Migraines - Causes and Natural Cures.

Migraine is one of the most common health conditions in the world—more prevalent than diabetes, epilepsy and asthma combined. An estimated 13 percent of the world’s population suffer with migraines.

An observational study recently found that people who get migraines have a different blood vessel structure in their brains compared to those who do not get migraines, causing greater asymmetry in hemispheric cerebral blood flow.

Environmental factors appear to play a significant role in triggering a migraine attack. This includes certain foods and drinks, hormonal changes, stress, external stimuli like scents or lights, dehydration and changes in sleep cycle.

Both aspartame and MSG are notorious for causing headaches and triggering migraines. Aspartame can also trigger other neurological symptoms such as visual disturbances and tingling in the extremities.

Preventing migraines begins by avoiding the triggers. Most often this means eating healthy whole foods (avoiding most processed ones) and managing your stress effectively.

The following key factors apply to anyone wanting to achieve migraine relief through diet:

• Eliminate all gluten products.
• Eliminate all artificial sweeteners, especially aspartame. 
• Focus on unprocessed, whole foods, eaten raw or only lightly cooked (ideally, try to eat at least one-third of your food raw, or as much as you can manage).
• Organically grown produce, and grass-fed or pastured animal products that are free from additives and genetically engineered ingredients.
• Carbohydrates primarily come from vegetables (except corn and potatoes, which should typically be avoided). Dramatically lowering your intake of non-vegetable carbs could improve leptin and insulin signaling which could also improve migraines.
• Food from high-quality, local sources.

That said, should a migraine strike and you need immediate relief, you could try one or more of the following:

• Stimulate your body's natural painkilling ability. By putting pressure on a nerve just under your eyebrow, you can cause your pituitary gland to release painkilling endorphins immediately.
• Take anywhere from 1/2 to 3 teaspoons of cayenne pepper in an 8 oz glass of water (hot or cold). Endorphins are released by your brain when the cayenne hits your stomach lining. Another alternative is to swallow a dollop of wasabi paste.
• Hot/Cold compress: Alternate hot and cold compresses on your forehead and/or behind your neck.
• Green apple scent. One study found that the scent significantly relieved migraine pain. This may also work with other scents that you enjoy so consulting with an aromatherapist may be beneficial.
• Massage your ears, ear lobes, and the "crown" of your head -- the ring of muscles that circle your head where a crown would sit.

Dominick Hussey

Osteopath and Functional Medicine Practitioner

Ottawa Health Wellness Centre

Source: Mercola.com