vomiting.
Abdominal migraine
This may be associated with migraines, and is most commonly seen in children. Adults who do experience this type of migraine and in the past diagnosed with IBS, non-specific dyspepsia, and functional abdominal pain and now thought to have experienced abdominal migraine.
Other Migraine/Headache disorders
These include cyclical vomiting syndrome, which is associated with migraine, migraines induced by exercise, Tension-type headache, cluster headaches, medication-overuse headache, high altitude headaches to name just a few.
How it affects everyday life
No-one likes feeling sick, and it can leave you feeling miserable. Immune conditions can affect your everyday life, from having a few bad days to leaving you completely debilitated, with little to no quality of life.
Treatment
Herbal medicine has treated migraines and headaches throughout the centuries. Depending on the type of migraine a person experiences, depends on the herbs that will be in the herbal prescription. Herbs that have anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-nausea actions usually make up the basis of most herbal prescriptions. Implementing dietary changes helps and dealing with stress are generally very important in the treatment of migraines regardless of the type.
How long is the Average Treatment?
It is difficult to determine how long it will take any individual to start seeing results, it usually depends on the following:
- How you react to herbs
- Your compliance to taking the herbs and making the recommended changes
- How long you have had the condition
- The severity of the condition
What you need to do?
Please be prepared that it takes time for the herbs to work. Herbal medicine does not work like pharmaceutical drugs. They often require some time, especially as they tend to work gently and subtly. This is not a quick fix.
Please be willing to work with me, take the medication as prescribed and make the changes which are attainable as well as practical.
How I will help you
Make a treatment plan by creating short term and long terms goals
Identify areas in your life that may be negatively impacting your health.
Give you practical and attainable changes, with lots of support along the way.
Emotional Support along this journey, helping you to help keep on track.